Michigan Upsets No. 1 Michigan State in Overtime Thriller

Yost Ice Arena played host to another epic chapter in the storied rivalry between the University of Michigan and Michigan State, as the tenth-ranked Wolverines battled back from multiple deficits to defeat the top-ranked Spartans 3-2 in overtime on Friday night (Jan. 17). The lone meeting in Ann Arbor this season delivered high drama, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Veteran goaltender Logan Stein took the net for Michigan, making his fourth collegiate start against MSU after previous appearances with Ferris State. Despite surrendering an early goal, Stein found his rhythm and delivered a stellar performance, stopping 35 of 37 shots against one of the most potent offenses in the nation.

The Spartans struck first just 2:04 into the game when a shot from the corner snuck through Stein’s pads, giving MSU an early 1-0 advantage. Things got tense when defenseman Ethan Edwards was injured and penalized at 5:42, leading to a Michigan penalty kill. Fortunately for the Wolverines, they successfully killed the penalty, and Edwards returned to the ice.

Michigan had its first power play opportunity at 12:14 but failed to convert. The Wolverines’ best chances in the first period came from sophomore forward Evan Werner, who nearly found the back of the net during a pair of scrambles in front. Despite their efforts, Michigan trailed 1-0 at the first intermission, with MSU holding a 15-7 edge in shots and a 10-5 advantage in faceoffs.

Momentum shifted in the second period when freshman defenseman Hunter Hady drew a power play at 11:09 after a big hit prompted a retaliatory slash from an MSU player. Michigan wasted no time capitalizing, as Werner fired a one-timer from the left circle that was tipped in by Will Horcoff, leveling the score at 1-1 with 8:34 left in the period. Edwards earned the secondary assist on the play. Horcoff, a rising star, has now recorded five points in as many games.

With the score tied after two periods, MSU maintained a 27-17 shot advantage, though Michigan gained ground in the faceoff department. The Spartans regained the lead at 8:35 of the third period when a breakaway goal put them ahead 2-1. Michigan responded at 14:25 when T.J. Hughes buried a backhander from the slot, evening the game at 2-2. Tyler Duke and Jackson Hallum assisted on the goal, with Hallum’s deflection setting up Hughes perfectly.

Regulation ended with the score still tied, and the game headed to overtime. MSU finished regulation with a 37-30 shot advantage and a narrow 34-32 lead in faceoffs after Michigan’s late push.

In overtime, the Wolverines rolled out a three-skater unit featuring Hughes, Garrett Schifsky, and captain Jacob Truscott. Hughes carried the puck along the right wing before threading a perfect pass to Schifsky in the slot, who hammered home the game-winner just one minute into the extra session. The Wolverines erupted in celebration, with Schifsky channeling past Michigan greats Carl Hagelin and Zach Werenski with a violin-themed celebration.

The victory secured Michigan two crucial points in the Big Ten standings and marked the second straight overtime clash between the rivals, following the legendary 3-3 draw in the “Cold War” game on October 6, 2001.

The series continues Saturday night (Jan. 18) in East Lansing, where the teams will conclude their home-and-home set. The game will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m.