Every Michigan fan knows the quote, “Those who stay will be champions” made famous by football coach Bo Schembechler. Those words rang true again today, this time for Michigan’s ice hockey team, claiming the 2021 Ice Breaker Championship defeating the Minnesota State Mavericks. The 4-team tournament took place this weekend at Amsoil Arena, home of the University of Minnesota-Duluth hockey teams.
Minnesota-Duluth is currently facing off against Providence to settle third place.
The #3 Michigan Wolverines’ road through the tournament went through two other top 5 ranked opponents both from the “State of Hockey.” Friday, the Wolverines rolled through the #5 ranked University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Michigan fell behind 1-0 in the first period, and then proceeded to score 5 unanswered, skating to a 5-1 finish. One of those 5 included Luke Hughes’ first college goal.
The Championship game took place tonight, UofM vs the #1 ranked Minnesota State University Mavericks. The tightly contested game was back-and-forth until the toward end of the third when Sophomore Brendan Brisson does what he does, and gives Michigan the lead, which turned out to be the final.
There is no reason to believe this Michigan team will not be #1 when the new rankings come out next week. Two wins against two top 5 teams in as many days is very impressive. I asked in an earlier blog, What Michigan based college team are you most excited to watch.. and why is it Michigan? This weekend tournament said it perfectly.
This team has 5 players that were selected in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, 4 players that were taken in the top 5. 3 of the 4, Power, Beniers and Johnson, played for Michigan last year and decided to return to play for the Maize and Blue. Hughes and Samoskevich joined as Freshman from the USHL. Go Blue!
1st Pick: Owen Power (selected by the Buffalo Sabres)
2nd Pick: Matty Beniers (selected by the Seattle Kraken)
4th Pick: Luke Hughes (selected by the New Jersey Devils)
5th Pick: Kent Johnson (selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets)
24th Pick: Mackie Samoskevich (selected by the Florida Panthers)
Those Who Stay Will Be Champions
Bo Schembechler
The Morning Skate 