Hockey Preview: Michigan Returns to Ohio State in Frozen Confines

The No. 9 Michigan Wolverines (11-6-1) are back after the winter break and will face No. 13 State of Ohio (13-4-1) this weekend. Unlike most college hockey series, this one is special. Not just because it's Ohio State, but because the two teams will play at Wrigley Field on Friday as part of the Frozen Confines series before returning to Yost on Sunday.

The Buckeyes enter the weekend on a four-game winning streak. Despite being a better team at home than away, Ohio State remains one of the surprises of the Big Ten this season, thanks in large part to an influx of talent from a pair of transfers.

Led by Northeastern transfer forward Gunnarwolfe Fontaine (7G, 11A), objectively the best name in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes have transformed into a top-15 scoring offense and a top-six team in terms of scoring margin.

Defensively, RIT transfer Aiden Hansen-Bukata (1G, 16A) was the best player for Ohio State and one of the best period players in the Big Ten. Hansen-Bukata leads the team with a rating of +11 and is only one point behind Fontaine for team leader. Additionally, he ranks third on the team with 22 blocked shots and provides a two-way presence the Buckeyes haven't seen in years.

In net, Kristoffer Eberly appears to have defeated Logan Terness as the strongest down the stretch. Eberly has been nothing short of outstanding this season. The sophomore ranks sixth nationally in the Big Ten in save percentage (.941) and first nationally in goals against average (1.35). Eberly is likely a finalist for the Richter Award and will be the toughest test the Wolverines have faced between the pipes all season.

For Michigan, it's about starting a new streak. The Wolverines have looked like the best team in the country at times this season (see the six-game winning streak, including a road sweep over Boston) and one of the most frustrating (see the three-game scoreless streak). Michigan was a team under head coach Brandon Naurato in the second half of the season, and will need to be again to capture a historic fourth straight Frozen four.

Offensively, Michigan needs a real star to emerge. Freshman Michale Hages (18 points (10G, 8A)) led the team, but he struggled to find his footing against more physical teams. While this team has more depth than previous teams, the Wolverines also lack a true No. 1 forward who can take over when the team needs a spark (e.g. Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, Adam Fantilli, Matty Beniers).

USNTDP forward Will Horcoff, who joined the team during the break, wants to accelerate Hage's starring role. Horcoff's numbers won't blow anyone away: 11 goals and eight assists in 54 games, but the fact that he's left-handed could open up the ice and power play for a Michigan team dominated by right-handed shooters.

Defensively, the Wolverines must find a way to replace Tim Lovell. Lovell, who transferred to Michigan this offseason, abruptly left the program at the end of November and has left a void of physicality and discipline. Will Felicio (1G, 3A) has filled in nicely and captain Jacob Truscott (3G, 7A) has developed into an unexpected attacking contributor. However, Michigan needs to find some two-way reliability to replace what Lovell provided defensively and stay out of the box. Those last six words may be the most crucial for a team struggling offensively.

In net, Michigan will likely continue its goalie rotation until the Big Ten Tournament. Former league leader Logan Stein (.893 SV%) hasn't won a game since November and has seen his numbers drop to zero. However, context is needed as Stein has really been the victim of incredibly inconsistent defense against him.

His counterpart, freshman Cameron Korpi, wasn't helped by Saturday's strongest defensive effort, but his .904 save percentage could show him the way if he were to start in the postseason. Starting this weekend, the goalkeeper of the future is on the line.

Game 1

When: Friday, January 3, 5:00 PM ET

Where: Wrigley Field (Frozen Confines)

How to watch: Big Ten Network

How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network

Game 2

When: Sunday, January 5, 5:00 PM ET

Where: Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, MI

How to watch: BIG+

How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network