As the Frozen Four approaches, here are five Wolverines to watch for
As the Frozen Four approaches, here are five Wolverines to watch for
Having been eliminated in the Frozen Four semifinals by the eventual national champions last season, the Wolverines are out for revenge.
While some key players from last year's team such as Luke Hughes turned pro, Michigan still has weapons up and down their lineup that can make the opposition pay when given the opportunity.
Heading into their game against Boston College, here are five Wolverines to watch for.
1. Rutger McGroarty
While he has been held pointless in his last two games (against North Dakota and Michigan State), McGroarty is primed to make an impact in what could be his last two NCAA games before he signs with the Jets.
With a total of 52 points in 35 games this season, McGroarty has been as reliable as they come for the Wolverines. A big-framed power forward, he has the ability to beat the opposition in a myriad of ways.
McGroarty is always scanning the ice, with or without the puck, to put himself into situations where he can create scoring chances. Every puck touch has a purpose with him, whether he is using give and go's to advance the puck into open space or finding teammates through seams.
While Michigan will face a tall task as they taken on the Eagles, if they manage to sneak by, McGroarty will have played a big part.
2. Gavin Brindley
The leader point getter on Michigan this season, Brindley has made the Columbus Blue Jackets look like thieves for grabbing him in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
In his second season with the Wolverines, he has put up an impressive 25 goals and 53 points in 39 games. Brindley is coming off an impressive performance against the Spartans that saw him score and add an assist in a 5-2 win to help them advance to the Frozen Four.
Brindley has the ability to make an impact at both ends of the ice, which has seen him be relied upon by Brandon Naurato and his staff in big moments. He closes gaps in the defensive zone, pressuring the puck carrier and forcing them to move the puck quickly. He does a good job at limiting pucks through the middle of the ice and is not afraid to step into shooting lanes.
Brindley's energy translates to the offensive zone as well, where he routinely chases after loose pucks and initiates contact in the corners. He scans the ice and is able to find open space where he can present himself as a shooting option.
By being one of Michigan's most reliable offensive options, Brindley is bound to see himself covered by the Eagles' top players. If he can still find a way to impact the game and find his way on the scoresheet, Michigan may very well be on their way to redeeming themselves and finding themselves in the national championship game.
3. Dylan Duke
The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect has been one of the the most important Wolverines over the course of the season and has shown up when it mattered most.
With an impressive 49 points in 40 games this season, Duke has been on fire over the last three games, scoring five goals and adding two assists to help the Wolverines to the Frozen Four.
In the team's most recent game against the Spartans, Duke had a season-high eight shots on goal, while also collecting three points. His first of two goals on the night ended up being the game winner.
Duke thrives in the areas around the net, where he battles to establish positioning in front and does a great job finding rebounds and tipping home pucks. In the clip below, he was able to go undetected to the front of the net and showed off his impressive hand-eye coordination to tip home an insurance marker for the Wolverines.
The Eagles will have to limit Duke's ability to find space in front o the net if they want to immobilize him but that will be a tough task to accomplish - especially if Duke has anything to say about it.
4. Seamus Casey
The leading point-getter from the blue line this season for the Wolverines, Casey has been making his presence felt in the offensive zone.
While the New Jersey Devils prospect has been quiet over the last two games, Casey has still managed to average more than a point per game over the course of the season, with a current total of 45 points in 39 games played.
What makes Casey so dangerous with the puck is how comfortable he is with it on his stick. He walks the blue line in the offensive zone with ease, scanning the ice for open lanes while mixing it little feints to get defenders to bite. He has great hands in tight and regularly looks to attack downhill to create scoring chances for himself.
Take this goal he scored against Quinnipiac in last year's Frozen Four semifinal as an example of his confidence with the puck. Casey attacked through middle of the ice, drawing three defenders as he enters the offensive zone. Even through the pressure, he is able to beat the defender with a quick move to the outside and drive the net where slid the puck into the open net.
Casey missed the Wolverines' last game against Michigan State but all signs point to him being ready to go against Boston College.
5. Frank Nazar
While Nazar missed the majority of last season with a hip injury that required surgery, he has been an impactful player for the Wolverines this year.
Averaging just over a point per game (Nazar has 41 points in 40 games), he has shown glimpses as to why the Blackhawks chose him 13th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.
An adept puck handler, Nazar can create plays that many others cannot see. He draws in defenders, creating space for his teammates and can find them with a quick pass even through layers of pressure.
Currently riding a three-game point streak, Nazar should be a prime candidate to show up on the scoresheet come Thursday night.
No matter the outcome of the game, Boston College and Michigan going head-to-head should excite fans. Two fast-paced teams battling to book their spot in the final is what makes this time of year the best.
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