Michigan Men's Ice Hockey Schedule
Introduction
The Wolverines of the University of Michigan have a long and storied history in college hockey, with 9 national championships and 25 conference titles in their trophy case. The program has produced numerous NHL stars, including current players like Kyle Connor, Dylan Larkin, and Quinn Hughes. Now entering the 2021-2022 season, the team is looking to add to that legacy and compete for another title. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive breakdown of Michigan's schedule for the upcoming season, including key matchups, dates to circle on your calendar, and what fans can expect from this talented team.
Non-Conference Schedule
The Wolverines kick off their season with a home series against the Mercyhurst Lakers on October 8th and 9th. This will be the first time these two teams have faced off since 2006, and Michigan will be looking to start the season strong in front of their home crowd.
Next up is a road series against the UConn Huskies on October 15th and 16th. This will be the first-ever meeting between these two programs, and Michigan will be looking to make a statement on the road early in the season.
The Wolverines then return home for a series against the Western Michigan Broncos on October 22nd and 23rd. This is an important in-state rivalry game, and Michigan will be looking to defend their home ice against a tough opponent.
Michigan's non-conference schedule wraps up with a road series against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on November 5th and 6th. These two teams have a long-standing rivalry and always play intense, physical games. This will be a great test for the Wolverines heading into conference play.
Conference Schedule
Michigan plays in the Big Ten Conference, which is one of the toughest in all of college hockey. The Wolverines will face off against each of the other five teams in the conference multiple times throughout the season, with the top four teams qualifying for the Big Ten Tournament in March.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Wolverines' first conference opponent is the Ohio State Buckeyes, who they'll face in a home series on November 12th and 13th. These games are always intense, and Michigan will be looking to start conference play with a statement win.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Michigan then travels to Minnesota for a series against the Golden Gophers on November 19th and 20th. This is always a tough road trip for the Wolverines, as Minnesota has one of the most passionate fan bases in the country.
Michigan State Spartans
Next up is the first installment of the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry, with a home series against the Spartans on November 26th and 27th. These two teams always play emotional, hard-fought games, and this series will be no exception.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Michigan then travels to Happy Valley for a series against the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 3rd and 4th. This is a relatively new rivalry, but it's quickly becoming one of the most intense in the Big Ten.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wolverines wrap up their 2021 schedule with a home series against the Wisconsin Badgers on December 10th and 11th. This will be the final conference series before a brief hiatus for the holiday season, and both teams will be looking to end the first half of the season on a high note.
Conclusion
Michigan Men's Ice Hockey has a challenging schedule ahead of them for the 2021-2022 season, but this talented roster is more than capable of rising to the occasion. Fans can expect intense, hard-fought games throughout the non-conference and conference schedules, and the Wolverines will be looking to add to their trophy case once again. Whether you're a die-hard Michigan fan or a casual hockey fan looking for an exciting team to cheer on this season, the Wolverines should be at the top of your list.
