In what was a hard-fought battle for most of the contest, Michigan hockey lost to the Quinnipiac University Bobcats by a score of 5-2.

This is back-to-back Frozen Four losses for the Wolverines. They fell to Denver University last season, 3-2 in overtime.

Quinnipiac, No. 2 overall in the rankings, got on the board just five minutes into the game. After facing an onslaught of shots, the only shot Michigan goalie Erik Portillo could not save was the one that hit directly behind him. Jacob Quillan’s shot from behind the net ricocheted off Portillo’s back and into the net.

Michigan responded less than two minutes later. Seamus Casey dangled through defenders and tucked the puck past a stretched Yaniv Perets. It was a beautiful sequence that gave new life to the Wolverines and fans in attendance.

Quinnipiac stuck again later in the first period. Quillan once again, this time a breakaway goal which was putted five-hole to give the Bobcats the lead. They took that 2-1 lead into the first period intermission, with a lot of work left to be done for the Wolverines.

After an uneventful first half of the second period, Michigan equalized. Freshman forward Adam Fantilli fired a slapshot off the pass from Luke Hughes and into the back of the net. Fantilli, another highly-touted Michigan prospect, scored 30 goals and led the nation in points-per-game (1.81).

Fantilli’s goal was the only one scored between both teams in the second period. This set up for a suspenseful and crucial third period.

Unfortunately for Michigan hockey and fans, the Wolverines fell flat. It was all Quinnipiac, as they scored three goals for a commanding 5-2 victory. Perets finished the game with 29 saves.

National Championship Preview

Quinnipiac (33-4-3) will face top-ranked Minnesota (29-9-1) in the national championship game at 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 9. Minnesota took down Boston University in their semi-final game by a score of 6-2 on Thursday night.

As for Michigan, another promising season but nothing to show for it. The Wolverines will bounce back next season with aspirations for glory. Michigan has been on a disappointing streak as of late, making it far into the playoffs and not coming home with the championship.

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For more content from the author Roman Bruno, check him out on Twitter here: @romanbruno14

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