Michigan edges rival Michigan State, 4-3, in OT in 2023 "Duel in the D"

DETROIT -- The fifth-ranked University of Michigan men's ice hockey team needed overtime to defeat rival No. 15 Michigan State University, 4-3, in the "Duel in the D" before a sold-out crowd of 18,325 on Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena.

With the victory, the Wolverines claimed the "Iron D" Trophy for the sixth consecutive season. Saturday's contest was the highest-attended NCAA Division I college hockey game of the season, and marked the largest attendance at an indoor college hockey game since Feb. 10, 2018.
The back-and-forth matchup seemed to be destined for a shootout when Michigan senior Jay Keranen ripped a slapshot wide of the net in the waning seconds of the extra frame. However, the Wolverines ensured the "Iron D" Trophy would remain in Ann Arbor for another year, as sophomore Luke Hughes was positioned near the bottom of the left circle to play the carom off the end boards and flick a sharp-angle shot into an open cage before time expired.

Luke Hughes and freshman Frank Nazar III each finished with a goal and an assist, while sophomore Mackie Samoskevich recorded three helpers. Michigan State sophomore Tanner Kelly also dished out a pair of assists.
Michigan opened the scoring on the power play with 4:13 remaining in the first period. Samoskevich's initial effort from the top of the right circle hit traffic in front, but the puck bounced straight to T.J. Hughes at the left circle for a snapshot past the left arm of Michigan State goaltender Dylan St. Cyr for his 11th goal of the season.
The Spartans answered with a goal of their own prior to the first intermission. Miroslav Mucha dangled his way through the slot and forced a right pad save from Michigan netminder Erik Portillo, but the Michigan State captain was able to corral the loose puck and bury the rebound into an open net with 1:51 left in the opening frame.
Michigan State grabbed a 2-1 advantage with a power play goal 8:09 into the second stanza. Jeremy Davidson carried the puck into the high slot and wired a shot inside the left post for his sixth goal of the campaign.
The Wolverines were quick to recapture the lead with two goals in a 53-second span. Freshman Luca Fantilli's wrist shot from the left point was redirected in front by Dylan Duke underneath St. Cyr's pads at the 8:39 mark. Nazar then scored his first collegiate goal in his second appearance in a Michigan uniform when he gained the zone on a 3-on-1 and lifted a shot from the bottom of the right circle at 9:33.
Trailing 3-2 for most of the third period, the Spartans finally pulled even with 4:55 left in regulation. Graduate student Michael Underwood sent a wrist shot from the right point that grazed a pair of Michigan sticks before sliding between Portillo's pads for his first goal of the season. The Spartans had a golden opportunity to defeat their intrastate rivals after Duke was called for tripping 2:16 into overtime, but the Green and White were unable to cash in on the man advantage before falling victim to Luke Hughes' last-second heroics.

Michigan finished 1-for-6 on the power play, while Michigan State scored twice on seven opportunities. Portillo stopped 30-of-33 shots in a winning cause, as St. Cyr turned away 24-of-28 attempts.
Both programs have connections to the Detroit Red Wings' organization, as Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale served as the team's video coach from 2017-20, while Michigan interim head coach Brandon Naurato worked for the club as a player development consultant from 2018-21.
Additionally, Michigan freshman Kienan Draper was selected by Detroit in the seventh round (187th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He is the son of Red Wings director of amateur scouting Kris Draper, who recorded 361 points (158-203-361) in 1,137 games with the club from 1993-11 and won four Stanley Cup championships in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008.
Michigan junior Philippe Lapointe is the son of 16-year NHL veteran Martin Lapointe, who was selected by Detroit in the first round (10th overall) of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft and racked up 230 points (108-122-230) in 552 games with the club from 1991-01, capturing back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 1997 and 1998.
Tweet from @LCArena_Detroit: We just hope both teams are having fun! pic.twitter.com/eXB5fxzrty

ABOUT THE "IRON D" TROPHY

The "Iron D" Trophy features a forged iron "D" at its center to symbolize the city of Detroit, while the skyline of Hockeytown wraps around the base, including an image of Little Caesars Arena placed at the center. A large cup rests atop the trophy and hockey sticks, a red glass puck, and the logos of Michigan and Michigan State line the sides of the trophy. The trophy was designed and built by Erik and Israel Nordin at their studio, the Detroit Design Center.

"IRON D" TROPHY WINNERS

2023 - Michigan (4-3, overtime)
2022 - Michigan (7-3)
2021 - Did Not Play (Coronavirus Pandemic)
2020 - Michigan (4-1)
2019 - Michigan (5-2)
2018 - Michigan (3-2)
2017 - Michigan (4-4 tie, shootout win)
2016 - Michigan State (3-2, overtime)