U-M hockey to play for NCAA title Saturday after defeating North Dakota, 2-0

Senior goaltender Shawn Hunwick made 40 saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season as Michigan defeated North Dakota 2-0 to advance to a spot in the NCAA championship game on Saturday night against Minnesota-Duluth.

The victory puts Michigan one win away from the program’s 10th national championship and marks the 12th time the Wolverines have made it to the championship game.

North Dakota entered the contest with the nation’s second highest scoring offense, averaging more than four goals per game. Yet Hunwick, and the Michigan defense, were able to keep the Fighting Sioux off the board.

Senior forward Ben Winnett scored the game-winning goal for the Wolverines at 13:26 of the first period.

The Fighting Sioux outshot the Wolverines 11-3 in the second period and had a slew of opportunities to tie the game, but Hunwick held strong, robbing senior defenseman Chay Genoway

Senior forward Scooter Vaughan secured the victory for the Wolverines by potting an empty-net goal with 36 seconds remaining.