Michigan Hockey Preview: The No. 1 Wolverines travel to face Harvard

The Michigan Wolverines (13-3-0) are the No. 1 team in the country for the first time since 2022. Following a dominant sweep over rival Ohio State, Michigan is now off to its best start since 2007-08 and heads east to face its final non-conference foe of the season — unranked, but dangerous Harvard (5-1-1) in Cambridge.

Fresh off a five-point weekend against the Buckeyes, team captain T.J. Hughes (9G, 15A) has moved into second place nationally with 24 points. Hughes has been a catalyst for Michigan’s top-ranked offense all season. Between Hughes and the nation’s lead goal-scorer, Will Horcoff (14G, 7A), it is no surprise the Wolverines are by far the most dominant offensive team in the country.

Among teams that have played at least 10 games, Michigan is the only team scoring more than four goals per game with an absurd 5.2. Five players are currently playing at a point-per-game pace, and three others are within reach.

On the blue line, Michigan looked connected for the first time since Henry Mews was lost for the season. Against the Buckeyes, the Wolverines only allowed three goals in two games, with the final goal coming with under one minute left to prevent a shutout on Saturday. Moreover, transfer defenseman Ben Robertson (0G, 14A) settled into the role of the power play quarterback — chipping in an assist both nights against Ohio State — and should help the special teams regain some of the magic that was lost when Mews got injured.

In net, Jack Ivankovic (.920 save percentage) continues to be dominant. Although he was denied a shutout due to a late penalty on Saturday, his 38 saves marked a career high for the true freshman, and he is now the nation’s leader with 367 saves this season.

The Crimson enter this series as one of the hottest teams in college hockey. Despite being unranked, Harvard has won four games in a row, and even a split against the nation’s top team could help them break into the rankings.

Up front, Harvard is paced by a trio of forwards playing at a point-per-game pace. Mick Thompson (3G, 8A) leads the team with 11 points, followed by Casey Severo (5G, 3A) with eight and Philip Tresca (5G, 2A) with seven. Mind you, college hockey scheduling is a little wacky this time of the year, and Harvard has only played seven games so far compared to Michigan’s 16.

Defensively, Ryan Healey (1G, 3A) leads the blue-liners with four points, and while this unit has been strong, the penalty-kill is where they have shone the brightest. Harvard’s penalty-kill is the only unblemished unit in the country, standing at a perfect 19-for-19 this season. Michigan’s unit has slowed down in recent weeks, but this will be the hardest test for both teams this season.

Between the pipes, similar to Ivankovic, Ben Charette has played every minute of the season. Charette’s .934 save percentage is ranked No. 11 in the country, and the sophomore has made more than 30 saves in six of their seven games and has only allowed more than three goals just once this season.

Overwhelm Harvard in the first period. The Crimson have faced two ranked teams all season and only managed one goal in each effort. Neither opponent has close to the offensive prowess of the Wolverines — the best offense Harvard has faced is UConn at No. 24 — and if Michigan can turn these games into a track meet early and pepper Charette with shots, the Crimson will not be able to keep pace. If Michigan sweeps Harvard, the Wolverines will only be three wins away from their season win total last year.

When: Friday, Nov. 28, 7 p.m. ET

Where: Bright-Landry Hockey Center, Cambridge, MA

How to watch: ESPN+

How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network

When: Saturday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. ET

Where: Bright-Landry Hockey Center, Cambridge, MA

How to watch: ESPN+

How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network