MICHIGAN DEFEATS RIVAL MICHIGAN STATE IN ANNUAL “DUEL IN THE D” AT LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
17 Feb / 2020
Wolverines’ Will Lockwood Tallies Two Goals and an Assist; Goaltender Strauss Mann Makes 31 Saves to Lead Michigan to 4-1 win at Little Caesars Arena; Michigan Claims “Iron D Trophy” for Fourth Consecutive Season.
DETROIT (February 17, 2020) – The University of Michigan men’s ice hockey team skated to a 4-1 win over rival Michigan State in the annual “Duel in the D” game at Little Caesars Arena on Monday night. With the win, the Wolverines claimed the “Iron D” Trophy for the fourth consecutive season.
The Wolverines were led by senior captain Will Lockwood, who recorded two goals and an assist. Michigan sophomore netminder Strauss Mann was solid between the pipes for the Wolverines, stopping 31 shots en route earning to the victory.
Michigan’s win evened the season series with the Spartans (2-2-0), and improved its record to 163-136-24 overall against Michigan State in the most-played rivalry in college hockey.
Michigan jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 5:07 of the first period thanks to a goal from Lockwood. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native powered through the neutral zone and took a shot from the right faceoff circle that snuck into the net. Michigan State answered just over a minute later, as sophomore forward Adam Goodsir carried the puck up ice on a 2-on-1 and fed a perfect cross-ice pass to sophomore defenseman Dennis Cesana, who buried a shot into the net.
The Wolverines reclaimed the lead at 14:46 of the first period with a power-play goal from forward Jacob Hayhurst. Michigan State had a late power play in the opening frame but were unable to capitalize and Michigan held a 2-1 edge at the first intermission.
Michigan took a 3-1 lead at 2:50 of the middle frame on the power play when sophomore defenseman Nick Blankenburg took a wrist shot from the point that made its way through traffic and found the back of the net.
The Spartans appeared to have made it a one-goal game while on the power play late in the period, but Mann made a diving stick save – and got help from both posts – on a shot from MSU freshman forward Josh Nodler to keep the score 3-1 after 40 minutes of action.
The Wolverines opened a three-goal lead only 58 seconds in the third period courtesy of a deflection from Lockwood that snuck through the legs of MSU senior goaltender John Lethemon. Michigan State fired eight shots at Mann in the final frame but were unable to solve the Wolverines netminder.
College hockey returns to Little Caesars Arena with the 2020 Men’s Frozen Four on April 9 & 11. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.ncaa.com/tickets/icehockey-men/d1.
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:
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)