BTN Hockey Report: Badgers-Wolverines, Buckeyes-Spartans ahead

It was a rivalry weekend showdown as the Gophers took on the Badgers, which included a brawl after a controversial hit to Minnesota?s Leon Bristedt. Michigan faced Ohio State in a game where the two teams combined to score 16 goals. Yes, you read that right – 16 goals.

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Here are the results from the weekend:

FRIDAY, JAN. 16
No. 19 Michigan def. Ohio State, 10-6
Wisconsin ties No. 16 Minnesota, 2-2 (Wisc. wins SO, 2-1)
Michigan State ties Penn State, 2-2 (MSU wins SO, 1-0)

SATURDAY, JAN. 17
Penn State def. Michigan State, 5-2
No. 16 Minnesota def. Wisconsin , 5-2

Here?s a preview to get you up to speed on the upcoming Big Ten hockey games.

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No. 16 MICHIGAN AT WISCONSIN
When: Friday, Jan. 23 at 9 p.m. ET; Saturday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. ET
How to watch: Friday?s game airs live on BTN/BTN2Go (use this link) and Saturday?s game is on BTN2GO (use this link).
Players to watch: The Wolverines feature a Hobey Baker candidate in their senior assistant captain Zach Hyman. Hyman leads the team with an impressive 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists). Dylan Larkin is another Wolverine to watch. He leads all Big Ten freshmen with 25 points (8G, 17A). Keep an eye on Wisconsin sophomore forward Grant Besse, who is coming off the best series of his career last weekend against Minnesota. He had three goals and 13 shots against the Gophers, including the shootout winner Friday night.
The latest on the Wolverines: Michigan boasts the nation?s longest win streak (five games) after defeating the Buckeyes last Friday night. The Wolverines are 13-7-0 overall and 5-1-0 in Big Ten play. Although Michigan is riding a strong win streak, the Wolverines haven?t won at the Kohl Center since November of 2006 and have lost four straight games in Madison.
The latest on the Badgers: Wisconsin will be without defenseman Eddie Wittchow, who was suspended the next two games for his controversial hit on Minnesota?s Leon Bristedt. The Badgers are 2-13-3 overall and 0-3-1 in Big Ten play. Wisconsin is 7-6-2 against Michigan under head coach Mike Eaves and 5-2-1 when they play in Madison.
In summary: The Wolverines are on a hot streak, but their defense will need to play well if they want to continue winning on the road. It will be interesting to watch a possessed Michigan offense against the Badger?s Joel Rumpel and company.

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OHIO STATE AT MICHIGAN STATE
When: Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p .m. ET; Saturday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. ET
How to watch: Friday?s game is on FOX Sports Detroit and BTN2Go (use this link) and Saturday?s game is on the BT/BTN2Go (use this link).
Players to watch: Buckeye forward Anthony Greco is coming off his second hat trick weekend. He has a team-high 12 goals and 14 points. Greco?s counterpart Matt Johnson is close behind with 14 points and 10 goals. Michigan State?s Michael Ferrantino continues to be the answer offensively as he leads the team with 15 points and nine goals. Spartan goaltender Jake Hildebrand boasts a .911 save percentage on the season and maintains a 2.60 goals-against average.
The latest on the Buckeyes: Ohio State heads to East Lansing with a 7-11-2 record overall and a 2-4-0 mark in Big Ten play after a 10-6 loss to Michigan last Friday. The Buckeyes average 2.90 goals per game. The Buckeyes split with Michigan State in their first Big Ten series of the season in late November.
The latest on the Spartans: Michigan State is 7-11-2 overall and is 1-3-2 in the Big Ten after tying and losing to Penn State last weekend. The Spartans average 2.25 goals per game and hold opponents to 2.65 a game, which ranks second in the Big Ten in total team defense.
In summary: Both teams are struggling to find momentum and are in need of a few wins to propel them forward in the Big Ten rankings.