NCAA Game Recap: Michigan Advances to Albany Regional Final

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | By Chris Lavallee | Last updated Mar 28, 2026 3:05 AM ET

The Michigan Wolverines faced the Bentley Falcons tonight in the semifinals of the Albany Regional in the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines had Jack Ivankovic (Nashville Predators) in net, bringing in a 23-7-1 record with a 2.14 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage, and three shutouts. Bentley countered with Freshman Lukas Swedin, who entered this game 14-6-4 with a 2.02 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and two shutouts.

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Bentley Falcons vs. Michigan Wolverines

First Period

Five minutes into the game, Michigan outshot Bentley 3-1 with Swedin keeping the Wolverines in check. Just before halfway through the opening period, T.J. Hughes gave Michigan the lead as he beat Swedin glove side off a feed from Jayden Perron. It was Hughes’ 21st goal of the year and extended his point streak to seven games. Bentley got a power-play chance as Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen went to the box for hooking. The Wolverines killed off the power play. Late in the period, just before time was set to expire, Michigan added to its lead as Ben Robertson scored his first goal of the season just as the clock hit one second. Michigan outshot Bentley 11-8 in the period.

Second Period

Just over two minutes into the middle period, the top power-play unit in the country in Michigan got its first chance. Tobias Larsen went to the box for holding. Bentley was able to hold the Michigan power play at bay. Michigan got another power play chance a few minutes later, and they really put the pressure on the Falcons, and Nick Moldenhauer would find the back of the net for his 15th of the season to make it 3-0 Wolverines. Just over the midway point, Michigan threw a puck on net, and it bounced off Kason Muscutt into the net to make it 4-0 Wolverines. It was Muscutt’s third of the season. Bentley got a power play chance, but they still couldn’t get on the board. Michigan ended the period leading 4-0.

Third Period

In the third period, the two teams got matching penalties, making it four-on-four five minutes into the final period. Michigan added to its lead with almost eight minutes into the third as Garrett Schefsky scored his 13th goal of the year. Just over the halfway point in the period, Bentley got another power-play chance. Michigan killed off the penalty, and Ivankovic kept the shutout alive. The tensions rose a little in the final minute, and it was four-on-four when David Helledy scored. It was his sixth goal of the year. Bentley was resilient despite the score, but they just couldn’t solve Michigan, and the Wolverines would advance to the Regional Finals.

Wrap Up

Ivankovic stopped 24 of the 25 shots he faced and was fantastic in net. Swedin was fantastic for Bentley and tried his best to keep the potent Michigan offense at bay, but it just wasn’t enough. He stopped 24 of the 29 shots he faced. Michigan lost Will Horcoff during the game; that’ll be something to monitor ahead of their next matchup.

Next Up

The Wolverines will face the winner of the Penn State and Minnesota-Duluth game, with the winner of that next game advancing to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas. The game will either be at 3:00 PM EST or 5:30 PM EST.

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