Shortly before the start of the highly anticipated top-five showdown between No. 2 Minnesota and No. 3 Michigan, it was announced that the Wolverines would be without several key players due to illness.
Six Wolverines in total missed the first game: the top-scoring player in college hockey, Adam Fantilli, Michigan’s third leading scorer TJ Hughes, team captain Nolan Moyle, starting defenseman Jacob Truscott, defenseman Brendan Miles, and defenseman Steven Holtz. Holtz’s condition was so severe he was admitted to the ICU and placed on a ventilator, according to his mother on Facebook.
Michigan was so desperate for bodies, third-string reserve goaltender Tyler Shea was listed as the fourth line left wing.