In a stunning last-second finish, Michigan preserved its perfect record on Friday night by overcoming fifth-ranked Western Michigan 3-2 at Yost Ice Arena after junior forward Will Horcoff scored the game-winning goal with just 0.1 seconds remaining in regulation.
The No. 1 Wolverines improved to 7-0 with the comeback win, while the No. 5 Broncos suffered their first defeat of the season, falling to 4-1. The matchup between two top-five teams remained closely contested until Horcoff's late strike settled the outcome in front of a sellout crowd of 5,800.
The opening period ended without a goal despite both teams receiving power-play opportunities. Michigan held a 12-8 advantage in shots on goal and led 13-8 in faceoffs after the first 20 minutes, but neither side managed to capitalize on its scoring chances.
Western Michigan broke the deadlock in the second period. Zaccharya Wisdom collected a rebound and put the puck into the net at the 8:36 mark, giving the Broncos a 1-0 lead. The Wolverines generated several opportunities to respond but could not find an equalizer before the second intermission. Both teams produced 18 shots through two periods, while Michigan maintained a 21-17 advantage in faceoffs.
The Wolverines needed only 45 seconds of the third period to restore parity. Senior forward Jayden Perron scored his 10th goal of the season with a backhand finish, assisted by sophomore defenseman Drew Schock. The goal also set a modern-era program record for the quickest a Michigan player had reached double-digit goals in a season.
Michigan took the lead just 20 seconds later when junior defenseman Dakoda Rhaaume-Mullen scored off a play involving Nick Moldenhauer and Malcolm Spence. However, the Broncos responded at 8:45, with former Michigan player William Whitelaw scoring a short-handed goal to make it 2-2.
With overtime seemingly inevitable, Horcoff came up clutch. After Cole McKinney's initial attempt deflected off an opposing skater, Horcoff collected the puck near the right circle and fired past Western Michigan sophomore goaltender Quentin Miller. The shot crossed the goal line with one-tenth of a second remaining.
Article Continues BelowMichigan just beat Western Michigan with 1 second remaining AGAIN
This time in hockey pic.twitter.com/dqeMs4WQ0A
— Underdog CFB (@UnderdogCFB) October 24, 2026
The Broncos challenged the goal for offside, but officials upheld the decision after video review. Horcoff's winner marked Michigan's first victory secured in the final minute of regulation since Garrett Schifsky scored against Michigan State on February 7, 2025. The Wolverines finished with 28 shots on goal, one fewer than the Broncos' 29.
The finish also was reminiscent of the Wolverines' September 5 football win over Western Michigan, decided by a last-second Hail Mary in a 13-12 thriller.
Michigan will begin Big Ten play next weekend with a two-game road series versus Ohio State on October 31 and November 1. The Wolverines and Broncos are also scheduled to meet again on January 30 in an outdoor hockey game at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan.