Relive All Four Goals From Luke Hughes In His Massive Comeback Against Penn State

New Jersey Devils prospect Luke Hughes has been trying to live up to the hype this season after he was a Hobey Baker Award finalist last season. Then, a majority of the team’s star power, and its head coach, left in the offseason. Hughes was always going to have an uphill climb this year, but he’s finally starting to hit his stride.

On Friday night, Hughes destroyed that stride. He scored four goals against number six Penn State, helping Michigan upset their rivals 5-4.

His first goal came with the Wolverines down 3-0. It looked like it was going to be a rough night prior to the goal.

His stick handling was in full effect on that play. He made his own space, he realized he had nobody to pass to, and he rifled a shot past Liam Souliere. His second goal was much different. There was a lot of help, and T.J. Hughes officially set him up.

Michigan went into the third period down 3-2. We don’t know what Michigan interim head coach Brandon Naurato said in the locker room during the second intermission, but it really lit a fire under his best defenseman’s behind.

Hughes scored the hat trick on a trickler of a goal. It looks like a simple wrister from the top of the circle, but it was more than effective. That was how the Devils prospect scored the first hat trick of his NCAA career.

Then, Hughes took it one step further. He scored the fourth goal of the game, this time putting the Michigan Wolverines up for good.

Hughes is pushing once again for the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in NCAA hockey. Will he win it this year? He likely cares more about winning in the NCAA Frozen Four tournament, but it would be nice to get the individual award as well. Hughes had himself a huge night, and this is good to show that he can take over a game offensively when it absolutely matters.