100% worst idea ever

CLICK HERE for Game Recap from Kristy McNeil and other pertinent information.

What just happened (TL;DR): This game was close in score for a period, but Michigan still dominated. Then, the dam broke open in the second, and Michigan gave Colgate’s net major fillings on repeat. The Wolverines drilled seven goals in nine minutes to crown themselves winners of the opening round. After a third period spearmint spearing, the Wolverines power play capped three more times to set a NCAA Tournament record for goals. In an opening round that saw other Big Ten teams score 8, 8, and 9 goals, Michigan turned heads with double digits. #eyeballemoji

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-This was an absolute evisceration. Every. Single. Forward. for Michigan tallied at least a point. It was just a finishing clinic. The Wolverines momentarily shut it down at the end of the second period and beginning of the third or else they probably could have had more. An enraging penalty late in the game, re-ignited the Wolverines for more blood on the power play. Michigan showed their finishing ceiling when they have the puck in dangerous areas all night. Turns out, the ceiling is the roof.

-Michigan had NINE different goal scorers on Friday night. Nine. Adam Fantilli has two points and was nowhere near the offensive star of the game, lol. Depth scoring is always key in tournament runs, and the Wolverines certainly checked that box. Colgate nowhere near Michigan’s class on the ice, and dominating, scoring goals, and not letting up is what is necessary in those games. Michigan seems to be firing on all cylinders at just the right time.

-Seniors Nick Granowicz and Eric Ciccolini both skated in their first NCAA Tournament game and each scored a goal. That’s pretty cool.

Weclome to the Luke Show (David Wilcomes)

Defense Notes.

-The in-zone defense was fine. Colgate didn’t generate a whole lot in the offensive zone. That was also to be expected. When the game was tight (on the scoreboard, at least), Michigan did give away a few chances in transition. Luke Hughes had a couple bad giveaways early that gave the Flossers a few scoring chances. After the first period, though, the Wolverines tightened up on the backend and locked the game down.

-Luke Hughes tallied a five point night. LOL. He tallied a short-hand goal, power play goal, and three assists. Seamus Casey also tallied three assists. Four of Michigan’s seven defensemen tallied a point. It was a good night to be a puck-moving blueliner!

Each of the two preceding years saw Michigan Hockey's season ended by COVID-19. They had a decent shot of making the NCAA Tournament in March of 2020, but then the world fell apart and the tournament was canceled. In 2021, they drew this region. Woof. Could they have won a game? Perhaps. Two? Ehhhhh...I'm guessing no. But this year...THIS YEAR...this is The Year. This has to be the year...right? Well, as much as any year is THE YEAR, this is THE YEAR for Michigan Hockey. This is the best team since at least 2008. And if not then, we're talking sometime since before Alex Drain was born. They have the #1 overall seed. They've played half of the teams in the tournament in preparation (if there is preparation for such a thing *breathes heavily into a paper bag*). There are no discernible weaknesses; they've won every conceivable type of game. All that's left to do is...win four consecutive random hockey games in WhoKnowsWhereVille USA!

Why do we do this to ourselves... 
 

The Field

[For those who want to see a more detailed bracket, click HERE]

Michigan’s Regional (Allentown, PA )

(1) Michigan, (2) Quinnipiac, (3)St. Cloud State, (4) American International: This...is a pretty nice draw, actually. They avoided all of the *GULP* teams in ND, The Other ND, and Duluth. Wow. Hey, alright. But I guess it should be, since Michigan is the #1 overall seed. The regular season should mean something, darnit! They draw the automatic qualifier from Atlantic Hockey and then would face the winner of Quinnipiac and St Cloud State...two teams who could not be more different. The Q-Pac Bobcats use the Six Goalie technique to beat up on the ECAC. St Cloud is Michigan under RichRod in 2010. Run 'n Gun, SCORES, Best Power Play in the Country...but finishes fifth in their conference. Too bad we're in...uh...*checks notes* Allentown? Yikes. Too bad we can't do this at Yost instead and, you know, actually have fans (as I've written about here: one, two, or three).

(1) Michigan vs (4) American International

This is it. Don't get scared now. [Zoey Holmstrom]

Things Michigan Needs to Do Against American International (because David is trying to steal parts from the full preview on Friday):

1. ATTACK! Alex has done some research, and we chatted about how and why these supreme underdogs upset #1 seeds. Usually, it's when very few goals are scored. The Mighty Mites sit back, defend, and try to Goalie you. So...within this insane randomness...try not to let that happen. Push the envelope and try to jump on them early and often. Score goals and change the complexion of the game from the initial faceoff. Like we've seen against Michigan State (and Notre Dame, even though they are a legit team), getting goal(s) early forces them out of their comfort zone and into an actual hockey game. Obviously, getting Goalie'd isn't something that is always controllable, but the longer you sit back and wait for perfect chances, being patient and trying not to make a mistake...the longer AIC will believe they belong in the game and all they need is a break here or there. End it early. Plus, if you make a mistake, Erik Portillo has been money shutting down chances.

2. Play With Underdog Intensity. Despite being the higher ranked and favored team in the last couple of games against Notre Dame and Minnesota, Michigan played as if they were not. They skated harder, won puck/board battles, and took charge in each of the game. One of the bug-a-boos that this team has had from time to time is complacency. Generally, the Wolverines are the more talented team that should win the statistical battle (and, I mean, the game), but not skating with a sense of urgency has done them in before...or at least created unnecessary peril. They've hopefully got four games left together. Might as well play like it.

3. Don't Take A Major. Lol. In Elimination Hockey, that's a great way to give the underdog some life. Also, Michigan leads the world in doing this (probably). Have they been called consistently OR fairly? Ha. That's not the point, though. When in tricky situations, don't make a questionable hit...like, say, when you can see the opponent's last name and numbers right in front of your face. American International has a solid power play. Maybe don't give them an extended look.

Final Thoughts: I mean, look...Michigan is the #1 overall. This is the most talented Michigan team since at least 2008 and possibly ever. They might be the most talented team in college hockey history. They are playing an automatic qualifier who would not make the tournament if every conference wasn't guaranteed a spot. On paper, this is barely worth talking about. If this game were played in November, Alex would be rolling his eyes at me note-taking. But this is March and we've got the most ridiculous tournament format known to man. Michigan wins ANY series length against AIC (and quite possibly any other opponent they will face subsequently). But in one game? Ugh. Just don't do anything drastically terrible. If they play the way they've been playing since they walked out of Compton Ice Arena in on February 27th, they should be fine. Hopefully.

Alex's Take: Michigan should win this game. As long as they play their game and put the puck in the back of the net, they should win. The Wolverines have much better players, AIC isn't a defensive juggernaut, even in their conference, they don't have a crazy good goalie, and they got smoked by UMass, who Michigan handled easily. Go out and score a couple quickly and put the game out of reach and skate into Sunday. 

[AFTER THE JUMP: All of the games that don't involve Michigan]

BOOOOOOK: The Kickstarter for HTTV 2021 ends this week. This year you can customize which rewards you want. Also I had to write way more of it than usual, which means the Lord of the Rings references start on like Page 6. Consume!

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FORMATION NO—Wait, is this a joke?

No. Let’s get through it.

Why?

I needed the data for HTTV—both the UFR data and snap counts. Also completeness.

So you are going to UFR the defense against Penn State too?

Lol hell no.

FORMATION NOTES: I called this MSU’s 4-2-5 Eagle. They used it almost every 3rd and long. Note the FS is bailing at the snap—that happened a lot.

This was 4-2-5 Wide 9:

Because the DE is in a wide 9.

SUBSTITUTION NOTES: Line was Hayes-Filiaga-Vastardis-Stueber-Mayfield until they lost Mayfield at the beginning of the last drive and he was replaced by Barnhart. Honigford got 9 snaps as a TE—Eubanks returned and passed All after the latter had another drop. Mason was used as both tight end and fullback. Charbonnet got the most snaps of the RBs with Evans, Corum, and Haskins splitting the backup share, plays with 2 RBs and the Haskinscat they used twice in goal line situations. Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson got more time than Sainristil outside. Bell was in the slot when Jackson was not.

Also I accidentally uploaded a bunch of the clips without sound, sorry.

[After THE JUMP: When you refuse to run with your QB the WILL’s gonna have a good time.]