2019-20 michigan hockey breakdown

Note: Shot charts were a little inconsistent and incomplete tonight, so there are going to be some gaps in the numbers, unfortunately 

OFFENSE

Aside from the empty-netter, the only even strength goal was a coast-to-coast by Johnny Beecher, who actually didn’t get a shot off on the initial rush. He did circle back and beat a screened Lethemon to put Michigan up by two. Michigan also had some early flurries in front, forcing Lethemon to keep Michigan State in the game. Once it was 2-0, Michigan seemed to dial it back and play it safe, protecting Mann at all costs. Getting the lead is monumental for this team. They haven’t trailed since February 22nd.

[Hit THE JUMP for more]

OFFENSE

• Analysis: Michigan played an even period in the first. They got their only even-strength tally in the second on a double tip by Hayhurst and Beecher off of a great diagonal from Luke Martin. After that, they did not generate much offense at all. Once Nick Pasta added another power-play tally at the end of the second, the game was all but decided, and the Wolverines didn’t take any chances. Actually, there’s an argument that they started getting conservative after gaining a 1-0 advantage. It wasn’t the worst strategy given the Spartans struggle to score--and given the existence of Strauss Mann. Not the best even-strength production from the Wolverines tonight, but it was the correct strategy given the situation.

[After THE JUMP: more on where the offense came from tonight, plus how Michigan kept MSU off the board]

OFFENSE

• Analysis: For an offense that had been thriving in the last six weeks, the Wolverines went cold at the worst time. Notre Dame’s defense was an absolute fortress all weekend and Cale Morris played like his 2018 self. Michigan did create some decent chances throughout the game, but those were not nearly enough tonight. While they’ve scrapped their way back to scoring at a decent rate in their last five series, the Irish were just too darn solid, giving up very, very few Grade A chances. It was going to take a bounce, crazy deflection, or NHL-level snipe to get on the board tonight. Unfortunately, the Wolverine attack did not have that in them this weekend.

DEFENSE

• Analysis: The numbers indicate a little sloppiness from the Wolverine defense; the play on the ice was also up and down. The Irish clogged the ice all night and kept the Wolverines in their own end, not allowing much free-flowing transitional play. Michigan failed to clear the puck consistently as well. They did, however, mostly keep free shooters to a minimum, but allowed a lot of attempts from the House, including close to 50% of Notre Dame’s total attempts at even strength.  Eventually, they lost an attacker who fired a perfect attempt past Mann. Unfortunately, the margins were too slim all weekend.

[After THE JUMP: one thing that maybe could have bailed Michigan out and two things that held the game close]