jay keranen

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

What just happened (TL;DR): In a game that Michigan mostly controlled at even strength, garnering many more dangerous chances that Penn State, it took extra hockey to decide it. Mackie Samoskevich strode into the zone, curled into the high slot and sniped a game-winner above Liam Souliere, who played the game of his life. Michigan had great chances all evening, but just could not both beat Souliere and get the chance on frame. Each team tallied on the power play to get the game to OT. Then, it was Mackie Time…

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Forward Notes.

-While the even strength corsi attempts are relatively even, the eye test says that the dangerous chances mostly favored Michigan. They also got many more attempts on frame. Penn State got most of their best looks in transition (more later). The Wolverines were dangerous from the drop, creating a Grade A chance on the first shift. While they did struggle at times, the game felt like Michigan left plenty of goals on the table. Perhaps, when the Dentists left town on Friday, they stole Michigan’s regulation finishing.

-Alex mentioned early…and it never really changed –the Adam Fantilli line was just dominant. Between Adam, Rutger McGroarty, and Gavin Brindley, the Wolverines just pummeled Penn State’s defense, turning they over in zone, cycling to hold possession, and even pushing them back to get chances in transition. It seemed like they generated a Grade A chance every other time they were on the ice. They just could not finish like they did on Friday. That’s hockey. 

-Mackie Samoskevich now has a place as a Michigan Legend getting the first Wolverine NCAA Tournament OT game-winner since Tyler Motte in 2016.

Defense Notes.

-Overall, I thought Michigan’s in-zone defense was really good. All three pairings generally kept the Ice Lions to the perimeter and rarely allowed a Grade A chance that put Erik Portillo on the spot. Jay Keranen and Ethan Edwards both made very nice plays in their own end all night. Obviously there were occasional breakdowns, but, again, that’s hockey. If the team plays that kind of defense against a high scoring unit, Michigan’s chances for getting more victories this season increase tremendously.

-This was not Luke Hughes best game. While he did do well moving the puck and getting across lines, he also had a few brutal turnovers that lead to some OMRs going the other way. He also played a role on the goal allowed, failing to get a clear, and then not picking up the rebounder after Portillo came out to make the original save. Luke has had a number of dazzling moments in Maize and Blue and had games that dragged a struggling Michigan team to victories. This game was a little further down the list, though.

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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan was down two of their top four defensemen, two of their top six forwards, and get absolutely jobbed on a head shot non-call in the third…and finally Michigan State can tie the game. That’s what it took. It was finally a mostly even game after Michigan played without half of their top players. BUT NOT LUKE HUGHES! A little bit of magic from the top five pick helped Hughes beat the OT buzzer and give Michigan the extra point. How often do you seen hockey buzzer beaters?! The Iron D stays in Ann Arbor another year.

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Forward Notes.

-This game was much more even than last night, for sure. Michigan skated well and created chances, but they did not rip through the Spartans with multiple lines the way that they did on Friday night. Playing without Adam Fantilli and Rutger McGroarty was very noticeable. But that’s what it took to create a relatively even game. Michigan still won…and maybe should have in regulation, as well, too…but we don’t really need to go there…yet.

-Frank Nazar started to look a little dangerous. His goal was almost not contested, so it’s tough to rave too much, but he made some plays around the net and got to some dangerous areas with the puck. Give him another week and load this lineup back up and hoo boy. Dylan Duke also had a Duke Goal on a deft tip in front of the crease. He’s just an absolute menace down low. We won’t talk about his OT giveaway and ensuing penalty…

Defense Notes.

-LUKE HUGHES BUZZER BEATER! This game was not without some Hughes gaffes. He turned the puck over in his own end that started the sequence on the first MSU goal (Ethan Edwards also played a role). He also had a couple more curious giveaways that we haven’t seen for a while. However, given the state of Michigan’s defense, he shouldered another massive load and skated down so many loose pucks. He also created so much in the offensive zone as no Spartan could come close to skating with him. Then the presence of mind just to get that puck on net as timed almost ran out. Luke Hughes!

-Jay Keranen has been an unsung hero on this team. In his career, he’s bounced from forward to defense to the bench to the press box. With the slew of injuries on defense, he's getting top four minutes and plenty of time of special teams as well. He’s also looked pretty good. Definitely on Saturday night. Luke is in a category by himself, but Jay Karenen was Michigan’s next best defenseman. The senior is going to be heavily called upon down the stretch on the backed for Michigan. So far, he looks up to it.

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

What just happened (TL;DR): Penn State controlled the puck and took twice as many shots as did Michigan. The Wolverines finished over twice as many shots as the Lions did, though. Penn State did get into the House, but Erik Portillo outplayed Liam Souliere before Souliere was chased, going down 4-1. The game never got too tight and the Wolverines added two empty netters and another goal after that. Xander Lamppa scored all three goals for the Ice Lions giving him a hat trick and doubling his goal count for the season.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Adam Fantilli showed why he’s almost always the best player on the ice, collecting four points (five if you count the assist on the second Lamppa goal, ha) after his empty-netter. He buried a chance on the power play, forced the DZTO that lead to Philippe Lapointe’s third tally of the year, and slammed home an empty-netter to unofficially end the game. That doesn’t even take into account the goal that he had taken away early in the second period (a bad call by the way). After his empty-netter, Fantilli pointed rather emphatically at the net saying “This one is going to count!”

-Jackson Hallum found the net after a fortunate deflection. Rutger McGroarty also sniped his tenth goal of the year on a wide open look in the slot. Philippe Lapointe also scored a similar goal from Fantilli. Michigan got scoring from their prized star AND plenty of depth scoring. This is the weekend for it against a highly-rated Penn State team and not the brightest outlook for Mackie Samoskevich…at least for this weekend.

Seamus Casey is a Dude (David Wilcomes)

Defense Notes.

-Seamus Casey put on a show on Friday night, showing why he might just have the highest ceiling of any defenseman on the ice. While he got a bit fortunate on his first assist that Jackson Hallum finished, his second was one of the plays of the year. He stickhandled through multiple Lions as he skated down the wing and dished to an open Rutger McGroarty blazing down the slot. Casey also created 2-3 more really good looks that could have been goals. He’s really fun to watch.

-Brendan Miles dressed for his first action of his career and looked…good? He didn’t do anything that will make the SC Top Ten, but he made smart plays and was not noticeable for anything negative. He did get stuck out there for a Forever Shift in the third, but that wasn’t all on him by any means. Luca Fantilli also got his first goal as a Wolverine, catching a puck on his backhand, switching to his forehand and beating Noah Grannan with a nice shot.