*PSA: There will be no Breakdown tomorrow (Saturday) night. I will get some notes to talk about the game during the HockeyCast.*

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

 

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

	Total Attempts	Even Strength	Power Play	Close (within 1)	Even Strength %
Niagara	37	29	8	19	31%
Michigan	75	64	11	40	69%

Forward Notes.

-After a slow start -that lasted a bit too long whilst watching it- Michigan just overpowered the Purple Eagles. They ended up getting 28 shots from the House. Jake Sibell stood on his head, keeping Niagara in the game for the first two periods. After that, goals just poured over the Falls. Luke Hughes tallied from the sharpest of angles. Brendan Brisson backhanded a soft goal through Sibell after forcing a DZTO.

-Mark Estapa dressed, again, on Friday and showed some jump. He created some chances around the net. Dylan Duke also played a big part in Michigan’s opening goal with some nice work in the corner. He’s also starting to earn more and more power play time. Philippe Lapointe also skated tonight with Beecher and Van Whye.

*I actually like this matchup tomorrow. The OL has been very good (save some of the PSU game…but that dude was legit). I think we can run it enough. The TEs are matchup problems. Anthony fights for balls; Wilson has been great; CJ is really starting to pop. Cade has been his best in the biggest games. Am I talking myself into this?

Defense Notes.

-

-Ethan Edwards notched his first career goal for Michigan on Friday night. After Dylan Duke worked the puck free in the corner, Edwards looked to be trying to center it to Duke but his pass hit a Purple Eagle and took a friendly bounce into the back of the net. He deserved that goal after he made a beautiful move down the slot, went forehand-backhand and Jake Sibell made an outstanding save to rob him.

*The linebackers scare me a little bit. Let’s say the DL holds up. Maybe even…wins enough plays? Okay, Hutch is going to have to have like three sacks. Ojabo maybe two. We just need the game of their lives from Colson, NHG, and Ross.

 

Give this team enough chances, and they’ll bury one. Pasta got this 5v3 chance! (James Coller)

 

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

	PP Opportunities	PP Corsi For	PP Shots/Minute
Niagara	1/5	8	.5(4/8)
Michigan	2/4	11	1.45(8/5.5)

Power Play. Michigan tallied twice on the man advantage on Friday. And they cashed a 5v3! Nick Blankenburg had an open look from the House that Michael Pastujov was able to finish the rebound. Mackie Samoskevich also had a deft finish after well-worked passes from Thomas Bordeleau and Pastujov. Michigan moved the puck well on a couple of other power plays, too, but didn’t finish those. They also didn’t need to.

 

Penalty Kill. Other than a shot through traffic that eluded Portillo, the Wolverines short-circuited the Purple Eagle power play all night. The only issue might be giving away too many opportunities. When playing against lower competition, that’s the best way to even the playing field. Fortunately for Michigan, it did not cost them on Friday.

*Ruggles finally missed last week. It’s an omen! Moody is cash. Everything is a touchback. Don’t fumble the punts. We could win on special teams?

 

 

Not quite a nap, but he still looks pretty comfortable (James Coller)

GOALTENDING CHART

	Michigan Shots Faced (House)	Niagara Shots Faced (House)
First Period	7(4)	9(6)
Second Period	2(1)	23(13)
Third Period	3(0)	13(9)
Overtime	n/a	n/a
TOTAL	12(5)	45(28)

Notes. Erik Portillo started in net, again. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. Anything can happen and Michigan may need Noah West sometime this year. It seemed (to me) like a good chance to get him some ice time. Alas. After a busy opening few minutes, where he did make a few engaged saves, Portillo wasn’t forced into action a whole lot more. He (they) did get lucky a few times with some bounces around the net, though. On the Purple Eagle goal, perhaps he moved to his left a bit soon, but it didn’t seem like he saw the puck…and it was shot through multiple guys. Perhaps Noah West on Saturday?

 

* I know Moten is young, but if he, Hawkins, Dax, Green, Turner, Gray can all play…that’s some decent options in the secondary, right? Maybe Olave and Wilson run into each other…a few times?

 

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Defense	Rushes	Advs	Escape%	Offense	Rushes	Advs	Scoring%
1st Period	1	3v2	100%		n/a	n/a	n/a
2nd Period	n/a	n/a	n/a		1	2v1	100%
3rd Period	n/a	n/a	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a
OT	n/a	n/a	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a
Total	1	3v2	100%		1	2v1	100%

Notes. Both teams traded an OMR. Michigan got pretty lucky on Niagara’s as the puck hopped over the attacker’s stick in front of an open net on the back side. Michigan got a 2v1 on the penalty kill. Morgan’s pass to Van Whye was a bit too far, though. That was it.

 

*In ‘96, Shawn Springs slipped. I’m just saying…

FINAL THOUGHTS

It took a couple of periods, but Michigan overwhelmed an inferior Niagara Purple Eagle team. Jake Sibell kept Niagara in it for a couple of periods, but Michigan was just too much –as they should be. There are not a ton of takeaways, honestly. They did what they needed to do, tonight. Follow it up on Saturday.

 

Even if they are a better team. Even if that offense seems unstoppable. Even if Day still hasn’t lost a Big Ten game.

One time.