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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan and Michigan State played a very even, tight game into the third period. Finally, Michigan’s defense broke, giving up a few Grade A chances that the Spartans converted. Trey Augustine pretty much held the Wolverines off the board all night. He was the difference-maker once again at Yost.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-This was one of the better played games at Yost all year. For two periods, both teams were playing an even game at a high level. Michigan probably had a slight edge in dangerous chances, but both teams were rolling lines and generating chances. It felt like a Top Five matchup.

-Once again, Trey Augustine was the difference. In the end, Michigan got half of their shots from the House, and at least 4-5 from the top of the crease. Augustine stopped them all. He saw everything, got side to side very well, and just was in control all night. The Wolverines got good looks up and down their forward lines, but sometimes a great goalie is unbeatable.

-Michigan did have a goal called back, early in the second period. Augustine finally fumbled a puck that came out a little late, and Garrett Schifsky grabbed it and fired it into the net. However, the referee lost sight of the puck, and blew the whistle. It didn’t seem like Trey ever completely had it, but that’s how it goes sometimes. You just don’t get many mistakes from great goaltenders.

-Honestly, I thought Michigan’s forwards were pretty good all night. They created good chances, beat the MSU defense, even back-checked pretty well for most of the night. Other that JUST SCORE, I don’t know what else to ask.

No defenseman in the frame is bad (Bill Rapai)

Defense Notes.

-Michigan’s defense played pretty well for a couple periods. They moved the puck well, cleared their zone, and only gave up five shots from the House. Finally, they just broke in the third period, and started giving up too many A+ chances. That was it.

-Seamus Casey and Tyler Duke looked really dangerous going forward for most of the night. However, they were the pair caught on the ice for that extended shift early in the third. Casey botched and exit, and the puck stayed in the Wolverine end. Finally Daniel Russell was able to snipe a top corner to give the Spartans a lead they wouldn’t relenquish.

-Steve Holtz didn’t play a ton, but he did get beat to the near post, just after the second goal, by Karsen Dorwart. Dorwart may or may not had deflected the shot. Either way, with Luca Fantilli playing well, I’m not sure what ice time will be left for Holtz.

-Luca Fantilli is stringing together some performances. He played very well in his own zone most of the time. He most the puck well, and we’ve seen his skating. Tonight, he got the primary assist, springing Gavin Brindley on the 3v2. He also played with Jacob Truscott, tonight. He looks like he’s now in the Top 6.

-Ethan Edwards didn’t play too terribly overall, but did make the mistake on the tying first State goal. Tanner Kelly was turning into the crease, but Edwards held back, wary of the backdoor pass…that never came. It’s fine to take away the pass…but not at the expense of a fourth liner getting into the crease.

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Michigan got one power play chance in the second period. They moved the puck well, and created a couple good chances, but nothing got on frame. Casey fired a shot that Hughes tipped wide. Gavin Brindley ripped a shot from the dot that also sailed wide. That was it for the Wolverine man advantage.

Penalty Kill. Michigan State didn’t get a power play until late in the third period holding a 3-1 lead. They did create a few chances, but Dylan Duke got the best chance with a breakaway…that Trey Augustine also saved.

All Day Trey (Bill Rapai)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Jake Barczewski started in net on Friday night and played pretty well. Maybe he could have done something on the late tip second goal next to the crease, but it would have been a tough play. He couldn’t do much on the other two. He did, however, play very well overall. He made a number of pad and kick saves, a couple getting across the crease. The story of the game, though was Trey Augustine. He saved dangerous chance after dangerous chance…14/15 from the House. Yikes. This was Trey Augustine’s second game at Yost…and his second game that he shined like a star.

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. Michigan did a great job in transition on Friday night. They didn’t give up an OMR. They got close a couple times, but Rutger McGroarty ran down Reed Lebster to negate a breakaway.

Michigan got one 3v2 and took advantage of it. Gavin Brindley toe-dragged Nash Nienhuis to get into the slot where he fired his patented wrister inside the far post, beating Trey Augustine for Michigan’s lone marker. Dylan Duke also got a short-handed breakaway late in the third, but he couldn’t beat Augustine low blocker.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Michigan played well enough for a couple periods, just mostly unable to get much by Trey Augustine. In the third, their defense had a few more wobbles and the Spartans took advantage. Jake Barczewski was unable to erase the defensive mistakes. Michigan cut open the Spartan defense with repetition, but Trey Augustine showed why he was drafted so highly. None of this was unpredictable. In fact, it was rather predictable. Aside from a few instances, Michigan needs to outscore their problems. Facing Augustine can complicate that. It did at Yost…again. It wasn’t a terrible loss. Michigan State is a good team…or a good enough team with an awesome goaltender. But not beating State at Yost once all year? That will not sit well with this group. Saturday night on BTN from LCA at 8:30pm.