OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan’s attack started slow, and then really picked up. Once the game opened up, the skill and speed for Michigan’s forwards was very apparent. They created plenty of almost-chances before a nifty pass from Bordeleau to Mike Pasta led to his first goal of the game. Matty Beniers re-created his pass to Eric Ciccolini from Sunday, as Twice is Nice for the duo. I might argue that Beniers is Michigan’s best forward so far. This was not a game of consistent high end passing and offensive creativity, but it came in spurts and the talent was able to finish enough chances. In the last few years, Michigan would tally these corsi numbers from time to time. They would not always get goals out of those attempts. Those years appear to be behind us now, though. If Michigan creates these chances, pucks will be filling nets.

DEFENSE

Analysis: Wisconsin started the game by pressuring Michigan’s defensemen, and the Wolverines struggled to get the puck into the attacking zone. Michigan also had ups and downs with breakouts and DZTOs. In the latter half of the game, though, Michigan tightened down defensively and started making smarter passes. They also were stronger taking the puck off of attackers. Wisconsin does have some talent to match the Wolverines skill, and they showed it tonight. Once Michigan adjusted to the speed –and got the lead, ha- they looked a lot calmer in the back end and saw the game out.

After ripping shot after shot after shot last weekend, Brendan Brisson cashed one tonight [James Coller]

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Once Michigan was able to get on the power play, the game changed. Thomas Bordeleau found Brendan Brisson with a pinpoint dime across the circles. Jimmy Lambert made the pass of his career with a backhander along the boards behind the net to a wide open Johnny Beecher, who tallied Michigan’s fourth goal of the evening. Giving Michigan man advantages is a death wish. Once again the puck movement, player spacing, and finishing ability is elite.

Michigan took three penalties tonight. Wisconsin looked dangerous for their first minute before the Wolverines were able to clear the puck. The Badgers did break through on their second opportunity after a phenomenal pass and move combination between Cole Caufield and Linus Weissbach. Wisconsin ended their third chance with a penalty. Michigan’s penalty kill was much improved last season and they’re now starting to end opponent power plays by drawing calls this season. That’s an effective strategy.

Strauss handled his business when called upon once again [James Coller]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started his third game in a row for Michigan tonight. He looked like Strauss Mann. Given Michigan’s slow adjustment to Wisconsin’s pressure and speed, he was called upon more often than he was last weekend. When the game opened up in the second frame, he made a number of nice saves to keep Michigan close and then held down the lead. Included in those was a breakaway shutdown of whiz-bang Cole Caulfield. With all of the attention going to Michigan’s attack and freshman phenoms, Strauss came up big tonight against a Badger team that can fill the net. The Badgers did score a season high two goals on Strauss, but he had zero chance to stop either.

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan created a 3v2, but Beecher drove wide and his attempt was saved. Conversely, Johnny threw a Pick 6 to Cole Caufield who skated in alone and Strauss Mann got squarely in front of the shot. That was a big moment in the game.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 58, Wisconsin 45