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

What just happened (TL;DR): The narrative coming into the game was Michigan’s breakouts and ability to get the puck in transition. Ohio State had stuffed Michigan in a locker in their last couple of games. Not tonight. Michigan beat the forecheck time and time again. They got out and filled the net with ease. Michigan blitzed Jakub Dobes repeatedly, scoring five times before adding empty netters late. Just like football.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Michigan took Ohio State’s forecheck and shoved it right back at them. On the first shift, Michigan generated an OMR, leading to Gavin Brindley sniping the top corner to give Michigan the lead 23 seconds into the game. Aside from a stretch in the first period where Michigan got hemmed in for a little while, the Wolverines were quick and efficient moving the puck to the open cutter and getting out of the zone. That lead to many chances in the offensive end. Jakub Dobes didn’t have his best game, but he also gave Ohio State a chance by making a number a great saves. Michigan just dominated the game in the offensive end and won the game in the first two periods.

-Michigan got finishes from their top three lines on Saturday night. Aside from Brindley’s early snipe, Mackie Samoskevich had a graceful tip deflection at the top of the crease to put Michigan up 3-0 midway through the first period. Rutger McGroarty made a sweet pass from the boards to a cutting Adam Fantilli down the slot. Fantilli blistered a shot past Dobes. Jackson Hallum tallied his 6th goal of the year on a snapshot off of a faceoff win that seemed to surprise Jakub Dobes. Hallum just keeps adding to his repertoire.

-Rutger McGroarty (1G, 1A) and Adam Fantilli (2G, 2A) both added empty net goals late in the third period, sending Yost into euphoria.

-Adam Fantilli scored his 60th point of the year in his 32nd game of the year. He increased his national point lead to six over second place Colin Graf of Quinnipiac.

What a night for Keaton Pehrson (Bill Rapai)

Defense Notes.

-Michigan’ defense was lights out for the first two periods when the game was in doubt. Not only did they break the puck out with ease and efficiency, but they didn’t surrender many good looks, either. Ohio State’s forecheck ate them up time and time again during the season, but Michigan adjusted well and passed the puck really well in their own zone. Now, in the third period, some bad habits returned. OSU turned up the pressure and threw caution to the wind more than usual. The Wolverines did start to break down and cede chances. However, they had done the work earlier that put them in a position to be able to afford a couple more mistakes. When Michigan plays well in their own zone, they are extremely tough to beat.

-Keaton Pehrson had one of his best (if not his best) games in a Michigan uniform. He had maybe the best pass of his career on a diagonal from the point to Mackie Samoskevich’s stick at the top of the crease. Pehrson added another assist making a nice zone exit and chipping the puck up the boards, around a Buckeye, to Adam Fantilli for his empty netter. He was the best defensive defenseman on the ice for Michigan tonight, as well. Pehrson has played top pair minutes next to Luke Hughes for the last couple of months. Until Jacob Truscott returns, that should continue. Tonight, was a great night for the senior.

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Ohio State has the best penalty kill in the nation, and it showed on Saturday night. Michigan got one great look all night. It was a sweet tic-tac-toe from high to low to the slot…with an extra dish to the opposite wing. Adam Fantilli received the pass, but missed the wide open net. Other than that, the Wolverines had trouble threatening, though. Not the best showing for the Michigan power play.

Penalty Kill. WOOF. Michigan basically faced two man advantages and gave up a goal on each one (the other power play was 20 seconds of skating in OSU’s own zone). Ohio State dissected Michigan’s PK with ease on their opening chance. Two passes between Wolverine killers and one through a defenseman in front of the net. Easy tap-in goal. On the second goal, Mason Lohrei made an incredible play to beat a guy, catch a pass with his skate, shift it to his stick, and fire it just wide off the endboards. The puck ricocheted to Travis Treloar to the side of the net. He made a creative shot to lift the puck over a diving Erik Portillo and around the post. It was a skilled play, but not as hard to pull off when no one is around you. Also, two goals on two shots? That PK will not get it done next week or in the tournament. 

He’s coming around. That’s three really solid games in a row for the Big Swede (Bill Rapai)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. This was more of the Erik Portillo from last season. He had a couple of issues with rebounds at times (mainly the waved off goal), but he was very sound positionally and made very Mount Portillo saves, taking away space from sharp angled. His best play of the night (maybe the season) was recognizing Tate Singleton alone on the backside. Before Singleton could get a shot away, Erik lunged at him stuffing the attempted shot and smothering the puck. Not only was it a great play, but it was even better awareness. Awesome. Regarding the goals, he never really had a chance. Both power play tallies came from in tight, open shooters, and incisive passing. That’s not on Portillo at all. If Michigan gets these performances from the big Swede, their chances in the next few weeks go much higher.

Usually Hallum is the guy getting out in transition. Tonight it was a snapper (Bill Rapai)

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. Ohio State got a 3v2 early in the first period. Portillo made the initial save, but couldn’t cover it. Eventually, the puck was whacked into the net. Brandon Naurato challenged for being offside, and he was correct…overturning the goal. Portillo also made a save and scramble cover later on another 2v1. Those were the only OMRs that Michigan surrendered…a far cry from the six that they gave up in Cleveland, the last time these teams played.

Michigan got out in transition all night. Luke Hughes beat the forecheck on the first shift, leading to a 3v2. Gavin Brindley tucked inside from the wing, fired from the slot, and beat Dobes in the top corner to open the scoring. The Wolverines also logged a few more chances in transition, but could not get as good of looks. Mark Estapa had a chance late on a 2v1, but Dobes was there.

FINAL THOUGHTS

As good as Minnesota is, Ohio State has been Michigan’s nemesis this season. Sitting in the stands, watching warm-ups, this had a The Game feel to it. Usually, that doesn’t happen in hockey because teams play too often. However, on Saturday, this was Michigan’s biggest test. Not only beating a really good team in a tournament, but attempting to overcome their own kryptonite. Not only did they win the game, they played really well, and broke through Ohio State, while shutting them down. That feels like coaching to me. Michigan learned, re-evaluated, then executed the necessary game plan. Once they got out in open ice consistently, their talent took over. As I write this, Minnesota is beating Michigan State 3-1. It looks like the Wolverines will have to win a Big Ten Tournament on the road…again. Good thing they did it last year, as well.

Just. Like. Football.