OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan lost four forwards to the World Juniors camp. Two of those are their primary creators: Bordeleau and Beniers. That showed extensively tonight. Minnesota lost three defensemen and replaced them with guys who played just like the guys who left. No one played like Bordeleau and Beniers for Michigan. Minnesota is scary talented and Lake Superior deep. Michigan jumbled some lines and played super physical in the first period and mostly held their own. They did hit the post and have a few decent chances, but it was mostly flashback offense to the last couple of years: decent to good chances, but very little Grade A. They were also lacking a quality finish…aside from Kent Johnson’s very nice top shelf backhander that kept the game from being a shutout.

Where did he go? Where did whooooooooo go?? [James Coller]

DEFENSE

Analysis: After a evenly-played first period, Michigan’s old trouble came to call in the second period. This is the seventh game in a row for Michigan where their opponent has significantly increased their production in the middle frame. Minnesota scored their second goal after some great pressure and a bad DZTO from the Wolverines. The issue is that Strauss Mann saved about four of those chances earlier in the period. Michigan’s woeful defensive performances keep continuing, and Minnesota hammered them tonight. Owen Power was also ghosted rather easily on Meyers wondergoal that included about every skater on the ice. He was far from alone in that respect as Pehrson, Blankenburg, and Truscott all had their moments tonight. Right now, Michigan’s defense is rather leaky, and after tomorrow…a midseason break already has a high priority Must-Fix list.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan took two bad penalties in the second period that gave the Gophers back to back power plays. After Minnesota looked dangerous on the first one, the converted early in the second one. A diagonal pass dissected the Wolverine Kill, once again. Mann saved the initial shot from the dot, but a scramble lead to a leak-in goal. The Kill still has the same issues of being easily picks apart with cross-ice passing. They also just cannot give away silly penalties. LaPointe’s slash was from a benign position. They also had two Too Many Men calls…which just cannot happen. Michigan was skating a couple of guys that haven’t played much this year and the lines were definitely jumbled, but one of those calls was on the man advantage…effectively ending Michigan’s best shot to get back in the game. Ugh.

There were just too many that needed to be like this [James Coller]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann continues to show just how good he is and how important he is to this team. He made about 5-6 very good saves, including multiple after defensemen got beat forcing him into a do-or-die scenario. Strauss kept this game close as long as he could…which was late into the third. I’ve never had to talk about this before, but Mann was not pulled for an extra skater in the last few minutes with Michigan down 3-1. That just seems inexcusable. There was chatter around the press box if three minutes was too early to pull him. Apparently…it was. I just don’t get keeping him in net that whole time.

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan gave up an early 3v2…and paid for it…but then didn’t. Mann made the initial save, but he was obstructed on the rebound and the goal was waived. Late in the game with Minnesota up 3-1, the Wolverines were chancing and Minnesota missed a breakaway attempt and a 2v1 that just went wide.

Michigan did not create an OMR, tonight. Minnesota was very good in transition, and Michigan could not pressure them out of position.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 54, Minnesota 44