Alright, last night was about helping people. Tonight…let’s see what we can get Ace (and maybe Brian –if there’s a revolt!) to do! More things on the table! Hair cuts, dye jobs, ink, piercings, limb severances…ok, maybe I’ve taken this too far. Just give, okay?
https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/in-honor-of-the-anbenders-lets-find-a-cure-for-cfs/

OFFENSE

Analysis: This was not an offensive juggernaut by any means, but this is not what the game lent itself to for Michigan. They scored super early, a nice wrister by Brendan Warren– again. Michigan then got a PP tally a few minutes later. While they did create a few chances, Michigan was mostly content to control play and suffocate this game away…which they seemed to do starting in the mid 2nd period. Aside from trading PP goals in the 2nd, Michigan enjoyed a lot possession and generally put the puck in safe places. In a series that generally requires goalz to win, this one did not, and Michigan played it well.

[After THE JUMP: a defensive juggernaut in wait?]

This guy is just everywhere. Guess who? (Bryan Fuller)

DEFENSE

Analysis: So, there were definitely some misses by Minnesota. My charts show some triangles (what I use for shots that go wide) from the dots and near the top of the house area. However, this might have been one of the best defensive performances of the year from Michigan. Mostly keeping the house clean, not many bad DZTOs, no awful OMRs…all things that have haunted Michigan in the past. Minnesota doesn’t have scoring monsters, but two shots on seven even-strength attempts on net in the third when Minnesota had to press and take chances? That’s exactly what this team has been needing to do all year. They’re don’t have the scoring of 2016- or old Yost Ghosts- but they have capable defensemen and playing to their defensive potential could…maybe…take…them…to the tournament?

Josh Norris comin’ (Bryan Fuller)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan finally cashed in on a couple of power play chances. It’s been a little while for Michigan, but Norris had quite the shot from the slot to tally the second goal of the game. Marody added the third off of a clever little shot from along the goalline that got behind Schierhorn. After not registering an attempt on net on either power play on Friday night, Michigan generates eight attempts on net from their three man advantages. I’ll take it.

Still not great from the penalty kill, though. They only took four penalties (one matching), but still surrendered a goal. They could have potentially given up more if Minnesota could hit the net. Minnesota had a handful of misses off of one-timers that were open. Michigan looks very passive on their penalty kill. I guess this is by design. Either way, this unit has gotten worse and their PK % keeps dropping; it's below 75% after tonight. Something drastic has to be done. The defense is getting better and maybe there is some scoring depth? PK has to be addressed.

A fist bump deserved (James Coller)

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Hayden Lavigne got his fifth straight start and looked good. He also wasn’t called upon to do a ton. The goal was after a scrum in front of the net on a power play that he probably made at least one save previous to the puck going into the net. I do remember one bad rebound he pushed into the slot, but it was cleared before any further danger could come into play. Other than that, Lavigne looked solid. Granted the defense played very well in front of him, but he made the saves he needed to make, he moved well enough in the crease, and did make a couple of very nice saves in addition to the ones that are expected of him. I can’t imagine he won’t start next Friday.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: So, I counted one OMR. That shot was deflected out of play. That’s it. Again, the game was fast, and I did have the NFL Playoffs on, but…one OMR of memory is great. I think the defense thing could be for real. We’ll see as Penn State comes to Yost next weekend.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 38, Minnesota 35

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 39, Minnesota 35