Michigan Hockey 17-18, Game #9: Michigan 5, Minnesota 4

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In a game against Minnesota on Friday at Yost Ice Arena (Ryan McLoughlin/2017)

This is an appropriate reaction to a game-winning header (Ryan McLoughlin)

OFFENSE

 

Corsi (Shot Attempts)

House (Crease to Dot to Dot)

Possession %

First Period

17 5 45%

Second Period

17 7 45%

Third Period

19 9 61%

Overtime

3 1 30%

TOTAL

56 22 48%

Analysis: This was a very encouraging result from Michigan. While they were slightly out-possessed, Michigan managed to create a lot of chances, especially as the game wore on. They dominated the third period and got into the House with regularity. They do rely a ton on their top two lines and the provided. Cooper Marody looked in control all night, tallying two assists, including a great hold behind the net and then finding a driving Slaker to tie the game. Tony Calderone also drove some play, sniped a corner, and led a 2v1, finding Ol’ Dex, who also sniped a corner. Michigan’s top two lines went against six drafted defensemen and held their own. They took and finished the chances they were given well. This is exactly what this offense needs to do.

[Hit THE JUMP for a breakdown of other units]

In a game against Minnesota on Friday at Yost Ice Arena (Ryan McLoughlin/2017)

When it comes to skating, there’s Hughes…and there’s Not Exactly (Ryan McLoughlin)

DEFENSE

 

Corsi(Shot Attempts)

House(Crease to Dot to Dot)

Possession %

First Period

21 4 55%

Second Period

21 11 55%

Third Period

12 6 39%

Overtime

7 3 70%

TOTAL

61 24 52%

Analysis: So, I won’t go as far as saying that this was a fantastic defensive performance, but against a talented Minnesota attack, it was acceptable. There was a blip in the third period where some goals were scored and chances created, but for the most part, Michigan kept Minnesota out of the House and to the edges. The numbers were going to come for the Gophers with the talent that they possess, but Michigan hung right with them for the most part and stayed in front of a lot of shots. The fourth goal was a poor clearance that took a bad bounce over LaFontaine. So, while the goal might not have been on the defense, not being able to get the puck out and stay in front of forwards will come back to get you.

Junior Forward Cooper Marody (20) In a game against Minnesota on Friday at Yost Ice Arena (Ryan McLoughlin/2017)

Cooper Marody is coming into his own (Ryan McLoughlin)

SPECIAL TEAMS

 

PP For

PP Against

PP Corsi For

PP Corsi Against

PP Shots/Min For

PP Shots/Min Against

First Period

0/2 n/a 2 n/a .67 (3 mins) n/a

Second Period

n/a 1/2 n/a 4 n/a .33 (3 mins)

Third Period

0/1 n/a 3 n/a 1 n/a

Overtime

1/1 n/a 2 n/a 2 n/a

TOTAL

1/4 1/2 7 4 1 .33

Analysis: Michigan did a good job not taking penalties against Minnesota. The Gophers’ first goal was a shot from the point that was deflected behind LaFontaine. That was the only shot that Michigan surrendered down a man. A bit unlucky, but only one shot for Minnesota on the power play is great. On the flip side, Michigan drew four penalties and looked pretty good all night. They also averaged a shot per minute on six power play minutes (two power plays were only a minute long each). They scored in OT on a shot from Lockwood that was saved by Schierhorn right to Alex Roos who FACED home the game-winner. Yay, fortunate bounces!

GOALTENDING

 

Shots Faced

Shots from House Faced

First Period

12 1

Second Period

12 9

Third Period

7 4

Overtime

0 0

TOTAL

31 14

Analysis: This was not a Jack LaFontaine Special by any means. He gave up four goals, but I’m not sure for which one I can fault him. There was a deflection, a goal off a defenseman's skate, a snipe after Boka was toe-dragged, and an unlucky bounce through a couple of defenders and off of his pads. I guess he could make the save on the Novak snipe, but that would have been a fantastic grab. He wasn’t faced with a barrage of shots, but he still made a few game-savers when things were starting to go badly in the second. It will be interesting to see if Lavigne starts tomorrow. I thought after last weekend if JLF looked great, he might get the Saturday start. Tonight was fine, but not amazing. I bet Lavigne starts.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

 

Rushes

Advantages

Escape %

First Period

n/a n/a n/a

Second Period

1 2v1 0%

Third Period

n/a n/a n/a

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

1 2v1 0%

Analysis: Once again, Michigan is generally sound in this department. They only gave up one odd-man rush. It came to bite them, though, finally. Calderone was outskated by Sheehy down the ice and the puck bounced off of an M skate and just inside the post. It was going to happen eventually. From what I’ve seen, that was the only true OMR goal Michigan has surrendered this season. Very defensively sound against a super-talented team.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Minnesota 61, Michigan 56

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Minnesota 58, Michigan 56

Comments

stephenrjking

November 11th, 2017 at 12:13 AM ^

This isn't a vintage Michigan team dripping with brilliance, but there's a steady confidence that was missing last year. And the players really seem to be learning to get into all the right positions. Taking the right shots, checking the right guys, all of that. 

This feels like a team that finishes a bit over .500 and spends big parts of the year in sight of, but not within, tournament position, before finishing 4-6 spots out.

After last year, that's not bad at all. 

gpmurf

November 11th, 2017 at 2:03 AM ^

It is not a vintage team yet. They are young and you can expect flashes of brilliance along with a few head scratchers as well. This was very true for the Ferris series I sat in on last week.

Pearson, while not vintage yet, is aging well and the cask will be worth cracking sooner rather than later. This win is, however, signature and should vault Michigan into the national rankings for the first time in a while. Here's hoping they continue to build from this. The system is clearly better than what we have had for the last four years or so and all of the guys seem to be buying in - also for the first time in five or six years.

Very pleased with the turn around in culture around that locker room. Even at .500 I will be pleased with the progress in the above mentioned items. They look like a team again and not a mishmash of talent. It's almost hard not to look forward to the future and just focus on the progress.

Grampy

November 11th, 2017 at 7:50 AM ^

What I saw was a Michigan team which, for the first 25 minutes, was put back on their heels by the size and speed of the Gophers. They were slower to pucks, didn't connect on passes as well, etc. Then something clicked and they started skating and passing better. I'm thinking we ran them out of gas.

Zeeland

November 11th, 2017 at 8:35 AM ^

The third period was very different than the first one and a half periods. UM was hanging with them in the first but way behind in shots if I remember correctly. UM really put the pressure on in the third for long stretches and dominated during those times. I do think all the time spent in their zone during those stretches took a toll. Great to see them win that one.