Frozen Four Game 1 - Michigan v Denver
Makes sure to get in your pregame nap, crush a sando, and tell off Shorsey one last time, boys. We've shipped up to Boston, boys! Time to fire in a couple bar-down wristers, half-clapper top cheddar, biscuit top titties bardownskis all weekend long. Always bardownski, boys.
NCAA semifinal (Boston, Mass.), 5 p.m.
TV: ESPN2 | Live Audio | onhockey.tv
I'm going with a comfortable 3-goal Michigan win, 6-3. What's your score prediction?
1-0 them after one.
First 15 was bad. Last 5 was pretty good. Keep that up and we could/should be alright
I don't like that there was so much time between Allentown and Boston.
Shots: U-M 4, Denver 7.
Would like to see the replay on that offsides, I don’t think that was.
I'll take it. Let's get passes on the tape instead of in the skates and start controlling the rebounds.
Also sharpen Beniers' skates in particular. He fell a LOT.
Yeah, Denver didn’t “own “that first period. They start out well, had their best go, and it turned toward Michigan as soon as their goal was scored. Lord willing, Denver has shot their wad and it’s gonna be Michigan time from now on.
... and the crick don't rise.
That was a pretty awful 1st period, it felt like Denver had 6 skaters plus a goalie the whole time.
They better start playing better, too much puck mishandling and poor defense.
I thought Chrona looked pretty shaky in that period. Not very confident.
Honestly the pbp guys were having a blast with NO SHOTS :o all period but Denver only had 7 and it finished 7-4. Faceoffs finished 10-8 Michigan. We're alright
If the refs are going to allow all those after the whistle cheap shots, time to start giving some subtle shoulders and jabs to their top players, too.
OK, we're a second period team.
After 1 period what I've seen is:
- Slow Michigan start which seems to be the norm this year
- Denver is double-teaming the puck in the neutral zone stopping the puck handler but also taking away the passing lane. Michigan adjusted their neutral zone spacing towards the end of the period which worked a bit better
- In the offensive zone Denver is sagging everyone below the top of the circles so basically 5 on 3 down low which means open D at the points or slot if the D sag there. So far Michigan has won zero 3 on 5s so it has worked perfectly for DU
- In the offensive corners Denver is covering the boards on the same side as the corner scrum so if Michigan wins possession they can't keep going up the same boards because it is constantly getting picked off starting DUs offense. Michigan will need to go all the way around the boards to the opposite D that is being left alone or have that far side D start sagging to the high slot
- In the defensive zone obviously cover someone but that's been an issue all year against other wide-open teams
2nd Period:
- Neutral zone spacing was much better
- Made DU pay for trying to play 5 on 3 deep so they had to have the wingers stay a bit higher
- More offensive zone dumps helped because DU has played a very hard blue line making it real tough to carry into the zone
- Grinder line gets a goal & will see more time because they're winning those O zone battles and gritty goals may be the difference
- Still getting outshot but that's pretty common for this team as they often try to make that one extra pass instead of just shooting. I would like to see more shots in the 3rd
- Portillo has been the best player for Michigan so far....probably gonna need that to continue into the 3rd
***edit*** Bordeleau has been great this game with positioning & face offs
It's our period: LFG!
2nd period under way. Let's Go Blue! Get that next goal!
Good shift by Beecher's line.
Better boys. Keep those legs going.
We're looking better. Just a matter of time, but we're still being out physicaled.
Denver getting away with being endlessly chippy. Theyre shoving and grabbing every play
Michigan looking considerably better
LETS GET IT!
LFG boys.
Denver owns dot to dot? We've had the puck all period.
He's talking about the area between the faceoff dots going side-to-side, meaning that Denver is forcing Michigan to keep the puck to the less dangerous areas outside by the walls.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL!
Lambert! 1-1!
GOOOOOALLLLLL. Great shift by that 4th line
GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL
GOALLLLLLL!!! 1-1 Game On!!! Lambert
So excited I double posted
GOOOOOOOL
LFG!!!!!
Ice tilts one way, they get a goal
Ice was all our way, our goal was surely coming there.
Now keep it going!!!
Alright, let's play some hockey!
Sleeping Giant: Awake.
Lets GO BLUE
We want MOAR goals!
The cream is rising to the top
Stop saying dangle Bucci.
I love Bucci's passion for hockey but he's not great at play by play.
He's forgotten more than I'll ever know, and I don't mind the pbp, but him getting hung up on the word dangle for a generic stickhandling move has gotten grating.
Refs need to call this dumb after the whistle stick work.
Theyre doing an annoying job of being constantly chippy but never doing quite enough to draw a whistle
Yeah. I'd issue a warning and say the next one is going to be a two.
Michigan playing the aggressor now. Great to see
We've gotten used to their strategy and style of play, now controlling the game.
Keep playing like this boys, let's do this!
Im listening to the game on The Varsity Network. Really enjoy their work! Great start to the 2nd! Let's Go!