good defense

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

What just happened (TL;DR): After both teams traded goals in the first 10+ minutes of the game, the goaltending and defense took over at Yost…for pretty much the rest of the evening. Ryan Bischel and Jake Barczewski both played really well in a game that looked destined for overtime. With under three minutes to go, Gavin Brindley fed grad transfer Marshall Warren above the slot. The fifth year player launched a shot through Bischel’s five hole to give the Wolverines a 2-1 lead. In storybook fashion, Michigan had to close down the remaining few minutes with stellar defensive structure and a goaltending performance to remember.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-While Michigan’s offense got better as the game moved along, they still struggled to overwhelm the Irish the way they did on Friday night. Notre Dame was much better at shutting down the Wolverine attack…and Ryan Bischel made a bunch of good saves. This has been a bit of a consistent theme for Michigan: struggling with creating –especially high danger chances- on the second night of series.

-Gavin Brindley had a highlight reel goal to tie the game in the first period. He snatched a loose puck in the neutral zone. Flew down the wall, curling below the dot. Then he absolutely sniped the short-side top corner to surprise Ryan Bischel. While giving up a goal short-side is suboptimal…that was quite a shot from Brindley. He also looked more and more dangerous as the night moved progresses, as well. His skating, passing, and shooting are a sight to behold.

-The top line was looking better tonight, as well. Garrett Schifsky and Frank Nazar had a handful of really nice looks. I think this line swap will only add scoring depth and give Michigan two very good lines. The bottom six played well, too. I don’t expect tons of scoring, but they work really hard and play very smart. There’s a lot to like down there.

De-Fense! De-Fense!! (Bill Rapai)

Defense Notes.

-Again, Irish caveats do apply…BUT, Michigan played some very  good defense again…for most of the game. There were a couple of stretches where it got a tad hairy, not being able to clear the zone and such. However, they limited Notre Dame to nine SOGs from the House…and a handful of those were on the power play.

-The last couple minutes after being given the lead were something that this unit absolutely NEEDED. They’ve struggled all year to protect leads, play well late (especially in their own zone), and just close out games. Tonight, that is 100% what they did and did it with flying colors.

-How about Marshall Warren? A ex-captain from Boston College, hasn’t exactly had the year we all expected. But, boy, did he come through at the biggest moment of the season! He fired a shot from straightaway as the minutes were counting down to give the Wolverines a joyous lead. Honestly, he looked pretty good all weekend in all areas of the ice. He wasn’t too bad last weekend, either. If he starts to hit his stride, it would be a massive boon heading into postseason play.

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

What just happened (TL;DR): In what was clearly Michigan’s best single performance of the year, Michigan just dominated and finished Michigan State in all phases on Friday night. The Wolverines got FOUR power play goals, a shorthanded goal, and then two even strength goals to take three points at Munn. Also, apparently sending about eight dudes to the showers early breaks the stats/shot tracking system.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Michigan’s speed, skill, and puck control were turned up to eleven on Friday night at Munn. The Wolverines created chances in transition, cycled the puck, and got shooters open all over the ice. I don’t even need to see actual numbers to feel confident of that. They won this game early, and blew the Spartan doors off late.

-Not to step on the last section, but the Wolverines created bushels of OMRs, finishing two of them. They looked like the more prepared team. Their compete level never waivered. They finished the game without a real letdown.

-Michigan also went with the Hero Line approach, putting Frank Nazar, Gavin Brindley, and Rutger McGroarty all on the same line. It definitely worked tonight. I think it is something that can continue, as long as they produce. Michigan didn’t get any in-zone even strength goals, but won the game on special teams and in transition. Before the injuries, I thought that the Nazar/Schifsky and Brindley/Rutger pairings were two solid lines. Guys can be fit around them, there are plenty of guys for a solid fourth line…then you just need the right combo for the third/depth line. This will be something to monitor going forward.

Defense Notes.

-This was the best defensive performance of the year. After a couple of early bobbles in the opening minutes, Michigan State never really truly threatened at even strength (aside from a couple of giveaways that will be discussed soon). The Wolverines also kept their House clean. They cleared loose pucks and rebounds. These were the sticking points during the first half that just never seemed to get adjusted. It’s only one game, but it was against a very dangerous offensive team. Michigan just shut them down. Do it again.

-One point that must be talked about a little bit is Jacob Truscott. Ugh, he is the one guy who almost got MSU back into the game. He had at least 3-4 very poor giveaways that probably should have lead to at least a goal. Jake Barczewski came up massive on the most egregious one. Truscott was never the most dangerous offensive defenseman, so holding his own in his end needs to be where he makes his hay. He’s been a very solid player throughout his career, so he should hopefully bounce back. Just not his best night.

-Watching Seamus Casey with the puck is probably my favorite part of this team. They definitely have some Dudes, but Casey skating, creating, and vision are maybe the best combination that I’ve seen wear the Block M. It was on display again on Friday night with a super slick set up to Dylan Duke and just another smooth toe-drag to create space for his goal. Just special with the puck. He also made a couple of very nice noticeable defensive plays, as well!

-Ethan Edwards played against a real opponent for the first time since Tampa, last Spring. He didn’t look out of place, but didn’t do anything extraordinary either. That’s fine. It will come. Having him back should only be a boon for the team.

-Steve Holtz rag-dolled Artyom Levshunov in a fake college hockey fight. That was an enjoyable watch.

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

What just happened (TL;DR): In a game that Michigan mostly controlled at even strength, garnering many more dangerous chances that Penn State, it took extra hockey to decide it. Mackie Samoskevich strode into the zone, curled into the high slot and sniped a game-winner above Liam Souliere, who played the game of his life. Michigan had great chances all evening, but just could not both beat Souliere and get the chance on frame. Each team tallied on the power play to get the game to OT. Then, it was Mackie Time…

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-While the even strength corsi attempts are relatively even, the eye test says that the dangerous chances mostly favored Michigan. They also got many more attempts on frame. Penn State got most of their best looks in transition (more later). The Wolverines were dangerous from the drop, creating a Grade A chance on the first shift. While they did struggle at times, the game felt like Michigan left plenty of goals on the table. Perhaps, when the Dentists left town on Friday, they stole Michigan’s regulation finishing.

-Alex mentioned early…and it never really changed –the Adam Fantilli line was just dominant. Between Adam, Rutger McGroarty, and Gavin Brindley, the Wolverines just pummeled Penn State’s defense, turning they over in zone, cycling to hold possession, and even pushing them back to get chances in transition. It seemed like they generated a Grade A chance every other time they were on the ice. They just could not finish like they did on Friday. That’s hockey. 

-Mackie Samoskevich now has a place as a Michigan Legend getting the first Wolverine NCAA Tournament OT game-winner since Tyler Motte in 2016.

Defense Notes.

-Overall, I thought Michigan’s in-zone defense was really good. All three pairings generally kept the Ice Lions to the perimeter and rarely allowed a Grade A chance that put Erik Portillo on the spot. Jay Keranen and Ethan Edwards both made very nice plays in their own end all night. Obviously there were occasional breakdowns, but, again, that’s hockey. If the team plays that kind of defense against a high scoring unit, Michigan’s chances for getting more victories this season increase tremendously.

-This was not Luke Hughes best game. While he did do well moving the puck and getting across lines, he also had a few brutal turnovers that lead to some OMRs going the other way. He also played a role on the goal allowed, failing to get a clear, and then not picking up the rebounder after Portillo came out to make the original save. Luke has had a number of dazzling moments in Maize and Blue and had games that dragged a struggling Michigan team to victories. This game was a little further down the list, though.