good offense

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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan and Michigan State played a very even, tight game into the third period. Finally, Michigan’s defense broke, giving up a few Grade A chances that the Spartans converted. Trey Augustine pretty much held the Wolverines off the board all night. He was the difference-maker once again at Yost.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-This was one of the better played games at Yost all year. For two periods, both teams were playing an even game at a high level. Michigan probably had a slight edge in dangerous chances, but both teams were rolling lines and generating chances. It felt like a Top Five matchup.

-Once again, Trey Augustine was the difference. In the end, Michigan got half of their shots from the House, and at least 4-5 from the top of the crease. Augustine stopped them all. He saw everything, got side to side very well, and just was in control all night. The Wolverines got good looks up and down their forward lines, but sometimes a great goalie is unbeatable.

-Michigan did have a goal called back, early in the second period. Augustine finally fumbled a puck that came out a little late, and Garrett Schifsky grabbed it and fired it into the net. However, the referee lost sight of the puck, and blew the whistle. It didn’t seem like Trey ever completely had it, but that’s how it goes sometimes. You just don’t get many mistakes from great goaltenders.

-Honestly, I thought Michigan’s forwards were pretty good all night. They created good chances, beat the MSU defense, even back-checked pretty well for most of the night. Other that JUST SCORE, I don’t know what else to ask.

No defenseman in the frame is bad (Bill Rapai)

Defense Notes.

-Michigan’s defense played pretty well for a couple periods. They moved the puck well, cleared their zone, and only gave up five shots from the House. Finally, they just broke in the third period, and started giving up too many A+ chances. That was it.

-Seamus Casey and Tyler Duke looked really dangerous going forward for most of the night. However, they were the pair caught on the ice for that extended shift early in the third. Casey botched and exit, and the puck stayed in the Wolverine end. Finally Daniel Russell was able to snipe a top corner to give the Spartans a lead they wouldn’t relenquish.

-Steve Holtz didn’t play a ton, but he did get beat to the near post, just after the second goal, by Karsen Dorwart. Dorwart may or may not had deflected the shot. Either way, with Luca Fantilli playing well, I’m not sure what ice time will be left for Holtz.

-Luca Fantilli is stringing together some performances. He played very well in his own zone most of the time. He most the puck well, and we’ve seen his skating. Tonight, he got the primary assist, springing Gavin Brindley on the 3v2. He also played with Jacob Truscott, tonight. He looks like he’s now in the Top 6.

-Ethan Edwards didn’t play too terribly overall, but did make the mistake on the tying first State goal. Tanner Kelly was turning into the crease, but Edwards held back, wary of the backdoor pass…that never came. It’s fine to take away the pass…but not at the expense of a fourth liner getting into the crease.

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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan just won the Big Ten Hockey Tournament in Minneapolis for the second straight season! They responded well being down a goal twice, including once in the third period. AND…they killed off a game, holding a one goal lead for the final 8+ minutes. All very impressive feats that they’ve struggled with throughout the year. #EyeballEmoji

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-After a back and forth boring first period, Michigan mostly dominated possession and shots for the rest of the game. While they did makes mistakes to give up a number of transitional chances, Michigan rolled their lines and were able to sustain zone time and create looks on net with basically every line contributing. Minnesota’s superstar top line did get their chances, but Michigan’s depth (h/t Alex) proved strong throughout the game.

-Rutger McGroarty tallied Michigan’s first two goals on similar chances. The first came on a rebound that Ethan Edwards threw on net. The rebound kicked to Rutger in the slot and he buried it. The second was a bomb from Keaton Pehrson off the end boards out in front. Again, Rutger was positioned well in front the of the net for the rebound dunk. He also provided the screen on the game-tying goal.

-I mentioned that this rink/game/team was never going to fit Dylan Duke’s strong suit. He’s never going to be as effective in an Olympic rink. For the most part, that was true. BUT…in the third period, in a tie game, Dylan Duke made a play. TJ Hughes made a great entry pass from the blue line right to Duke’s stick. Dylan went forehand, backhand around Justen Close’s out-stretched skate and finished inside the post for the game-winner. Right where you’d expect Duke to finish.

-The fourth line was impressive on Saturday night. Mark Estapa was great on the forecheck, winning pucks below the goalline. He also had a number of decent scoring chances, too, including ringing the iron on the penalty kill. Nolan Moyle, too, had a few decent chances and checked well on both ends. Nick Granowicz also made a really nice play backchecking in his own crease to breakup a very good look.

Seamus Casey had the game-tying goal (Patrick Barron)

Defense Notes.

-In zone, Michigan’s defense was pretty good. They didn’t get overwhelmed and trapped very often. There weren’t TOO many bad DZTOs. They generally were comfortable on the puck getting it up and out. Luke Hughes and Keaton Pehrson had a bit of a rough start. Luke also did have a couple turnovers he’d probably want back, but overall it was a pretty positive night.

-The defensive issues came in transition. Luke Hughes made a bad shot decision that lead to a 2v1. Keaton Pehson played it very poorly, allowing a simple pass across for a goal. Seamus Casey was also caught napping once that lead to a rush. Casey and Edwards were both caught in the offensive zone when Minnesota scored on their 2v0. Steve Holtz was completely undressed by Rhett Pitlick on a 1v1 for the third goal. Holtz is by all accounts a great dude with a phenomenal recovery story, but he’s probably not skating in an ideal defensive lineup for Michigan. A lot of the positives Michigan gained with the play in their own end, they gave away in transition.

-Despite getting burned on a couple of very bad OMRs, Seamus Casey did snipe a corner from distance to tie the game in the third period. It was his 7th goal of the season and his 24th point in his 33rd game. Not bad.

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

What just happened (TL;DR): This was a very similar game to last night except: Michigan was much smoother and calmer in their own zone, not giving Lindenwood as many offensive zone Grade A chances; Michigan did not get the puck luck they did on Friday, despite still overwhelming an inferior opponent; Roni Salmenkangas was very, very good in goal for the Lindenwood Lions.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Michigan rolled all four lines all night, and they all looked very good. Adam Fantilli scored his first and second and then only his first goal after it was changed to Dylan Duke. Fantilli is going to be tons of fun this year. Jackson Hallum stood out to me as being very calm and aware on the puck, making smart decisions.

-Once game, this was a demolition. I’m not sure I’ve seen Michigan put these numbers up since I’ve been covering them (starting in ‘15-16). 77% possession is video game stuff. Lindenwood is only playing their fourth game as a program, but…still. Obviously, the puck luck and finishing weren’t there as much, but holy buckets. Getting this many chances…and dangerous chances…bodes very well going forward.

Defense Notes.

-Almost every defenseman made one discernible mistake…but not much more than that. They were much better in their own zone, not giving the puck away very often. The defensemen were also under control and stayed more positionally sound than on Friday night. This was the game that was hoped for and then played by the blueliners.

-Seamus Casey got his the first goal of his career, going bar down to lengthen the Wolverine lead to 3-1. Aside from misplaying the one puck at the blue line that lead to Lindenwood goal, Steve Holtz was much better all over the ice. Luke Hughes was his normal high-flying self…with only a couple bad mistakes. Jay Keranen got a lot of run, again. He looks like he’ll be the seventh defenseman.