jackson hallum

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

Setting The Stage: The #8 Wolverines (5-4-1) host the #6 Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3-1) in a two game set this weekend in their first meeting since Michigan defeated the Gophers 4-3 to win the Big 10 Tournament Championship last March. Both teams have gotten off to slow starts in Big 10 Conference play this season, so this two game series is sure to bring some late season intensity to it. Michigan’s depth will be tested this weekend with the announcement earlier in the week that Jackson Hallum was done with a season ending knee injury and Steven Holtz is on the shelf for at least Friday’s game with what appears to be a knee injury. The Wolverines have dressed freshman Josh Orrico as the 6th defenseman and have listed Grad forward Chase Pletzke as the 7th defenseman for this game.

The Battle: With the reigning Hobey Baker winner, Adam Fantilli, in the house to drop the ceremonial first puck the Wolverines lit the lamp just 1:37 into the first period with a goal by Frank Nazar III as he knocked in a rebound for his 5th of the season from a point shot by Marshall Warren. Minnesota responded just under 2 minutes later to tie the game and the teams finished the first period tied at 1. In the second period, Michigan’s potent powerplay went to work scoring on their first two chances to open up a 3-1 lead by the mid-way mark of the period. The game looked to be well in hand until a defensive lapse allowed Minnesota to score with 1.5 seconds left in the period to cut the lead to 3-2 after two periods. In the third period, despite outshooting Minnesota 12-7 the Golden Gophers managed to cash in on a couple of offensive chances to score twice and skate away with a 4-3 victory.

[AFTER THE JUMP: Breakdown]

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

What just happened (TL;DR): After a back and forth first period, Michigan took control of the game in the second, scoring twice to build a two goal lead. They give up a power play goal late in the period, then steady the ship for most of the third period. After taking a third penalty – and almost killing it off- a cross-ice one-timer ties the game…followed by a sleepy shift where Owen Lindmark can walk right in on Jake Barczewski and win the game. Barczewski was okay, not great; the penalty kill was bad. Once again, the Wolverines did almost enough…but blow their third third period lead of the young season.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-As the number above state, Michigan generally outplayed Wisconsin at full strength. They only allowed six shots in the first period (maybe too many dangerous chances, though). They generally limited everything the Badgers did in the second period. Then locked down the third until the late penalty…and the ensuing shift. They did a lot, but I guess just not quite enough.

-Frank Nazar was awesome. Not only did he finish a sweet rebound goal on a 2v1, but he won a puck battle behind the net to feed Garret Schifsky. He and Schifsky were tremendous all night getting out in transition. Nazar also had that huge chance on the breakaway that would have been massive. Playing as the 2C has been great for him, and he’s building chemistry with Schifsky.

-The man who is allowing Nazar to play 2C is the 1C…Gavin Brindley. He definitely looks like he’s taking The Leap. Brindley sniped two goals, on Friday night, picking a corner on the first and sneaking one inside the post (behind a tremendous Dylan Duke screen) on the second. While there were initial concerns of if this team could score…those have all but been eroded.

-Jackson Hallum looked to take a big hit in the second period…and did not return…at least to my eyes. Hopefully, he’s okay. He’s been great so far this season. With injuries at the back starting to mount, staying healthy at forward becomes an even bigger deal.

Defense Notes.

-Josh Orrico played in place of Luca Fantilli. He had a rough go in the first period, getting beat down the slot for Wisconsin’s first goal on a centering pass from the boards. He also had some bobbles on his next couple shifts. After that, I honestly don’t remember seeing him. If he played it was not very much. Michigan is in quite a position from where they were a few months ago with defensemen. Luca not playing is a huge deal. After a bit, Michigan decided just icing five guys at the back was the way to go.

-After a rough first period, Michigan’s defense improved. They didn’t give up tons of shots early on, but the chances were pretty dangerous. Steve Holtz vacated the net front to check a guy who had ghosted Kienan Draper. Owen Lindmark finished an easy chance in tight now that he was all alone. Holtz’s night would get better, but he’s had a couple of rough first periods.

-Tyler Duke had a slick drop pass to set up Gavin Brindley’s first goal; he also got beat up the boards on the game-winning goal. Marshall Warren also vacated the slot to go cover for Duke –and missed the pass break up on the way…Rutger McGroarty also did not backcheck Owen Lindmark, allowing him plenty of space to get the shot off…just a perfect storm all around.

-At times, it feels a little like last year when the defense was good…until it really, really wasn’t.

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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan slogged through 30 minutes against the Lions with just a 2-1 lead. They then poured in four goals in eight minutes. In the third, the Wolverines added three more to pile onto the blowout. Jackson Hallum lead the Maize and Blue with two goals. TJ Hughes, Dylan Duke, and Garrett Schifsky all had three points. Another 6 (!) Wolverines had two points a piece. It was Point Night at Yost.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-To very few people’s surprise, this was an absolute beatdown. Michigan’s controlled the puck, shot share, and most of the dangerous chances. 87-34 at even strength is quite something. That is what a team like Michigan should do against overmatched Lindenwood.

-Michigan’s second goal was very well-worked by the Wolverines newly formed top line. Rutger McGroarty when high to low for Gavin Brindley, who fired a cross-slot pass to a waiting Dylan Duke. Duke tapped in the finish from a place on the ice he constantly finds himself, just outside the crease. Playing Brindley and McGroarty together has gone really well this season. Duke’s game is rounding out nicely, and as long as Brindley can handle the center responsibilities, this line fits together quite well.

-Jackson Hallum opened some eyes on Michigan’s fifth goal of the evening. He burst into the zone, toe dragged a defenseman, then blistered a shot five hole through Trent Burnham. The speed has always been there, and now he’s started to show more and more skill. That was the most impressive play of the night for me. Hallum also added another goal on a shot from outside the dot on a rush down the wing. He did pick a corner, but Burnham played that pretty poorly. Those were Jackson’s first two goals of the season.

-TJ Hughes added a goal and an assist in the third period. Josh Eernisse did the same. Both of their assists were probably a more impressive than their goals. Each was a sweet little backhand right to the tape of the shooter. Michigan looks like they have a lot of dudes.

Luca Fantilli with a couple of points (Bill Rapai)

Defense Notes.

-Michigan’s defense struggled with Lindenwood’s size and physicality a little bit in the first half of the game. There were stretches in the first and early second periods where they got stuck in their zone, unable to break the puck out. Peter kept talking about it being good Michigan was challenged a little physically. Once the goals started flowing the pressure was reduced, but this will be something to keep an eye on tomorrow night.

-Some of those struggles came from Jacob Truscott and Marshall Warren. Perhaps we’ll discuss on the HockeyCast if they can/should continue to play together or if Michigan keeps to get a puck-mover on each pair, like they did last season. Despite having some rough times, Warren did score his first goal as a Wolverine, lengthening Michigan’s lead to 3-1. Congrats to him.

-Luca Fantilli, who’s probably played more than most people thought he would a couple of months ago, scored his first goal of the year. He put a dman in the spin cycle (a la Sam Girard), broke down the wing to the net, and flipped the puck off of a different defender and into the net. Not the best goal, but it’s nice to see Luca get on the board. He also fired a shot from straightaway that Josh Eernisse deflected past backup goalie Matthew Syverson. Fun night for Luca.

-Seamus Casey just keeps piling up points, adding another goal and assist on Friday night. He has eleven in seven games.