josh orrico

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.

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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): Once again, Michigan just overwhelmed, outskated, and blasted Lindenwood. Like Friday night, Lindenwood was technically still in the game until the mid second period and the dam broke. Michigan’s power play went SIX FOR NINE! They also tallied twice shorthanded. So, they scored as many shorthanded goals on Saturday as Lindenwood scored in the series. Alrighty then.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-This was almost a carbon copy of Friday night’s game. Michigan controlled the puck, the shots, the chances, and then, yes, the goals. Even when the game was not out of reach in the first period+, the Lions had like five shots. It never really felt in doubt…and it wasn’t.

-Michigan scored only two even strength goals on Saturday night. Don’t worry, they were basically on the power play for half the game and took complete advantage…as did they on the penalty kill, so fret not, dear reader. Rutger McGroarty poked home a goal from just outside the crease to make it 3-1, easing some growing tensions in the mid-second period. That was followed by a TJ Hughes blast from inside the dot, quickly escalating the game to 4-1, Wolverines.

-TJ Hughes had a FIVE point night! He tallied a couple of goals and three more assists. That gives him 15 points in 8 games. hashtag eyeball emoji.

-Gavin Brindley added two goals and two assists. Dylan Duke, Nick Moldenhauer, Rutger McGroarty, and Jackson Hallum all added two points a piece as well.

Defense Notes.

-Josh Orrico played for Tyler Duke on Saturday night. Hopefully, that is just precautionary, and Michigan didn’t want to risk Duke against a team they massacred the previous night. FWIW, when the game was remotely close, Josh Orrico looked fine and not overmatched against Lindenwood.

-With Orrico in, they did mix up the pairings a little bit to start. Luca Fantilli and Seamus Casey played together. That seems a little on the small end, so I doubt we’ll see that in Big Ten play. Jacob Truscott played with Orrico, but he was later given a game misconduct for kneeing.

-Marshall Warren tallied a couple more points on Saturday night.

-Oh look, just another three point night for Seamus Casey. He had a well-worked power play goal and a couple more secondary assists. That’s 14 points in 8 games.

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

What just happened (TL;DR): After a tight first few minutes, Michigan completely outclassed UMass scoring three times on the power play and another four at even strength. It took a penalty kill breakdown and a skating error for the Minutemen to beat Jake Barczewski. Dylan Duke and Garrett Schifsky each scored twice. TJ Hughes, Seamus Casey, and Rutger McGroarty each added a tally. This game was over midway through the second period.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Michigan overmatched UMass after the first 10-15 minutes of the game. Michigan was great in space and created good looks repeatedly. After being down 5-1 in shots, the Wolverines outshot the Minutemen 19-5 for the rest of the first two periods.

-Brandon Naurato elected to go with a Hero Line of Rutger, Frank Nazar, and Gavin Brindley. Michigan has done that in the past with Matty Beniers, Kent Johnson, etc. They were Michigan’s most dangerous line all night and it paid off with gorgeous OMR goal to close the game. I liked what I saw from this line and hope to see it stay together.

-Garrett Schifsky got on the board twice, after being named the third line center. He rifled home a shot (maybe a soft goal) that beat Cole Brady from the top of the House. He also finished in the crease after Jackson Hallum won a battle in the corner and got the puck to the slot. If Michigan is getting depth scoring from their third line, this team should look a lot like the past couple of teams…

-Chase Pletzke got ROCKED in the head, struggled to stand up or skate to the bench , but no penalty was called. He never returned to the game. I would expect to see Tanner Rowe dressed on Saturday night.

Defense Notes.

-Tyler Duke didn’t dress on Friday night after leaving the game in the third period last Sunday. Michigan skated Josh Orrico…sparingly while the game was tight. He did get to play more as the game got out of hand, including taking a penalty. While he doesn’t exactly look ready yet, it looks like he’ll get a chance to play until Tyler returns. It’s getting a little iffy on defense now, after Michigan’s top three.

-Luca Fantilli did have a nice initial assist on Dylan Duke’s first goal, making a terrific diagonal pass on the offensive zone. That does fall in his wheelhouse. He also quarterbacked the second powerplay unit.

-Seamus Casey is awesome and really fun to watch. He looks to be in for a huge season.