odd man rush sounds exclusionary but it's good when you score on one

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

What just happened (TL;DR): Penn State outplayed, outshot, and outscored Michigan in an all but Must Have game for the Wolverines. They scored on the power play, through an even strength screen, and after a Jake Barczewski bobble to outpace the inept Michigan offense. Michigan generated some shots, but could not breakdown the PSU defense or solve suddenly viable Liam Souliere. The collar is getting a little tight, now…

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Forward Notes.

-Michigan clearly got some shot attempts on net. They didn’t, however, get enough of them to the net or into the net. After the first period of Friday’s game, Michigan tallied on a short-handed breakaway, an empty net goal, a even strength breakaway, and a sweet shot after a slick pass on a 3v3 rush. That’s it. Four goals in five periods…one of them being an empty-netter. All of this was against a team that entered the weekend with a .865 save percentage. Now, after the first minute of Friday’s game, Liam Souliere played very well. Basically…like he did in Allentown, last March. But that output is just not good enough to make the NCAA Tournament.

-Both of Michigan’s goals came in transition. Dylan Duke and TJ Hughes created the opening goal on a breakaway (Spoiler Alert). Gavin Brindley hit Frank Nazar with a lovely flip lead pass pushing Nazar to snipe Souliere to tie the game at 2 early in the third period.

-The Hero Line was okay, I guess. They did create Michigan’s best chances, but it did not seem like there were a lot of them on even strength (what’s a guy got to do to get some xG around here?). I noticed Garrett Schifsky skating with Brindley and McGroarty a little. TJ Hughes did the same. It will be interesting if the top line stays together next weekend against Notre Dame.

-Penn State was a different team on Saturday night. They played very, very good defense in their own zone. They did not get beat in transition (after the one happened about five minutes into the game). They also protected Liam Souliere really, really well…and then he made the saves for them. Hmmmmm…interesting.

Defense Notes.

-The defense overall wasn’t really at fault tonight. I suppose if you want to play Steve Holtz and/or Philippe Lapointe for screening Barczewski on the second goal…okay, fine. But…they were trying to block the shot. So, whatever. For the most part, the defense as a whole was fine. They didn’t turn it over in their zone repeatedly. They didn’t hang Barczewski out to dry all night. They even kept the OMR Count pretty low. It was good enough to win, tonight. Except for…

-Jacob Truscott didn’t have the best night, individually. He had a bit of a lazy clear that didn’t get out of the zone, leading to the second goal upon reversal. He also was beaten to the net on the third goal (the Jake rebound fumble), allowing Dane Dowiak to knock in the rebound.

-Seamus Casey also wasn’t himself all weekend. A couple of times, he maestro’d around the offensive zone, but it was not at the rate we’ve been accustomed to seeing him do so. It happens. It’s hard to be Steve Nash every night. He also was beaten twice badly…one for a goal.

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.

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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): 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.