penalty kill more like penalty killing me wocka wocka

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 Minnesota play a even, sloppy first period to a 2-2 tied. Then, the Gophers tallied three straight times on the power play to take a commanding lead in the second. The third period was nugatory (thanks, Craig). Jake Barczewski was pulled. Michigan’s offense created bupkis all evening. Minnesota came ready to play Michigan and straight up zamboni’d the Wolverines.

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Forward Notes.

-After a first period that was mostly even across the board (sans maybe goaltending), Minnesota pretty much shut down Michigan and then outworked, outskated, and outplayed the Wolverines. They shut down their own House (and really defensive zone) for the remaining two periods. While the penalties helped in the second, I’m not sure there was really an argument about any of them. The Gophers were clearly the better team, and they finished their chances, taking advantage of a poor goaltending performance in Michigan’s net.

-Garrett Schifsky scored on a rocket of a shot, as he flew down the slot after a Gopher DZTO. That was a legit snipe, beating Justen Close on the glove side. He also created a couple more chances in the third period, including a breakaway. Schifsky has continued to look like a player as the season has progressed. It probably didn’t hurt that it was his first game back in his home state since coming to Michigan.

-I don’t really have anything to say about any other forward on the ice. I honestly didn’t really notice anyone else being particularly dangerous…especially when the game was in doubt. That’s a real bummer to say coming off of Michigan’s only conference sweep at Yost with third place in the Big Ten still on the line…let alone an NCAA Tournament birth. The team better come ready to play on Saturday or else it will be quite an embarrassing weekend.

Defense Notes.

-Ethan Edwards didn’t play, and the Wolverines really missed his skating and puck movement. They struggled in their own zone way too often. No one looked very fleet of skate at all. One of the speedier teams in all of college hockey looked very slow and plodding for most of the night. Minnesota eventually took advantage, and Michigan never really responded.

-Last week (and even going back a few games prior), Michigan’s defense had improved noticeably. Friday night…it was a reversion to a previous iteration. Obviously not having Edwards made an impact, but Steve Holtz again looked out of place. Luca Fantilli was up and down. I honestly didn’t notice Tyler Duke at all. Not great.

-Where is Seamus Casey? All season, he’s been Michigan’s most consistent skater and scorer. He now has one point (a secondary assist) in his last eight games. Tonight, he took two obvious penalties, leading to Minnesota goals. He’s not really looked like himself in the offensive end: skating, probing, making dudes look slow. Michigan needs their puck maestro to return…and fast!

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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan Hockey rocked the Stonehill Stones. They scored early and often and gave up plural power play goals. Not the best third period, but the first two were pretty good. In other words, it went just as expected.

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Forward Notes.

-The most important note of the evening is that Rutger McGroarty and Mark Estapa dressed and did not appear to get hurt on Friday. That is the biggest news of the night for Michigan.

-Tanner Rowe scores his first collegiate goal for Michigan on a nice play off of a faceoff win by Kienan Draper. These games can be big for the Bottom Six to get organized and get confident. Chase Pletzke also scored for break his long goal-less streak. So did Kienan Draper. Unfortunately, the Assist Watch for Pletzke is still going.

-Gavin Brindley scored four goals. LOL.

-These games are tough for everyone. It’s hard to stay up and in a game when it’s 10-1 after the second period. However, learning how to do that might be the difference in bigger games down the stretch. They should have another chance tomorrow night.

Defense Notes.

-Ethan Edwards dressed for Michigan for the first time in a non-exhibition game this season. It was rumored to happening, but it was nice to see him back and on the ice.

-After a strong couple periods to start, the third period got a bit shaky…especially for a team that has had it’s issues in the third period closing games out. They allowed eleven shots, four from the House, in the first two periods. In the third: eight shots, seven from the slot. The game was completely out of hand and not in doubt, but at some point, this Finishing Games thing has got to be addressed.

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

What just happened (TL;DR): LOL how much time to you have? In the end, Michigan mostly outplayed and then outlasted Penn State, holding a 4-1 lead and then hanging on at the end 6-4. Hey, they killed off a game and didn’t give up the lead in the third! Progress! Michigan needed three points from this game, and they got them.

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