shorty

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.

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

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-That was bonkers. Michigan coaxed Quinnipiac into a frenetic pace in the first period, turning Allentown, Pennsylvania into a Wild West Shootout. There were 28 evenly divided shots in the opening frame, alone. The difference was that Michigan was able to finish a couple of their early chances...albeit not their best ones. The worry coming into the game was that we'd be in for a 30 shot total slugfest that one team would win on a coin-flip bounce. While that did come into play during the second and early third period, it was mostly too late for Turtle/Siege Hockey at that point. Michigan won the game at 5v5 and on Special Teams before they almost gave it away...and had to win it again. 

-The Fourth Line. We talked all year about Michigan's speed and skill, draft picks and NHL talent. On Sunday night, near the famous Bethlehem Steel mill, it was Michigan's Blue Collar dudes getting it done. Nolan Moyle crashed the net 33 seconds into the game and put Michigan out front. Jimmy Lambert beat his man to the crease to finish Luke Hughes gorgeous move and pass. Garrett Van Whye outskated and outworked a Bobcat defenseman and then Yaniv Perets to tally a shorty right before the end of the second period. On a team with eight drafted forwards, the Blue Collar line ground out four of the team's seven goals. If the Wolverines are going to get depth scoring like this, they'll be tough to beat in Boston.

-One thing to be discussed more on the HockeyCast is the early goalie-pull by Quinnipiac with almost four minutes left. Alex thought it was a bit early. I was fine with it. The Bobcats were holding a decided advantage in ice position. They had scored three in just seven minutes. Analytics are on the side of pulling early...shoot your shot. It didn't work out, but I don't blame Rand Pecknold and his staff. They were trying to capitalize on a reeling defense and team psyche. In the end it took a nice play from Thomas Bordeleau to intercept a pass. Very nice for fifth year senior Mike Pastujov to get the empty-netter than sent his Wolverines back to the Frozen Four.

[CELEBRATIONS after THE JUMP]