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

What just happened (TL;DR): In a pretty even game, Michigan blew leads of 1-0, 3-2, 4-3, and 5-4. They had chances to run and hide with the game, but just could not get it out of reach. Once again, they score five goals, and once again it is not enough. They do get 4 points on the weekend, but again, they cannot finish it out, grabbing all 6.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-This was a pretty even game across most of the metrics that I have. I did think that Michigan created a ton of really good looks that Kyle McClellen saved in the last couple of periods. He did give up a couple of 5 Hole goals, but he took a ton of Grade A shots away from the Wolverines. Multiple lines were getting very good chances and he made enough saves. It’s hard to fault Michigan’s even strength chances and creations aside from the fact that they just did not beat McClellan…other than those two times, ha!

-Josh Eernisse scores one of the 5 Hole goals after Kienan Draper and Philippe Lapointe created and chance on a rush. It wasn’t the most impressive goal, but it also wasn’t the only scoring chance that line created. Kienan Draper has started to become a playable piece. It didn’t look like he should be on the ice last year. This year, that isn’t true anymore. He’ll probably never be a Top 6 guy at Michigan, but he’s got a nice future if he keep developing.

-The Hero Line strikes again. Gavin Brindley grabs three assists. Frank Nazar gave the Wolverines their last lead in the third period, scoring the other even strength 5 Hole goal after a slick Rutger McGroarty pass. Brindley gambled and lost and gave up the Grade A chance in OT. Nazar also didn’t get back on the 2v1. Overall, though, this line has done it’s share of pulling the sled.

Defense Notes.

-That was not exactly the same performance as last night…at all. The first period was super sloppy in their own end and in transition. Michigan also just could not close out the game on defense. As stated above, the Wolverines had four leads (sure, one goal), and blew all of them. After looking like a team ready for a tournament run (again) on Friday night, they did not look like it on Saturday. The offense did their job, again, but the defense could not keep the puck out of their House…or their net.

-Ethan Edwards give up a pizza in his own slot for Quinn Finley’s opening goal. Edwards also missed an open net in the first period to extend the lead. Frank Nazar didn’t start his transition early enough and couldn’t catch Mathiew de St Phalle on the Badgers’ third goal. Nobody pressed the perimeter on the fifth goal in the third period. That’s just not good enough if you want a sweep.

-Seamus Casey and Tyler Duke did get diagonaled on the second goal, but Seamus Casey did make up for it with a couple of assists. He set up both power play goals. Tyler Duke also grabbed and assist on the third goal.

Special Teams were not the problem on Saturday night (Bill Rapai)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Holy goals. Michigan started 3/3 on the power play in the first period. The first and third goals were basically identical. Seamus Casey makes a guy miss up high, sends a pass to the dot where Gavin Brindley blasts a one-timer. Dylan Duke is sitting at the top of the crease and slams home an easy rebound. Pretty simple. Joe Palodichuk had a horrendous giveaway to Nick Moldenhauer at the blue line. Moldy walked down into the slot and used Palo as a screen to beat Kyle McClellan for the second goal. The power play is just blistering right now.

Penalty Kill. Once again, the penalty kill was pretty good all evening. They looked really good on the first couple of Badger power plays, shutting them down and even creating a late 2v1 where Frank Nazar just didn’t pull the trigger. The one Wisconsin goal was tipped twice by different Badgers on its way past Barczewski. Eh, hockey, I guess. Overall, though, if this is what it takes to beat their penalty kill, that is a very, very good sign.

Protect him and he’ll protect you. Don’t and… (Bill Rapai)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Jake Barczewski started in net on Saturday night. Again, he didn’t get the best of defensive performances and he didn’t have the best performance himself. This is basically what Alex and I have been saying all year. None of these goals are really on him, but he also didn’t stop any of them, either. Sometimes, you have to make one more save than your opposing goalie. Tonight, he didn’t. He did make nice saves, and didn’t look poor or sloppy, but he couldn’t bail out his leaky defense, either. It’s mostly been like this all season.

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. Michigan only gives up one OMR. Unfortunately, Mathieu de St Phalle beats Frank Nazar down the ice to finish off the 2v1 into the open net.

The Wolverines generated three OMRs of their own, getting good looks on a couple of different 2v1s. Just like he had been all night, Kyle McClellan was there when he needed to be for the Badgers.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Michigan scored enough to win, tonight. However, they didn’t defend well enough or get the level of goaltending they needed in order to win with five goals. They also have turned it up on the penalty kill. The issues are still inconsistent play in their own zone and holding onto leads. While they managed to grab one more point than they did last weekend, another Sunday comes where many chances and situations will be rued. I was hoping we wouldn’t reach the point of this is just who they are…but it’s the end of January. The time is approaching really, really fast…if not already here. We’ll see next week in Columbus against and less than stellar Buckeye team. Friday at 7pm on BTN-.