kienan draper

3/16/2024 - Michigan 2, Minnesota 1 - 21-13-3 (10-10-2-2 B1G) 

Entering this weekend, Michigan Hockey had held a third period lead against an opponent and not won the game in regulation eight different times, out of 36 total games. That doesn't include games that were tied in the third, only to see the opponent edge past the Wolverines late, or the matchup against Michigan State in January that Michigan led 4-1 in the second period, because they blew the entire lead in the second period (four straight goals against in the span of ~seven minutes). To say the Maize & Blue have had trouble finishing games off in the third period is an understatement. It's been the defining theme of this season. 

Poor defense has also been a theme too often. Michigan is only middle of the pack in goals against nationally but considering that they are a team ranked in the tournament picture, it isn't good. Michigan is tied for the most goals against per game among the 16 teams currently in the tournament picture. They have a tremendous offense, top five in goals per game scored with a historically great power play, but the other half of the game they have struggled with often this season. Michigan typically blows leads in the third period because they are not a good team at keeping pucks out of the net, period. 

Against Minnesota in particular, it's been a major problem. Coming into Saturday night, three of those eight third period blown leads came at the hands of Minnesota. Those three games constituted three of the four games that Michigan played against Minnesota this season. They led the first game 3-1 in the second before conceding a goal with one second left in the 2nd period and then two in the third. They led the second game 2-1 entering the third period and ended up having to win in a shootout. And then two weeks back, a backup-goalie meltdown saw Michigan need overtime to win a game that they led 3-0, 4-1, and 5-4, all in the third period. It's been a bit of a broken record of the same problems and especially in this matchup, the same opponent. 

[AFTER THE JUMP: What changed]

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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan lead from start to finish, scoring in every frame. Dylan Duke tallied at even strength and on the penalty kill. Garrett Schifsky and Gavin Brindley both found the net on the power play. Notre Dame got an off game from elite goaltender Ryan Bischel, and the Wolverines took advantage. Jacob Barczewski tallied his second shutout of the season recording 22 saves. Very positive performance from in all areas of the ice.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-After the first 12 or so minutes, Michigan turned it on and never really stopped. They got to all areas of the offensive zone and challenged Ryan Bischel and Irish defense all night. While the only goal was a Dylan Duke unscreened shot off a faceoff –that Bischel just whiffed- the Wolverines generated plenty of good looks that did not go into the net. Regardless, they did win the even strength battle on Friday night.

-Brandon Naurato finally broke up the Hero Line, moving Gavin Brindley down with TJ Hughes and Dylan Duke. Garrett Schifsky slid up with Frank Nazar and Rutger McGroarty. Pairing Schifsky and Nazar together again will probably work out down the stretch. Giving Duke a creator like Brindley should be fun, as well. Neither line looked unstoppable, but both grew as the game developed.

-Kienan Draper played after missing the Penn State series. I had previously heard that he could be out for a while, but that was clearly not the case. I think Michigan is better with him in the lineup. He hasn’t scored a ton, but he’s developed as a player and has been a part of Michigan’s increased success on the penalty kill.

Defense Notes.

-Once again, when Michigan’s defense plays well, they tend to keep pucks out of their net. After a bit of a slop-fest (from both teams, all over the ice) in the first period, Michigan’s defense locked down the game in the second and third periods. (Spoiler: the OMRs were all on Wolverine power plays). Notre Dame is far from an offensive juggernaut, but mostly keeping the House clean –at the net as well- is something to be proud of this season.

-Again, there was not a guy that stood out either super positively or negatively on the defense corp. And I think that’s a good thing, right now. Just getting consistency up and down the lineup, not having to hide pairings of clench up when certain guys are on the ice is a solid takeaway. Let’s see if they can do it on back to back nights, now.

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.