sieve not goalie

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.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

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.

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan turned in another stinker performance in a national semifinal. While they did generate some chances in the last couple of periods, they just gave away chances in transition like no other. Unfortunately, Erik Portillo’s (probable) last game in the Michigan crease was probably his worst. He got banked twice and flat out missed a harmless shot from the boards. Quinnipiac played much steadier and and stronger in their zone, waiting for Wolverine mistakes. This year, they came in torrents and the Bobcats pounced and feasted.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Quinnipiac got the game style and scoring sequence that they wanted in the first two periods. They all but erased Michigan’s offense from their forward lines. The bottom three lines for Michigan mostly went unnoticed as they collectively managed just five shots on net all evening. Depth scoring has been something that the Wolverines got for enough of the year, but they struggled just to get a puck on Yaniv Perets all night. Eric Ciccolini did ring the iron in the third period, probably Michigan’s best chance in the final stanza.

-After having a rough first period, the top line did kick it into gear and generated plenty of chances in the second (not quite as many in the third). Adam Fantilli scored a typical blast from the dot in the second period to tie it after Luke Hughes teed him up nicely. Rutger McGroarty and Gavin Brindley both had great chances to get on the board all night. This was not a vintage Michigan offensive night –thanks mostly to suffocating Bobcat defense, but the top line did a lot. Hopefully, it’s not the last time we see them together.

-There’s really not a whole lot that’s been left unsaid. Look, Adam Fantilli is the best player I’ve seen at Michigan. Kyle Connor was great, but Adam is at a different level. He also has that MacKinnon fire and competitiveness. He scored and somehow his the underside of the bar without scoring. He creates, he muscles, he dishes…he backchecks. He stayed in the middle of the ice looking around and waving to the fans after the game. That doesn’t mean it’s a done deal that he’s leaving…but it easily could be, too. I wouldn’t blame him. Either way, Adam, (if you’re reading this), it’s been amazing watching you all year. I’ll be hard pressed to not get your jersey when you’re tearing up the NHL.

Defense Notes.

-WOOF. The in-zone defense wasn’t the worst it’s been all season, but it was inconsistent, especially early. They did settle down a bit as the game progressed. The transition tracking was pretty horrendous, though. That will be discussed later.

-Unfortunately for Luke Hughes, his last game in Maize and Blue will be a haunting one. He’s been tremendous and other-worldly many times in his career. On Thursday night in Tampa, though…it was rough. Not only did he turn the puck over too many times, he also got toasted on the Jacob Quillan breakaway goal. Just afterwards, he left a QCat alone at the top of the crease for an easy deflection that ultimately went high. Now, ESPN reported that he was regurgitating consumables into a trash can behind the bench…so that could easily have had some impact, ha. Luke did make an awesome dish for Adam Fantilli for his game-tying blast from the dot. Luke has been quite the interesting case in his career. Many highs and lows. It’s unfortunate for it to end like this.

-On a much more positive note, Seamus Casey was the best non-Adam Fantilli player on the ice for Michigan. His Makar-esque goal in the first period, dancing through basically every yellow sweater before slipping the puck around Perets temporarily tied the game. He also shook another Bobcat and drew a penalty, getting into the slot. Casey also used his body well to keep the puck in the zone and not be out-muscled by a larger opposing forward. That is a really good sign. The shakes and dekes are expected…adding some body positioning to win a physical battle at the blue line is +++.  He could have been at fault for OMRs, but I didn’t see any specifically…but on a night when there were like a million, everyone probably was at one point

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

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Michigan did create many shots and chances tonight. Just glance at the numbers above. However, Ryan Bischel did not give a very good performance like he did on Friday night. He left one rebound behind for Michigan’s second goal (the Thomas Bordeleau tap-in). He also leaked a very savable shot (also from Bordeleau) for the tying goal. He wasn’t great in scrambles or rebound control, either. Michigan had many, many chances –and good ones, but they just didn’t bury enough of them. Thankfully for them, Bischel helped them out.

[Breaking Down after THE JUMP]