Bad Defense

IMG_6495

Oh, what a night…for Tony Calderone and his FOUR tallies [JD Scott]

OFFENSE

 

Corsi

House

Possession %

First Period

6 2 19%

Second Period

10 8 43%

Third Period

12 6 29%

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

28 16 29%

Analysis: This is by far the worst even-strength performance of the year. A lot can probably be attributed to the defense, but Michigan just could not keep the puck at all. They did generate some good looks when they could get it; Hayton did not come close to stealing this game. A bit of a spoiler, but if not for Michigan’s power play, they get absolutely run out of their own rink. Hughes did create some nice looks and Calderone was able to finish a garbage goal (his fourth!) midway through the third period, and Michigan hung on after that.

[Insanity ensues after THE JUMP]

There was just enough of this tonight [James Coller]

OFFENSE

 

Corsi

House

Possession %

First Period

21 12 54%

Second Period

19 10 70%

Third Period

14 6 56%

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

54 28 59%

Analysis: This was a similar output to the Notre Dame series, where Michigan jumped on ASU early and controlled most of the game until they got sloppy in the third period and took too many penalties. Just like their game last season, Michigan kept the puck and shot from everywhere on the ice.

They got deep in the House area early and finished three times in the first fifteen minutes. Sanchez scored off of a great pass from Marody that slid across the top of the crease. He also poked in a rebound a few minutes later to give Michigan the 2-1 lead. Michael Pastujov scored his fourth of the season on a rebound late in the first. Michigan tacked on a fourth in the second period after Warren circled the net and found Cecconi for a snipe from inside the dot. Michigan needed every bit of this…as we will get to the next couple of sections.

[After THE JUMP: unspecial teams]

Yeah, I’ll take one of those! (Bryan Fuller)

OFFENSE

 

 

Corsi

House

Possession %

First Period

23 10 64%

Second Period

14 4 54%

Third Period

18 10 51%

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

55 24 57%

 

· Analysis: So, this was similar to and actually better than last night, but the pucks didn’t go into the net. It’s also more complicated than that. Michigan’s problem is that they have basically 1.5 scoring lines. Last night, Calderone netted a hat trick. Tonight, the DMC line didn’t score and neither did Michigan. Remember the CCM line? They had an additional 1.5 competent lines behind them. That is not the case this year. Michigan’s offense will seemingly go as their top line does. Also, MSU’s defense did a nice job of generally keeping Michigan from really great scoring chances all around.

[After THE JUMP: stats and discussion of defense, special teams, goaltending, and odd-man rushes. Also, a picture of a self-inflicted wedgie]