OFFENSE

Analysis: It is the same story, game after game. Michigan generates a ton of chances. Michigan generates a few great chances. Michigan finishes very few chances. The system they are playing is ideal to their personnel and is working quite well. The problem is that they cannot put pucks away. The elite goal-scoring talent is just not there. Tonight, they must have had 5-10 great chances to win the game in the third period, but no one could get the puck on frame. They dominated in the third and could have easily walked away with points, but their finishing let them down. Losing that top scoring line from last year is really hitting hard. The system is designed to overwhelm the opposition with chances, hoping that enough will find the back of the net. That is a good plan for this roster, though. Unfortunately, that has not happened enough. Hopefully, their puck luck will improve soon because ties aren’t going to get Michigan to the post-season.

DEFENSE

Analysis: The defense was pretty good tonight, until it was not. For stretches of the game, Michigan kept their House clean, took pucks off of sticks, and stayed defensively disciplined. Then, things would go awry and forwards would break in alone, pucks would get turned over, and Mann would be forced to bail them out. Thankfully, he did mostly. The thing with this defense is consistency. Its not about their talent or understanding, it is about it being implemented at the highest level on each shift. Michigan does not have the goal-scoring talent to give away gaffe goals and still win games. Blankenburg (who has been having a great year) had a rough night, including missing his breakout pass right to a Gopher stick behind the net, leading to Minnesota’s first goal. It seems unfair to demand mistake-free games from the defense, but yet, here we are…

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan drew two penalties all night. They had one decent look on a Hughes diagonal to Norris, but his shot went wide. After that, there was nothing. Their second power play lasted maybe five seconds before committing a penalty to neutralize it. That’s all there is to say about that.

The Wolverines killed all three (2.5) of the Minnesota power plays. The Gophers didn’t get many looks on their man advantage. This wasn’t really a game for special teams, though.

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It’s his net. The End. [Campredon[

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started in net and looked great. He made about 4-5 great saves, including one from his stomach to extend the game. His reactions were good, he didn’t leave rebounds in dangerous places, and he looks very, very comfortable moving the puck with his stick. He won the job before the Penn State series, but too many pucks went into the net in Hockey Valley (though very few were his fault…if any). This should be his job, though. He made the best saves of this game. Neither goal could be blamed on him. He should be in net tomorrow.

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Good postion, but just wide [Campredon]

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan gave up four OMRs tonight. That is probably too many. Two breakaways is woof. Also, it looked like Hughes got caught out. The initial shot didn’t go in, but before the defense could get back and settled the puck was sent into the crease and poked in for a the Gophers only lead. OMRs have not been a big problem for Michigan this season, but tonight old habits were costly.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 74(29), Minnesota 54(20)

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 68, Minnesota 48