OFFENSE

Analysis: After another slow start, Michigan’s special teams invigorated their offense. After a couple power play tallies, the Wolverines tilted the ice on the Broncos and started peppering Gorsuch with attempts. Mike Pastujov was reunited with his brother and Jack Becker and that line had a nice second period. I also really liked Slaker back on the top line with Norris and Lockwood. Both lines looked dangerous and drove a lot of offense all night. After the top two lines, Michigan is still trying to figure some things out. Guys like Randl, Van Wyhe, and Raabe showed some flashes but nothing overly consistent. If Slaker is going to stay on the top line, someone is going to have to step up to drive that third line. Mike Pastujov had a gift walk-in goal and Dakota Raabe finished a dish from Brendan Warren to complete the even-strength scoring. Good, not great, offense–which got dialed back after a two goal lead was restored in the third- was just enough for the Wolverines to squeak out of Yost against an offensively solid Western squad.

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Griffin got…Luce [James Coller]

DEFENSE

Analysis: While the numbers by volume weren’t horrendous, the goals rested upon the defense tonight. An unchecked attacker scored the opening rebound; multiple guys allowed different Broncos to get into the slot for the third goal (10 seconds into a period); Boka backed up too far, screening Lavigne on the fourth, and several defenders were beaten by a defenseman who skated a circle around the offensive end and fired a shot above Lavigne. There were also enough failed clears and DZTOs. The odd thing was that after the first half of the first period (again!), the defense mostly cleaned things up until midway through the third. What was thought to be the strength of the team has turned in a very uneven performance through the start of the season. It definitely needs to improve before the Big Ten season starts in a few weeks.

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You get a PPG! YOU get a PPG! EVERYONE GETS A PPG! [James Coller]

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan’s power play came to life tonight. They netted three goals from the man advantage. Slaker, Nick Pastujov, and Lockwood all found the net. Two of those came off of great cross-ice passes and Slaker created Pastujov’s tally after a nice rip was deflected off of Becker. Their best power play might have been their fifth when they didn’t score but created 3-4 very threatening chances. All off-season we discussed how special teams were a place that Michigan could grow and take advantage of the chance to improve, and the power play is off to a fine start.

While Michigan took six penalties tonight, they did not surrender many attempts on net. The only goal was deflected in off of Luke Martin. The Wolverines only surrendered eight attempts on net and less than half a shot a minute. Both are great totals. They also mostly forced the Broncos to the edges and did not put Lavigne in many dangerous places. This was a very troublesome area for Michigan last season and improvements were needed. Tonight was a step in the correct direction.

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Hayden Lavigne started in net again. He had an interesting game. Five goals went behind him, but I’m not sold that any were on him. The defense was at fault for the goals tonight. He made a couple really nice saves early on. After that, he never made any game-changers, but the goals that went in would have been very good saves. The fifth goal might have been on him to some extent, but Lee skated by 2-3 Wolverine defenders. It’s really tough for me to blame a goalie in that situation. Acceptable, not great, from Lavigne. I feel like I have written that before.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Woof. This was a throwback to a couple of years ago. SIX (said Brian from the podcast) is way too many OMRs to give up for a team that has this many returning, drafted defensemen. The Broncos got in twice in the last 20 seconds of the first period, but Lavigne shut them down both times. Boka broke up a 3v1, and Slaker made a huge defensive play on a 3v1. Western also gaffed away a couple more. So, the Wolverines got away with their sloppiness tonight, but this trend can not continue.

Offensively, Michigan generated three OMRs. All three were 2v1s that the puck carrier shot instead of using the pass. A couple of them looked like there was an opening to get it across, but shots were taken instead. Nine OMRs in total…no goals. You won’t see that again.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Western Michigan 48, Michigan 41

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Western Michigan 47, Michigan 40