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

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Johnny Beecher has come roaring back into the lineup. He finished a one-timer from the BrissonDot just after Michigan gave up a goofy goal, late in the second. His goal changed the momentum that started creeping towards the home side. Beecher also set up Garrett Van Whye after getting the puck out of his zone after a long defensive shift. More on that goal later. Having him back at 3C gives Michigan a lot more depth and solidifies their third line.

-Dylan Duke had a very nice night for the Wolverines. He created the first goal by forcing a DZTO behind the net and dishing to and open Luke Morgan in the slot. Duke also stole another puck in the offensive zone and fed Lambert backdoor. Unfortunately, that pass was on the wrong hand. Duke had started making more noise recently and got on the scoresheet tonight.

-Michigan did not dress Nolan Moyle, tonight. Instead, they dressed Jay Keranen as the extra skater. Morgan joined Duke and Lambert as the 4th line. Keranen took a couple shift skating at forward, too. It makes sense to do this, as he can skate in both groups. With Michigan missing a few of the guys they currently are, I wouldn’t be surprised if this continues.

Defense Notes.

-While the overall defense was pretty solid, Owen Power took the play to the offensive end. He moved the puck really well on the power play, tallying three assists.

-Steve Holtz played next to Power on the top pairing for still injured Nick Blankenburg. Holtz held his own against Michigan State last week, and he continued his solid play in State College. The most interesting part of all of that is Michigan dressed seven defensemen (Jay Keranen) and Holtz still held down his spot next to Power.

-The Luke Hughes Special was showcased Thursday night, as well. After getting ghosted in his own zone, forcing Portillo into a tough save, Luke responded with a great move to get into the slot from the point. Oskar Autio flashed his leather to keep Hughes off the board on that chance. Later, Hughes went coast to coast and just missed a backhand into an open net. He did draw the call the led to Beniers’ second power play tally, though. Giving up a great chance in his own end, then almost getting two at the other…Luke Hughes Special. I still maintain his skating is the best on the team, overall.

A little big of power play magic from these two fellas (David Wilcomes)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. After a slow first power play, Michigan really kicked it into lethal mode. Not only did they create chances, but they finished really good looks. Owen Power set up Matty Beniers twice. He fueled a great reversal to find Beniers on BrissonDot. Later, he dished to Beniers again, and Matty was able to snipe from the opposite side, as well. Michigan’s power play has been lethal, this season, and it won them the game, tonight.

Penalty Kill. Michigan gave Penn State three man advantages. KJ had a poor DZTO that turned into a centering pass, but Erik Portillo bailed him out with a great save. He pulled them through that first kill. After that, Penn State didn’t get very much, if they were even able to set up in the offensive zone. Michigan had a great all around night on the penalty kill.

Just another Ho-Hum great performance from Erik Portillo (David Wilcomes)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Erik Portillo started in net on Thursday night. It arguably could have been his best game of the year. While Michigan’s defense was mostly stout, they did give up a number a high danger chances. Portillo was up to all of those. His size gives him such an advantage with positioning. His biggest save was the second on an odd man rush. He was very consistent, coming up big every time Penn State got a decent look. The only goal he surrendered was skate sprayed in after a rebound from a shot in tight near the post. The goal was review and correctly stood. It was a bit unfortunate. Erik has been a little leaky with rebounds from time to time, but he fell on almost all of them tonight. Just another awesome game from the Swede.

Johnny Beecher made a huge impact in transition, including setting up GVW (David Wilcomes)

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. Michigan gave up three 2v1s, Thursday night. Matty Beniers was picked in the neutral zone, and Erik Portillo made back to back saves to keep the game even. The second of those was a phenomenal kick save, down on the ice. Portillo also made nice saves on the next two rushes as well. Just like the penalty kill, your best stopper on OMRs is your goalie. Erik Portillo was that tonight.

The Wolverines also created three OMRs. Luke Morgan started two of them, but he struggled to connect passes on either. Johnny Beecher continued his resurgence. After a long defensive shift, he cleared the puck with his legs, gained the zone and five-hole dropped it to Garrett Van Whye. GVW sniped a low shot past Autio giving Michigan a 4-1 lead.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The game was not smooth or fast-flowing by any stretch of the imagination. Penn State didn’t try to skate with Michigan…and it worked until it didn’t. The Wolverines took advantage on the power play and in transition. They also relied on their superb goaltender to make saves when they took chances. Again, Michigan has way more talent and should do this. They did. Time to do it again, tomorrow. That’s just how the standard this season.