OFFENSE

Analysis: The Wolverine offense came off their biggest effort of the season and backed it up with two goals. The first goal was the result of a Spartan defenseman falling over and losing the puck in the corner. Grano scooped up the puck, dished it to Ciccolini who made an incredible back-handed pass to and open Beecher. Johnny deposited the tying goal early in the first period. Michigan created a few chances throughout the next couple periods, but not many were Grade A. Part of the issue was a much better effort from the Spartan defense and goaltender Drew DeRidder. Both were much more competent than last night. Michigan did ratchet up the pressure in the third and forced DDR to keep State in the game. He did until Cam York created a juicy rebound off of a wraparound. Brendan Brisson was waiting for the tap-in. It’s not surprising that Michigan didn’t push ten goals in two games in a row, but dropping eleven in a weekend and not getting a sweep is a little disappointing.

Not his best effort, tonight, especially getting caught flat-footed on the game-winner [Patrick Barron]

DEFENSE

Analysis: The problem with playing in 50/50 games is that you lose too high a percentage of them. Michigan played pretty good defense all weekend, but had a few breakdowns and paid for each one of them. The Wolverines gave up a goal after neglecting to cover an open attacker in the slot very early in the first period. Then…they gave up very little until the last few minutes of the game. A Grano/Keranen DZTO lead to a centering pass that tied the game. All five skaters collapsed near the net on the game-winner, allowing a few nicely placed passes to set up and open net. It wasn’t a terrible effort from the Wolverines in the defensive end, but the paid dearly for most of their mistakes. But…good teams can close out games with leads. Especially when you’

Kept to the edges; not many great chances [James Coller]

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: After drawing five penalties on Friday night, Michigan acquired four more on Saturday. Unlike Friday, not only did Michigan not put the puck in the net, they did not look very coherent at all. While they did hold the zone very well all game, they were kept to the edges and couldn’t get the puck to dangerous areas at all. Michigan State did a good job of closing down the point and clogging all passing lanes. Michigan had chances to win the game on the power play all evening and couldn’t put it away.

Michigan took three penalties including a controversial major against Keaton Pehrson near the end of the first period. If there was a team to give a major penalty to, it would be Michigan State. The Spartans did create a more than they did last night, but they still didn’t threaten much on Saturday, either.

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started the game and played fine, again. State scored on their first shot of the game by an unchecked Combs in the slot. He picked a corner. Other than a loose puck that trickled into the slot that he saved, Mann didn’t have to make difficult stop…until the very end. Unfortunately, he had no chance on either of those shots. The game-tying goal snuck into the top corner. After that, the game winner came after two nice passes that moved Mann from once side of the crease to the other. Both goals came after hurried defensive gaffes.

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan created three OMRs, but they were all basically the same. None of them created any decent chance or threatening look at the net.

The Wolverines surrendered a weird 4v2 to MSU that was rather slow-developing. After looking initially menacing, the chance slid by with no real chance. Transition play was rather moot in this contest.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

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