Michigan Hockey Game #13: Minnesota 5, Michigan 2

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

What just happened (TL;DR): An under-manned Michigan team held their own with the Mighty Gophers until the third period when tallied a 5x3 goal and another not really power play goal to extend the lead sealed the game. Michigan actually defended pretty well, considering their lines/pairs, on Friday. In the end, it was the same mistakes that cost them: one silly defensive play, one poorly placed rebound, and a bizarre penalty that cost them the game.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Michigan was without Adam Fantilli, Nolan Moyle, TJ Hughes, and Jacob Truscott (a defenseman). It showed on the ice at even strength. Michigan got some chances, but very little was overly threatening. They hung in the game for a while, but most of that was due to strong defense at time and opportunistic power plays. They struggled to really challenge Owen Bartoszkiewicz. Minnesota is also very well-drilled defensively and held their positions very well. It was going to take a special play to create a very good look.

Defense Notes.

-All in all, I thought Michigan’s defensive effort was pretty solid for most of the evening. They blocked shots and mostly kept the Gophers out of the House and slot. Due to being down so many guys, Luca Fantilli, Johnny Druskinis, and Jay Keranen all got legit ice time. Forwards backchecked and tied up guys, as well. Michigan did struggle to leave their own zone and string together breakouts, but that has been true at times all year. This game was only going to be tougher given the overall situation.

-Luke Hughes fell asleep on a backdoor pass, abandoning Rhett Pitlick for Minnesota’s second goal. Michigan had tied up the game and just drew a major power play that would start in less than a minute. Hughes left his guy to help a teammate who already was in good defensive position. There is just no excuse for that. They was much hype about him coming back for a second year at Michigan. He does have 13 points (11 assists), but his play in his own zone at times has just been a major let down…especially on a night where they needed a better performance.

Dylan Duke picked up the scoring slack sans Adam Fantilli (Bill Rapai)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Once again the Michigan power play is very good. Seamus Casey and Rutger McGroarty both had crisp passes to set up Dylan Duke for an easy dunk. Eric Ciccolini drew a major penalty on Logan Cooley for cross-checking from behind, where Ciccolini went head first into the boards. There is a strong argument for Cooley getting a game misconduct. He did not. Duke finished that power play with a very nice baseball goal, knocking the puck out of midair and behind Owen Bartoszkiewicz. Those were his 6th and 7th goals of the year.

Penalty Kill. Michigan did a good job on the penalty kill…until they took a Protocol penalty for coming out onto the ice too late to start the third period. Logan Cooley blasted a shot by Erik Portillo on a 5x3 to extend the Gopher lead to 4-2. Luke Mittelstadt also tallied JUST after the next Minnesota power play ran out. Also a great shot. While that wasn’t technically an advantage goal…it was at heart. Minnesota moved the puck well and got great looks. Michigan was tired by that point in the third and the game was all but decided.

Erik Portillo kept Michigan in it…for a while (Bill Rapai)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Erik Portillo started in net and played well for the most part. He was under siege for most of the game despite a decent effort defensively from his team. He was beaten by a few really good shots. The only one that he’ll definitely want back would be the third goal. Logan Cooley fired a shot from the high slot, and Erik left it right out in front of himself for Jimmy Snuggerud to finish. This was the game for Portillo to play completely lights out and steal. He didn’t, but that’s fine. He played well, but was beaten by good shooters that overwhelmed his under-manned team.

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. Michigan gave up two OMRs on Friday night, BOTH coming when they were on the power play. Some of that is luck; some of it is guys not used to either playing on the power play or in those particular positions. Either way, they did not surrender a goal. Portillo made nice saves on both rushes.

Michigan created a 3v2 and a 2v1, but neither could not connect on a pass. Eric Ciccolini had an almost, but not really breakaway. Owen Bartoszkiewicz made a nice save…before Ciccolini was shoved head-first into the boards.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It’s really too bad about the sickness going through the team. It would have been fun to watch these teams go at it at full strength. The Gophers were also down their starting goalie, Justen Close, but their defense swarmed Michigan, protecting Bartoszkiewicz very well most of the night. Minnesota is a really good team, and it’s tough to take away what Michigan would look like against this team based on tonight’s game. My uneducated guess is that no one who didn’t play tonight will be back for Michigan. Eric Ciccolini couldn’t finish the game. It could be another interesting night at Yost on Friday. 6pm on BTN.