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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan did not get the game it needed from Erik Portillo or Luke Hughes. They did manage to hang around just close enough to keep it interesting until an empty-net goal sealed the game with around three minutes left. Once again, they were without multiple starters, including major scorers Adam Fantilli and TJ Hughes. Soft goaltending and a couple sloppy defensive plays once again doomed the Wolverines against the ultra-talented Golden Gophers.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Once again, Michigan was without two of their better offensive options in Adam Fantilli and TJ Hughes. For the first couple periods, it looked like they would not be able to generate much at even strength. In the third, however, the Wolverines did tally a couple of goals at 5v5. In total, Michigan did manage to outscore the Gophers 3-2 at even strength. A lot of this could be score effect. Michigan only scored a goal when they were down by three (3-0, 4-1, 5-2). Still, they did manage to get pucks in the net.

-Dylan Duke continues his strong first half of the season, filling the net two more times tonight. His shot distance probably totals about five feet, getting both of his goals right on the doorstep. Still, he knows where to go, is willing to pay the price, and his reaping the rewards. He’s up to nine goals on the year. His linemate Mackie Samoskevich fired home a shot from distance for his eleventh of the year, as well. 

Defense Notes.

-Like last night, overall, Michigan’s defense was pretty good. Johnny Druskinis and Luca Fantilli were both given opportunities and each of them looked like they might be able to contribute. Obviously, Michigan’s top two pairings are set, but there has been a lot of rotation in the third pair. From what I have seen, Luca Fantilli looks to have earned one of those spots.

-Once again, Luke Hughes tried to pinch at the blue line, but didn’t win the puck (Nolan Moyle wasn’t totally innocent on the play, either, FWIW). That eventually lead to Truscott being hung out to dry and a 3v1 turned into a 2v0 in the House. Matthew Knies and Jimmy Rhett Pitlick combined for the goal. That was an absolute back-breaker in the mid first period. Short-handed, Michigan just needed more from Luke. They don’t necessarily need him to tally plural points, but they do need better in his own zone, and he cannot be giving away breakaways like that. To his credit, Luke did have a great hold at the blue line that lead to Duke’s second goal.

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. After a very good night on the man advantage, Michigan backed it up with an off night. They generated very little and barely threatened Owen Bartoszkiewicz. Obviously, it is impossible to be great every night up a man, but tonight was a night the Wolverines could have used a little more.

Penalty Kill. Minnesota’s power play was buzzing all night. They overwhelmed Michigan on the man advantage. Jaxon Nelson had an easy redirect just in front of the crease. Matthew Knies deflected a Nelson shot that went in off of Erik Portillo’s blocker (somehow). Michigan looked to be playing a “fronting” system that tries to block shots and stays in front of guys instead of tying up attackers near the crease. The backside defenseman was definitely late getting across a couple of times, and it came back to bite them on the Nelson goal…and came close on another few chances, too. Minnesota is good up a man, but they identified a weakness in the Wolverines and exploited it on Friday night.

Yeah. (Marc-Gregor Campredon)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Like last night, this was a grand opportunity for Erik Portillo to steal a game. With Michigan still without their best offensive player their other high end players needed to step up. Portillo did not have one of those games. Just ten minutes into the game, he was beaten short side and high by Jackson Lacombe. Not great. He also gave up a rebound on a 5x6 before a power play that Cal Thomas was able to jam inside the post. Oof. Minnesota didn’t overwhelm him with shots. The defense, again, was good enough (except in those few circumstances where they definitely were NOT). After Michigan got back into the game, Portillo deflected a shot off of his blocker and up into the net. Supposedly the shot was tipped, but I’m not sure how the angle of your blocker should ever be able to put the puck in the net. To his credit, Erik Portillo was very good in transition and shut down two very good opportunities for the Gophers. On a short-handed night, though, Michigan was needed a little more in their own crease.

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. Michigan gave up a 3v1 just into the second period and Portillo made a nice save and cover. Another batch of bungled plays lead to a 2v0 and again Erik Portillo stepped out to deny Matthew Knies with his right pad. I guess he just needs to face more dangerous chances.

The Wolverines did get a couple chances in transition. After good passing on a 3v2, Jay Keranen walked down the wing unchecked, but Owen Bartoszkiewicz made a terrific save. Rutger McGroarty and Gavin Brindley played catch on a 3v2 before Rutger sniped one to the far top corner…JUST after the second period buzzer sounded. It was a well-worked rush that took JUST a tick too long.

FINAL THOUGHTS

A much hyped series ended up as a flop as Michigan was not able to ice nearly a full lineup. While they did put up valiant efforts in both games, too many of the same mistakes (defensive gaffes, penalty kill, soft goals) cost them when they needed an A+ game from almost everyone involved. To their credit, they didn’t quite and fought back, but it was never going to be enough. Given the health situation, this was probably always going to be a Minnesota sweep. It was. It’s too bad, too, because watching these two teams go at it at full strength is one of the highlights of the college hockey season. Luckily, they’ll play again in Minneapolis in January. Hopefully, everyone will be ready to go, then. Next up, Michigan gets Harvard next Friday and Saturday. Both games are at 7pm on BTN+.