OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan started slow in the first half of the first period, but they picked up speed and overwhelmed Notre Dame as the game continued. Even though the volume of chances were always similar, the quality of looks category was vastly in Michigan’s favor. Thomas Bordeleau redirected an Owen Power blast to open the scoring. Cam York Hughes’d his way into the zone and scored on his patented wraparound. Kent Johnson also tallied a couple of goals on a deflection and an open-net finish following a nice rush from Morgan and Beniers. Michigan’s finishing has been great since the second half of the season started. Tonight was just the latest example. They create good chances and now they’re putting them away. This time, it was against a team that shut them down for two games a couple of months ago.

[AFTER THE JUMP: More good defense and penalty killing??]

Power was wheeling and dealing, collecting three assists [James Coller]

DEFENSE

Analysis: Coming into Thursday’s game, the Wolverine defense was on a tear. That continued tonight. They surrendered only a handful of good chances in the last couple of series. Tonight, there were about two…and one was super unlucky following a stick break in the offensive end. Like their offense, even though the volume was high, they mostly kept the Irish to the perimeter and stayed between the shooter and the net. Granted, Notre Dame isn’t the most talented offensive team, but mostly shutting them out of dangerous areas is yet another mark of improvement on their road to redemption. Slowly but surely, all of the first half woes are steadily moving out of the danger zone and into the breathable zone.

Philippe Lapointe tallied the first goal of his career on a rebound [Patrick Barron]

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan drew their only man advantage of the evening and promptly scored on it. They moved the puck well and generated a couple of great looks before Power entered the zone, Beniers drove the net, and Philippe Lapointe tallies his first career goal on a whack-a-mole rebound. The Wolverines got an extra power play chance at the end of the game and almost scored a couple of times on that…even though it was irrelevant to the outcome. The power play has been the best in the country aside from a couple of teams that have played fewer than ten games.

Notre Dame got three man advantages and Michigan’s penalty kill just crushed them. The Irish mustered one shot on in their first four minutes. They did generate a few on their third power play, but still had trouble getting a Grade A chance. Michigan also is starting the pass the eye test, as well. If they continue to improve in this area, look out.

Portillo’s long reach and huge frame give him a tremendous advantage [Patrick Barron]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Erik Portillo made a semi-surprising start in net on Thursday. Like he previous start, he made the requisite saves. His big moment came on a breakaway that he stoned. Portillo came out to meet the attacker and used his stick to deflect the puck to the corner. While he does track the puck well and move smoothly in the crease, Erik still does give up some rebounds. That is probably the biggest thing to watch when he is in net right now. Notre Dame did break his shutout out after a defensive breakdown late in the third. Overall, it was another encouraging performance by the freshman.

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan’s speed showed strong on Thursday evening, creating three OMRs. Brisson was on the shooting end of a 2v1 and a 1v0. He shot surprisingly high from about five feet out on the 2v1. On his semi-breakaway, he buried the puck in St Cyr’s chest. Morgan and Beniers created a great chance on a 3v2 for Kent Johnson who finished easily over a prone St Cyr.

Michigan surrendered a breakaway after Philippe Lapointe snapped his stick on shot from straightaway. Erik Portillo made his biggest save of his night. The Wolverines have been pretty solid in transition in the second half of the season…at least in competitive games, ha.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Notre Dame 50, Michigan 44