OFFENSE

Analysis: Michael Pastujov opened the scoring very early with a double-doink off of both of Jeremy Hellickson’s legs that eluded Dylan St Cyr. After a promising start, it would be quite a while before Michigan could muster many great chances. The Irish defense played more like their November selves, instead of whatever we saw last night. Jay Keranen broke a 1-1 tie with a shot from straight-away. It looked like Granowicz might have gotten a piece of it, but I think it hit St Cyr’s stick and deflected into the net. Faced with a similar 2-1 lead like a couple of weeks ago in East Lansing, the Wolverines kept the pedal to the metal and added some insurance. Nolan Moyle sliced down the wing and Brendan Brisson buried the rebound the seal the game for Michigan. While this wasn’t the best offensive display, the Wolverines stayed patient and took their chances when they got them and slammed the door closed at the end.

[AFTER THE JUMP: Savor the weekend sweep] 

Jay Keranen has been a pleasant surprise this year. He tallied his first GWG tonight. [Patrick Barron]

DEFENSE

Analysis: After five very good defensive games to start the second half of the season (aside from three minutes in EL), Michigan defense finally cracked a little bit. Nothing was completely abysmal, but there were more DZTOs, sloppy OMRs, and a few unchecked shooters floating around the House. Strauss Mann more than made up for it in the end, but the defense was not at their peak tonight. The one goal was about as unlucky as it gets (similar to Pasta’s goal to open the game). Steeves redirected a puck through a forest of legs and inside the near post, as Mann was tracking it to the far post. To their credit, the Irish forwards also took it to their counterparts and lifted their play from a lackluster effort on Thursday. Given the last couple of weeks, one of these games was going to appear again, but to their credit, they didn’t get burned.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Bupkis. Not really. But basically. Michigan got their first power play with a minute left in the game, up 3-1. They still astonishingly tried to score and almost ended up giving the Irish a rush. Next time, just play keep-away.

Michigan gave up one power play. Notre Dame did next to nothing with it. Thomas Bordeleau had the best chance on his shorthanded laser that went wide. That was it for anything special teams related.

I got it! Wait, where is it? Oooop, there it is! [James Coller]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started in net for the 2nd back-half game in a row. He definitely had an interesting night. It was certainly not his smoothest game, as he left a number of rebounds, fumbled the puck from time to time, and almost got caught out of the net on a shot. However, when faced with a slew of OMRs and a few bad DZTOs, Strauss stepped up and made a handful of huge saves. Sort of like when a pitcher “doesn’t have his stuff,” Mann fought through an off-night and still gave a great performance when Michigan needed it the most.

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis:

Michigan had a rough night in transition. Notre Dame got a 3v2 early in which Mann saved, but left a rebound out in front. Before he could smother it, Blankenburg was checked into him by Lansdell and Mann was flat on his back. The 4th guy in for the Irish finished the goal, but it was waived off for the obvious goaltender interference. In the second period, the Irish generated a 3v2, 4v2, and 1v0. Mann made a huge save on the breakaway. Michigan got lucky on the others as the Irish missed the net on their opportunities.

Michigan created a 3v2 and Bordeleau found Mike Pasta in the slot, but Dylan St Cyr was equal to it. That was the Wolverines only chance in transition.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Notre Dame 60, Michigan 53