OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan’s offense took about 10-15 minutes to get going after a three week layoff. The Badgers skated circles around them for the opening part of the first period, as Michigan registered just one shot on goal. As the period closed, though, the Wolverines came out of hibernation and started creating chances. Those chances came to fruition at the beginning of the second period as Thomas Bordeleau dragged the defensemen and goalie out of position and dropped the puck into a dangerous spot for a Brendan Brisson dunk. Matty Beniers followed with another even strength goal on a 2v1. Johnny Beecher created a chance for an Eric Ciccolini goal after a juicy Robbie Beydoun rebound. Luke Morgan all but chased Beydoun as he went coast to coast and fired home a shot from a sharp angle. Granowicz redirected a Keaton Pehrson shot to make it five even strength goals for the Wolverines. Granted, Wisconsin did not put up the strongest fight in net, but Michigan was clicking on all four lines and created chances from all over the offensive zone, especially in the House and slot. Sure, the Wolverines hadn’t played in three weeks, but after a couple of hours, it sure didn’t look like it. Especially against the hottest team in college hockey.

[AFTER THE JUMP: Good defense!]

When not locking down Cole Caufield, Cam York was dishing out apples [James Coller]

DEFENSE

Analysis: While the Badgers did have their spurts of chances and forced a number of great Portillo saves, Michigan’s defense was pretty stout, mostly cleaning out the dangerous areas of loose pucks and clogging passing lanes. Cam York was also active going forward, tallying a couple of assists. Wisconsin has three of the top six point-getters in the country, and they only mustered a single goal off of a great breakout pass to a fourth-liner. Cole Caufield and Company were pretty limited in their effectiveness in chance-creation. Michigan tried to match up Pehrson and York against the Cole/Weissbach/TPB line, and it seemed to go like clockwork. That’s pretty impressive given that unit’s output coming into this game. Michigan also did a fantastic job back-checking and bothering shooters. Van Whye and Bordeleau both were tremendous in their defensive efforts tonight.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan got one power play, late in the third period and looked great. They held the zone the entire time, moved the puck well, and created multiple dangerous looks…nothing better than Power’s silky-smooth backdoor pass to Blankenburg.

Michigan had one penalty to kill…and they crushed it. Wisconsin held the zone for the open 10-20 seconds, and that was it. They couldn’t even set up the power play after that.

Despite some adventurous dalliances, Erik Portillo stole the show [Patrick Barron]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Erik Portillo started in net. That should tell you about the confidence the coaching staff has in him. This is a monster series and the Wolverines have a proven winner, but the Swede got his chance…and showed why. After a nice— but mostly uneventful— first period, Portillo made about 3-4 A+ saves in the second frame to preserve the lead as his teammates were busy beating his counterpart Robbie Beydoun in the opposite end. Portillo made a couple of robbery saves from right around the crease and stoned a contested breakaway to follow it up. Erik had a triple-save sequence that all but solidified the period and game. His rebound control has been better. The ones that have gotten loose seemed to come after big shots that weren’t overly controllable. His blemish came on a defensive nap that lead to a breakaway to open the scoring in the game. Michigan will probably start Mann in net tomorrow, but that has nothing to do with Erik’s performance.

Matty Beniers just keeps making plays [James Coller]

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: After Mike Pasta was stoned on a 2v1, the Wolverines gave up a goal on a breakaway when Mathieu de St Phalle got behind York and Pehrson. There were a couple other borderline OMRs from the Badgers, but nothing blatant enough to count.

The Wolverines won the transition game tallying four OMRs. Pasta’s shot on a 2v1 was saved; Beniers tallied on a long 2v1 rush; the net was dislodged otherwise M had an open look from the slot on a 4v3; Beecher was stoned on a breakaway. Michigan could have easily had multiple goals in transition on Saturday.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Wisconsin 53, Michigan 52