OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan’s offense sputtered on night two against the Badgers. Wisconsin tightened up their defense for sure, and limited the Wolverines chances in total…and from dangerous areas. Michigan was able to get some chances, but Cameron Rowe was much better in net and didn’t leave many rebounds for the Maize and Blue to consume. Owen Power showed some elite forward-esque hands in his game-tying goal in the second period after a nifty dish from Kent Johnson. Brendan Brisson tallied a shot from distance in one of Rowe’s only bobbles in net. This performance was as much about the quality of play from the Badgers as it was a bad showing from the Wolverines.

[AFTER THE JUMP: Defense... not as sharp tonight]

DEFENSE

Analysis: Michigan defense was a little leakier than it was on Saturday. Keaton Pehrson had a number of issues with DZTOs. He also got beat on the penalty that led to Wisconsin’s second goal. Wisconsin’s offense is about as elite as you’ll find in college hockey, and they kicked it up a notch tonight. While the Wolverines held their own to an extent, the Badgers did manage to create many very good scoring chances and challenged Strauss Mann a number of times. Pehrson might have been picked a little on Dylan Holloway’s great individual effort to open the scoring. Dominick Mersch tallied early to start the third period on a bat out of the air in front of the net. Unfortunately for Michigan, that ended up being the game winner. Tough to keep the Badgers out of the net all weekend…despite holding Cole Caufield scoreless.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan got a couple more power plays than they did last night, but their quality was lacking. Michigan barely had any zone time in their first couple chances, and while they did get some extended time in their third opportunity, they were unable to create a dangerous chance. The Badgers do have a solid Kill and it showed tonight.

Michigan did the same thing to Wisconsin’s first couple of power plays, but giving the Badgers too many man advantages is only going to end one way. They held the zone for all 40+ seconds, got 4 straight shots, and finally were able to outman and outmaneuver the Wolverines when Achan was able to flip a puck over a prone Strauss Mann. All in all, it was a great showing by the Wolverines in the Kill department, but they gave up one chance too many.

Some ducking and dodging from Mann all night, facing 34 shots [Patrick Barron]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started in net on Sunday. Despite giving up three goals, I’m not convinced he could do a lot about any of them. Michigan’s defense was not quite as crisp tonight, so he did have a chance to make some big saves…and he did. He possibly could have done better on the third goal, but it was pretty fluky at that. There was not much else of note for Mann’s evening.

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan gave up a couple of OMRs that led to great chances for the Badgers. Mann stoned Caufield on the first one early on. The Wolverines were luckier on the second one after Pehrson got caught up ice and the ensuing 2v1 lead to a shot that went wide. Other than that, there was not much else in the transition game. Michigan did not generate one on the offensive side.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Wisconsin 54, Michigan 45