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

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-Notably missing Kent Johnson for the second straight game (he’ll also miss the next three games due to the WJC) and also being without Thomas Bordeleau for undisclosed reasons, the Wolverines jumbled their lines, again. Michigan usual flow and chemistry did look off at times without those mainstays on their top two lines.

-Another reason that the game lacked some zip at times was the condition of the ice. Woof. Michigan struggled in a slopfest at Lawson back in October, and this was not much different. While the conditions are the same for both teams, turning the game into slush was going to bring the talent closer to 50/50.

-Michigan’s goals came from around the net all evening. Nolan Moyle was able to poke in the Wolverine second goal after highly touted Jakub Dobes leaked a puck he thought he saved. Mike Pasta got the game winner after Luke Morgan was able to beat a defenseman down the right wing. Brendan Brisson doubled Michigan’s lead 25 seconds later poking the puck past Dobes, who did not hold his post very well.

Defense Notes.

-Already missing Owen Power to Team Canada, Michigan’s depth was further tested after a scary-looking arm injury to Steve Holtz and a controversial ejection to Jay Keranen. Keranen will most likely be back Saturday night, but Holtz’s status is more iffy. It could get interesting on the backline.

-According to Alex, Luke Hughes had a very good night overall. While most of his creations did not come to complete fruition, he was able to create and move well on a tough surface. He got into the slot a few times and was able to switch sides to open up some opportunities. Ohio State did not appear to have an answer to his skating ability. They are not alone in that.

Nick Blankenburg buried his eighth goal of the year and his third on the power play (James Coller)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. The Wolverines scored of their first attempt on their first man advantage of the evening. Mike Pasta was able to feather a pass across the crease to a wide open Nick Blankenburg at the back post. That was a lot of OSU’s 63% PK just not stopping anything. Michigan did get one more opportunity, but they barely got anything set up in the zone. Michigan probably would have preferred a Special Teams Game, but winning a game without that is a bonus.

Penalty Kill. Michigan only gave Ohio State two man advantages. The Buckeyes were able to cash their first chance off of a Portillo rebound to the opposite dot. A shot from the point was bounced to an open Georgii Merkulov who tied the score at one. A rather sketchy call/ejection on Jay Keranen gave OSU a five minute power play. The Wolverines did a great job killing that, led by Portillo and Johnny Beecher blocking shots. That call will be discussed on next week’s HockeyCast.

Erik Portillo saved 38 of 40 shots (James Coller)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Erik Portillo had another very impressive night in net. While he did struggle with some rebound control early on, he settled in and made a bunch of Mountain Man saves. During Michigan’s five minute Kill, Portillo came up huge on a number of plays, preserving the 2-1 lead. As the third period waned, he made three or four do-or-die saves around the net. While there was some debate as to his rebound on the first goal, it looked to go off of the bottom half of his pad…right to an open shooter on the opposite dot. I say that’s pretty uncontrollable. Nick Granowicz missed a clear on the second goal. Portillo made a couple of saves before Grant Gabriele was able to get into the House and beat him. Michigan will certainly be happy with these performances, overall.

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. After giving up eight OMRs last Friday night against Minnesota, Michigan almost went two games without giving up another one. Late in the third, finally a Buckeye got behind the Wolverine defense and was in on Portillo alone. His shot was too high, though.

Michigan generated three OMRs. Brendan Brisson weirdly did not shoot his golden chance from the slot on a 2v1. Matty Beniers had a great look at the end of a 3v1 that went wide. No Wolverine was able to finish their transition chance on Friday night. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

In a sloppy iced, frustratingly called contest in Columbus, short-handed Michigan gritted out a tough win. While we did not see the high-flying offense, we did see blue collar puck-finishing around the crease. Erik Portillo outplayed his fellow-drafted counterpart Jakub Dobes, making big saves down the stretch. Michigan may or may not get a couple guys back for Saturday night’s contest, but if they can pull out one more win, they will finish the first half of the season in firm control of the Big Ten and a top two ranking in Pairwise.