OFFENSE

Analysis: If Michigan could have turned the Fatigue Sliders to off, they might have been able to win this game. The Beniers/Johnson line was buzzing for most of the night and created almost all of Michigan’s chances tonight…not that there were a ton to begin with. The rest of the Wolverines lines did bupkis. In the third period, Matty Beniers batted in a rebound to give the Wolverines a chance. This was just an abject performance on the offensive end. Michigan created a bunch of shots and fired quite a bit from distance, but they were unable to breakdown the Buckeye defense and get into the slot or House. Michigan has put themselves up against it, now. They’re going to need a much better effort on Saturday.

DEFENSE

Analysis: Michigan gave a very good performance in their own end on Friday night. They gave up two goals before they gave up a really great offensive chance. While Ohio State was finally able to get some good chances…but not many. The Wolverines did a very good job all night controlling the puck and keeping their end clear. Finally, they broke down and abandoned a couple of guys in front of Portillo. One was able to redirect a shot from the point for the Buckeyes’ third goal. Other than that, Michigan got what they needed from their backend guys.

KJ tallied another on one of Michigan’s two shots [James Coller]

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan drew four penalties and Kent Johnson scored on their first man advantage shot of the game. The problem was that they would only generate one more shot in the next six minutes of power play time. They did find a way to gain the zone, but the Wolverines could never get into the dangerous areas and force Nappier to move or react. Michigan is going to have to move the puck better to take advantage of their superior skill when up a man.

Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa [Patrick Barron]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Erik Portillo started in net on Friday and it did not go well early. He attempted to play the puck behind the net and after a bad bounce, he lost it in his skates and ended up getting beaten out in front for an open net goal. It looked like he had time and was a bit indecisive. As Alex mentioned several times, that will happen from time to time when you try to play the puck. Later in the period, Erik was beaten by a seemingly harmless shot from the top of the circle. Perhaps it was tipped? Tough to tell. He gave up one more –also from distance. There was little Portillo could do with the third goal, as his defense had abandoned him. One of two Buckeyes alone in front tipped the puck. He was also screened on that shot. Erik did shut down another breakaway, though.

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan started with a 4v3 in the opening frame. KJ got a shot from a dangerous area, but Tommy Napier was equal to it. The Wolverines got another 4v3 that probably could not have been executed any worse.

The Wolverines gave up a breakaway in the second period that Erik Portillo shut down. That was it for the transition game.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 63, Ohio State 32