OFFENSE

Analysis: After taking the first period off, the Wolverines stormed into the second period and not only tallied three even strength goals but created plenty of A+ chances. I’m guessing they had more high danger chances in the second period than they did in their previous four periods on the weekend. Perhaps it was always coming, but the Wolverines superior skill and skating finally took over. Thomas Bordeleau and Brendan Brisson worked a beautiful OMR (spoiler!) to give the Wolverines the lead. Captain Jack Becker slammed home a rebound from a Jimmy Lambert shot. Thomas Bordeleau tallied a rebound from a sharp angle and added a filthy dangle later in the third. Eric Ciccolini scored his fifth goal of the season. Michigan doesn’t have a Cole Caulfield or Auston Mathews, but that have a number of guys who can score.

DEFENSE

Analysis: Saturday was another good performance from the Wolverine defense. Ohio State, again, produced minimal threats, however. One interesting note was Jack Summers played in place of Jay Keranen. That’s his first action of the second half of the season.

Dakota Raabe was back in the lineup, on the power play, and filled the net [James Coller]

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan’s first two power plays were not very effective. They registered an entire shot of both combined. The Wolverines were able fortunate to be given a five minute power play in the second period. It started off sluggish like the pervious couple, but eventually Brendan Brisson was able to get free in the slot and dish to a wide open Dakota Raabe, who cashed his chance from the dot. That goal brought Michigan to life an jump started the rest of the second period. While the power play clearly still needs some fine-tuning, that goal was pivotal in momentum shifting of the game. Michigan had another couple of opportunities in the third. They did a better job of gaining the zone and moving the puck, but the game was over by that point.

Michigan took some penalties on Saturday. Ohio State did not really take advantage of their opportunities. Michigan all but kept them from even setting up in the offensive zone. Eventually, the Buckeyes got a couple of chances on their third attempt, but Strauss Mann was equal to anything that Ohio State could muster. The Wolverines penalty kill remains high flying.

Pretty much sums up Mann’s night [JD Scott]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started in net…and had very little to do. He did have to save some chances in the third to complete his fourth shutout of the year. I’m going to take a shot and say that he will now being starting game for the Wolverines instead of splitting duties. Michigan was going to have to make that decision at some point, and this seems like the perfect time to do so. Portillo have been fine if not very good, but after his bobbles last night and the Wolverines needing to gear up for their tournament runs, Strauss needs to reclaim his rightful place.

Brendan Brisson broke the ice with help from Thomas Bordeleau [James Coller]

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan drew a 4v3 very early, but the chance amounted to an easy save. To start the second period, Brisson and Bordeleau worked a very nice 2v1 that saw Brisson finish his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Ohio State was also able to register a 3v2, but Strauss Mann was equal to the shot and fell on the puck. That was it for the Buckeyes chances in transition.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 55, Ohio State 37