Michigan Hockey Game #21: Michigan 4, Arizona State 1

OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan’s offense took the better part of a period to get going, but once they did, they tallied twice. Matty Beniers put on a show, getting his first career Michigan hat trick. Eric Ciccolini also scored on a redirect from a Thomas Bordeleau shot from the dot. After a lackluster second period, the Wolverines came storming out of the dressing room in the third and Beniers put the game on ice with his final goal of the evening. ASU could not really skate with Michigan, again. They don’t have the most talent Michigan will see this year. However, the Wolverines did what they were supposed to do…and that’s all one can really ask. Also, 76-31 isn’t too shabby, regardless of competition.

[AFTER THE JUMP: More Stats and Analysis]

When you tally three, you get multiple photos [James Coller]

DEFENSE

Analysis: Michigan’s defense surrendered two shots on net in the first period. The Ice Devils had a run of play in the second where they got some pucks through…but nothing consistently in dangerous areas. The Wolverines' defense pretty much kept ASU out of the attacking zone and to the perimeter when they actually did enter it. Again, the Ice Devils haven’t exactly been brimming with goals, so quality of competition must be factored…but this was another lockdown performance from a unit that has performed really well since the New Year break.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: The Wolverines had two power plays on the evening. Brendan Brisson blasted two bombs from the right dot in the first 30 seconds of advantage play. For the rest of the power play and the through the next one, Michigan generated just two attempts on net. If there’s an area of focus, it should be on restarting a previously popping power play. The Wolverines have one more time to do that before a big showdown in Minneapolis next weekend.

The Wolverines gave the Ice Devils one power play and they defended it pretty well. ASU was able to gain some zone time and they got a couple of pucks to Portillo. There was nothing of high danger, though. Only taking one penalty is great. Do that again tomorrow.

Slip and slide and fall in love and I just can’t seem to get enough [James Coller]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Erik Portillo started in net on Friday night. After a two-save first period, he was called into action in the second, making a handful of nice saves. His biggest was against Ice Devil star Johnny Walker on a 2v1. The goal that finally beat him was after a shot block that ricocheted off of Chris Grando’s torso. Hashtag Shruggie. Sometimes games seeing very few shots and chances can be difficult because getting into a rhythm can be tough. Portillo was on top of his game all night tonight. I expect Mann back in the crease on Saturday evening, though.

The Ice Devils got one chance in transition, but Erik Portillo said NO [James Coller]

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: The Ice Devils' best scoring chance of the evening came on a Johnny Walker shot from the slot on a 2v1…that Erik Portillo shut down.

Michigan created a slew of OMRs, tonight. Most of them were harmless, though, garnering little danger. Granowicz did have a nice redirect on a 3v2, but Cole Brady was equal to it. Jimmy Lambert rang the post on the final 2v1. The Wolverines speed was apparent all evening in transition…which was expected.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 76 (!), Arizona State 31