Michigan Hockey Game #24: Minnesota 4, Michigan 2

OFFENSE

Analysis: As a spoiler alert for every area of the game, Michigan’s offense was good, not great. While the Wolverines did create a number of really good chances, they could not finish them on Saturday evening the way they seemed to on Friday. Michigan had chances in transition, but Lafontaine made saves. They created looks in an around the net, but pucks went wide or got blocked. I still think Michigan lacks a truly elite goal scorer. The team does score, but the finishes come from different places on a couple of different lines. That’s not always a terrible thing, but there isn’t always consistency. Minnesota also played pretty well defensively, tonight. Jack Lafontaine was also more consistent than last night. Either way, it wasn’t a poor performance by any means…just lacked the finish too many times.

Blankenburg’s snipe from straightaway was his 5th tally of the season, leading Michigan defensemen [JD Scott]

DEFENSE

Analysis: Once again, Michigan’s defense was pretty solid all evening. For the most part, they seemed to keep the Gophers out of the high danger areas, especially at even strength. They force Minnesota to shoot from distance and allowed Mann to see the puck. Unfortunately, they got caught in transition a few times and paid for it once. They also had a couple sloppy clears, including one that lead to the game-winner. On most nights, this performance will probably win games. Nick Blankenburg also chipped in offensively with a snipe from the top of the House, tying the score at one.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan drew two power plays in the first period, earning great opportunities to start the game off on a positive note. While their puck movement was fine, and they did get some chances, none of them were on net. That was a constant through all three of their advantages. The Wolverines had six power play minutes, but could not muster a shot on goal. Their third advantage was their biggest struggle. Minnesota had the puck longer than they did. Woof. Again, overall puck movement was fine, but it lacked the final execution.

The Gophers had two power plays and they both lead to goals. Scott Reedy sniped a Ranta-esque shot around two defenders and over Mann, right under the bar. I guess a killer could have closed him down a little quicker, but there’s very little anyone can do with a shot like that. The second advantage didn’t score, but it held the zone and wore down the Wolverine skaters. Dakota Raabe could not clear after a nice steal in the middle of the ice. After a puck reversal, McLaughlin beat Mann to the post, and the Gophers were up 3-1. On the positive end, Michigan only took two penalties all evening.

A job well done all series by Michigan goaltenders both past and present [Patrick Barron]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started in net on Saturday. He started both games in a series for the first time since 2020. He played well, for the most part. Mann didn’t have to make many wonder saves, like he did on Friday, in order to keep Michigan in the game. He did a good job, getting to everything that was manageable, though. The only bobble was on the Gophers third goal. Blake McLaughlin fired an open shot from the dot that went off of the post, off Mann’s back skate, and into the net. Strauss looked awkward coming across, though, and didn’t get his pad out to deflect the shot away from the post…like we’ve seen him to many a time. The goal also came after a penalty kill…and a poor missed clearance by Raabe. Like every other area of the game, Strauss was good, not great, tonight.

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Unlike Friday night, Michigan created numerous chances in transition. Eric Ciccolini led a 2v1, cut into the slot, but Lafontaine was equal to his shot. Owen Power created a 3v2 with a late rush and was in on Lafontaine but could not beat him. Brisson had a chance on a 4v3 from the slot, but the puck fell to his off hand and he could not rearrange and find the empty net. Good chances for the Wolverines, but they could not bury any of them. It ended up costing them, unfortunately.

The Gophers created three OMRs on Saturday evening. Brodzinski finished a 3v2 above Mann after two nice passes used up both Wolverine defenders. Minnesota had a great chance on a 2v1, but the attempt missed the net. In the end, Minnesota won the transition game, getting that early goal.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 56, Minnesota 47