OFFENSE

• Analysis: Michigan had a great offensive game tonight. They started white hot, scoring a goal very early, and even had one overturned for offsides. While the second period got choppy due to six different man-advantages, the Wolverines still piled up even-strength chances, getting shots from all over the ice, including more than enough from the slot. Michigan kept it up, netting their third even-strength goal in the third period to win it. Lockwood hasn’t had the season he’s dreamed about, but his contributions tonight were massive, including his game-winner. Michigan has gotten chances most of the year and now pucks are starting to find the back of the net.

DEFENSE

• Analysis: This was a generally positive defensive performance from Michigan. They mostly kept the Buckeye offense to the perimeter and entirely off of the board at even strength. The only issues that held them back were: a couple of really, really bad DZTOs in front of their own net; they also had some trouble getting clears late in the game, giving the Buckeyes extended zone time against fatigued skaters. While that is picking nits, those are a couple things that could easily cost them if they don’t clean up against talented forwards. Overall, though, another encouraging defensive effort from Michigan when they needed it the most.

[After THE JUMP: special teams eventfulness countered by the aforementioned defense and solid goaltending]

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A little unlucky, but too many chances [Coller]

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Analysis: Michigan had three man-advantages and only looked okay. They got their attack set up on one of their chances, but that was about it. Their other opportunities didn’t yield many great looks. This unit has been better lately, but there’s still plenty of room to grow.        
• While the Wolverine penalty kill wasn’t bad per se, the fact that they gave the top-ten ranked Buckeye power play five different chances was where they went wrong. Playing so well at even strength all night, they could not afford to allow Ohio State to stay in the game on special teams…but that’s what they did. The Buckeyes took advantage of a fortunate bounce off of Griffin Luce to tie the game. They also re-tied the game midway through the third after Martin got tangled up near the blue line and OSU changed angles to get a walk down the slot. Michigan did do a great job on the other Buckeye man advantages, but giving that well-run power play unit that many chances was the culprit.

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Mann. Rinse. Repeat. [Coller]

GOALTENDING

• Analysis: Once again, Strauss Mann was awesome. Now, he didn’t have to face a ton of Grade A slam dunks, but he made a number of saves that he tracked through traffic. He’s just been unreal this year. It’s difficult for me to see a major weakness in his game right now. Neither goal was his fault. Luce had an accidental redirect off of a pass for OSU’s first tally. The second was a walk down the slot that Gabriele put under the bar. Both were also power play finishes. That’s about the only way to beat Mann these days.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

• Analysis: Michigan only gave up a 2v1 early in the game and then shut down the Buckeyes in transition for the rest of the game. Mann made a nice save on OSU’s one OMR.      
• Unfortunately, the Wolverines squandered a few OMRs, including a breakaway from Morgan coming out of the box (that might have kept my blood pressure a little lower for the end of the third period). Michigan also had a couple 2v1s, but neither chance was a phenomenal look at the net. Winning the transition game was a positive, though.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 67(27), Ohio State 49(13)

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 66, Ohio State 49