CLICK HERE for Game Recap from Kristy McNeil and HERE other Pairwise information.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-For most of the game, the vaunted top line looked vulnerable. While Beniers did tally just after the power play, he also missed a few golden chances right in front of Autio. Later in the game, Mel Pearson moved Jimmy Lambert up with Kent Johnson and Matty Beniers. Brendan Brisson was put back with his year-long partner in Thomas Bordeleau. This move paid off when Brendan Brisson found a stray puck in the slot and hit the inside of the post for a 4-3 lead, completing the comeback, re-taking the lead.

-Tip your hat to Penn State. While Michigan was clearly not at their best, the Lions came out roaring and took it to the Wolverines throughout the game. In many ways, they probably deserved to win this game, but they also only capitalized on one of their six chances in transition. Michigan’s individual talent came through in the end and sometimes that overcomes a solid team effort.

-Thomas Bordeleau played his second game in a month+. He’s clearly still trying to get back to what he was to start the year. Putting Brisson on his line late seemed to generate a little bit more jump for him. With the a big road series next weekend in Minneapolis and the Wolverines poised to lose some players to the Olympics, Early Season Bordeleau will need to make his return…preferably sooner rather than later.

Defense Notes.

-The second period was one of the worst defensive periods I’ve seen from Michigan this season. It didn’t really matter who was on the ice or with whom they were paired. Michigan surrendered 20 shots, 13 of which came from the House. They also give up five OMRs, despite only one resulting in a goal. Erik Portillo had some uncharacteristic gaffes as well. That was a total Yikes period.

-Owen Power had a frustrating game. A couple of his gaffes lead to OMRs for Penn State. He also had a bad giveaway on the penalty kill that almost resulted in a goal from the slot. Down a goal late in the second, he had a golden chance at the net to tie. With no Lion near him, he walked in on Autio and hit the post. Everyone has down nights –and there haven’t been many for this future star- but Saturday is one to forget.

-Ethan Edwards again showed some positive signs. He covered for a bad turnover and forced the puck back to teammates in transition. He also picked a nice spot or two to jump the play. Luke Hughes, while having a bit of a stray night defensively, scored the game-tying goal with a great burst of speed…and somehow didn’t get injured after barreling head and knee first into the boards right after. Not the best night for the defense, but there were a number of salvageable moments.

Nolan Moyle cut Michigan to a 1-0 after this huge Autio gaffe (James Coller)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Michigan got one whole power play on the evening. Despite not getting a shot during the specific two minutes, they moved the puck really well and created a bundle of chances…they just could not get the puck on frame. Just after the power play ended, Matty Beniers drew Michigan within one…before Kenny Johnson was able to get back to the bench. So, by the spirit of the law, that’s a power play goal.

Penalty Kill. Despite Penn State having a dangerous first power play, it was Michigan who scored on it. Oskar Autio got rather ambitious with a stretch pass that was intercepted inside his blueline. Jimmy Lambert and Nolan Moyle played catch about five times as they approached the net before Moyle was able to slice the puck behind the embarrassed netminder. Jack Summers took a bad major penalty rocking Danny Dzhaniyev in the head. That ended up being Michigan’s finest hour as they killed off the prolonged Lion advantage. While it took a bit of post and timing luck (it was five minutes, afterall), Erik Portillo shone brightly again and all skaters stayed positionally sound and got clears when possible. Another great performance from that unit.

An awkward evening for the Big Swede (James Coller)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. This may not have been Erik Portillo’s best night in net, but it also wasn’t as bad as it seemed halfway through the game. After a Ben Copeland shot from his right where he looked like he held his post, Portillo kinda rocked over and lost his balance and fell as the puck squeaked from under him to behind him. Just a few minutes after that, Erik dropped a rebound -from a shot he easily tracked- out in front of him to a waiting Christian Sarlo who easily finished his chance for a 2-1 Penn State lead. He certainly is going to want both of those back. After ceding one more goal off of an OMR, Portillo stabilized and kept Michigan is striking distance until the scoring began. He did pretty well during the onslaught of the major penalty and made 5+ game-savers down the stretch to preserve Michigan’s thin advantage. Finding a way when you’re having an off night is the mark of a mature player.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Nooooooooooooooo (James Coller)

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. For the first and third periods, Michigan handled the transition game very well. In the second period, they fell asleep at the wheel and Penn State got FIVE OMRs, including two breakaways, and two 2v1s. Yikes, man. After making big saves on the previous three, Portillo was finally beaten by Paul DeNaples. That capped a pretty rough stretch of play for the Wolverines. Michigan had been really sound in this department since the second half of the season began…until the second period.

Michigan created one chance in transition…back in the boring first period. Johnny Beecher got free down the left wing on a 3v2, but he fired his chance high and wide. After getting eight chances on Friday night, the Wolverines back it up with only one on Saturday.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Penn State is always a dangerous team just because of the way that they play. This is not one of the best versions of a Lion team, but they played well (outside of a couple soft Autio goals) on Saturday and gave a less than stellar Michigan team all they wanted. The Wolverines scrapped back from down 3-1 late in the second to save the three points. That is a hallmark of a championship contender. You’re not always going to have your stuff, but if you can find a way get guys out, you can give yourself a chance. Michigan’s players up and down the roster did that on Saturday night. Don’t look now, but the series in Minnesota looms pretty large next weekend. Friday’s game is at 9pm EST on Actual BTN.