Michigan Hockey Game #29: Michigan 6, Wisconsin 2
*PSA: Analysis sections may be a little shorter this evening due to game timing and my schedule tomorrow.*
CLICK HERE for Game Recap from Kristy McNeil and other pertinent information and HERE for current Pairwise Rankings
FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)
|
Total Attempts |
Even Strength |
Power Play |
Close (within 1) |
Even Strength % |
Wisconsin |
82 |
60 |
22 |
27 |
47% |
Michigan |
92 |
74 |
18 |
40 |
53% |
Forward Notes.
-It took Michigan a little bit longer on Saturday, but once again they showed their dominance over Wisconsin. After a mostly benign first period, goals came fast a furious in the second. Finding themselves down 2-1 after a couple of poor plays in their own end, Michigan re-asserted themselves and regained a 4-2 advantage going into the third period. The Wolverines dominated shots and chances in the final stanza, tallying two more goals leaving no doubt who owned all six points on the weekend. That is what elite teams do.
-Thomas Bordeleau had his moments (including a crazy 10 minute misconduct in the third), but he also made a nifty move to find an open Brendan Brisson in the slot. Brisson spun and fired a puck off of a diving defenseman and into the net for Michigan’s fourth goal. While Brisson will be heading to the Olympics, Bordeleau will not…and Michigan will be counting on his for more offensive creations next month.
-Jimmy Lambert made a nice play to enter the zone, wait, float into the slot, and fire a puck off of Cameron Rowe’s glove and into the net. Philippe Lapointe crashed the slot after a good entrance by Keaton Pehrson and finished a slick pass from Mike Pastujov to get on the scoreboard. Both guys are going to get their chances in the next four games. Getting each on the board Saturday night will hopefully boost their confidence heading into the Olympic month.
Defense Notes.
-This wasn’t exactly a poor performance defensively for Michigan, but they did get sloppy in their own end a few too many times for my liking. This was highlighted by players running into each other behind the net that lead to Brisson redirecting a point shot behind Portillo. Michigan was just scrambling and deflected the puck into their own net. Wisconsin was also able to walk in a few times and hit the iron at least twice. The Wolverines are just so much more talented than the Badgers that they easily overcame their silly mistakes…but puck management can always be improved.
-Ethan Edwards popped again. He had a very nice hold at the line, skated to space, looked to pass, walked in, and picked a corner. This was one of the most complete plays he’s made all season. I know I bring him up every game, but the guy just continues to grow and make plays. In Power’s absence, he has a real chance to have a great February.
-Nick Blankenburg was beat up all game, but he just kept going. It was good to see him rewarded with a PPG to put the cherry on a fun weekend. Granted, it was against the Badgers, but Keaton Pehrson and Jack Summers both looked solid, as well.
Captain Nick gets another tally against the Badgers (Marc-Gregor Campredon)
SPECIAL TEAMS CHART
|
PP Opportunities |
PP Corsi For |
PP Shots/Minute |
Wisconsin |
0/4 |
22 |
10/8 |
Michigan |
1/3 |
18 |
9/6 |
Power Play. Michigan finally got a power play in the last couple minutes of the second period. They did get quite a bit of zone time and moved the puck decently well. Mackie Samoskevich got a open look from the slot, but Cameron Rowe was able to deny him. Their second and third power plays were both effective, also creating quality chances. Eventually, Nick Blankenburg scored Michigan’s 6th goal of the evening on a poke-in, as the final whistle approached. This was not a game that the Wolverines needed their man advantage to carry them…but they did well, regardless.
Penalty Kill. Michigan’s first couple of kills were a little sketchier than their later couple. While Wisconsin didn’t overwhelm them in the House/Slot, they did get attempts on net and pucks on frame. Erik Portillo was able to see the Wolverines through the first couple kills. After that, the Badgers struggled to hold any relevant zone time. Overall, the penalty kill just rolls along.
Another high 30s save performance. Save, Rinse, Repeat. (James Coller)
GOALTENDING CHART
|
Michigan Shots Faced (House) |
Wisconsin Shots Faced (House) |
First Period |
10 |
9 |
Second Period |
18 |
9 |
Third Period |
12 |
19 |
Overtime |
n/a |
n/a |
TOTAL |
40 |
37 |
Notes. After a very sharp first period, where he made multiple solid positional saves, Erik Portillo had an up and down second period. Brendan Brisson tried to block a shot from the point, but he redirected behind and Portillo. That was rather unfortunate. Just seconds later, Erik just straight fanned on a visible shot from distance. That was just a poor effort. He definitely wants that one back. After that, he seemed to settle down. Portillo has some bobbles from time to time and sometimes takes a while to find and freeze the puck. However, in the end, he makes saves on 38 of 40 shots. Pretty good.
Luke Hughes is fun (Marc-Gregor Campredon)
ODD MAN RUSH CHART
Defense |
Rushes |
Advs |
Escape% |
Offense |
Rushes |
Advs |
Scoring% |
1st Period |
1 |
1v0 |
100% |
|
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
2nd Period |
1 |
3v2 |
100% |
|
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
3rd Period |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
4 |
2v1, 4v2, 3v2, 1v0 |
25% |
OT |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
Total |
2 |
1v0, 3v2 |
100% |
|
4 |
2v1, 4v2, 3v2, 1v0 |
25% |
Notes. Michigan gave up a couple of transition chances. Mark Estapa whiffed coming off of the bench leading to a breakaway chance that missed the net. Wisconsin also created the slowest 3v2 that I can remember seeing. Eventually a shot on Portillo was saved and frozen.
In the third period, the Wolverines created multiple OMRs, including a couple very dangerous chances. Luke Hughes dazzled after an electric pass from the boards from Mackie Samoskevich. His hands and feet are both phenomenal.
FINAL THOUGHTS
5-1 and 6-2. Two thumpings. Punish them, stay healthy, and don’t get suspended. Michigan accomplished that in addition to outclassing the Badgers. Notre Dame took two of three points from the Gophers on Saturday, as well. Michigan now heads into their Bye week (and exhibition vs the USNTDP) with a chance to practice with their new lines and pairings. Great timing. See you on Friday February 11th at Yost against Michigan State.
January 30th, 2022 at 12:28 AM ^
On the ice, just fine. Not as dominant as last night, but the score was just as decisive. Obviously, it's a downer to lose four of our best players for a few weeks, and I hope this doesn't hurt the team long-term.
Between this drama and now the off-ice stuff coming out, kind of a challenging time given how good the team is. Real adversity to overcome.
January 30th, 2022 at 1:33 AM ^
Whatever happens with the rest of the season, it really is a joy witnessing the talent Michigan has put on the ice. I hope it culminates in the championships everyone hopes for, but they are fun to watch regardless of what happens.
January 30th, 2022 at 4:24 AM ^
I really like and appreciate these writeups, but for the love of God, why not list who scored? It's like the most BASIC think you want to know about a game!
January 30th, 2022 at 8:48 AM ^
Michigan picks up 2 pts on Minnesota, 4 on Notre Dame, and 2 on OSU over the weekend. Current B1G standings:
- Michigan 18 GP 39 points
- OSU 18 GP 37 points
- Minnesota 16 GP 30 points
- ND 16 GP 26 points
- Penn State 18 GP 17 points
- Wisconsin 18 GP 16 points
- MSU 16 GP 15 points
Nice to create a little separation at the top. Olympics players will miss an exhibition against the USNTDP next week, we don’t play next weekend. Then they’ll miss the series against MSU and OSU. Barring a COVID outbreak at the Olympics, they should all be back for the season finale against ND.
More importantly, Michigan was temporarily overtaken by Minnesota State for #1 in the Pairwise rankings. However, last night’s game ended too late for them to be added into the formula. So Michigan should get bumped back ahead of them once that happens.
January 30th, 2022 at 11:09 AM ^
Our passing was stellar, particularly in the 2nd and 3rd period. Looked great.
January 30th, 2022 at 11:47 AM ^
The Badger Band Blows!!! IJS ...
January 30th, 2022 at 1:03 PM ^
Is this the best um hockey team ever in terms of talent?
January 30th, 2022 at 3:10 PM ^
In terms of NHL draft talent? Unquestionably. TBD with regard to what they actually accomplish both here at Michigan and in the NHL. The former is tricky due to circumstances and NCAA tournament randomness. The latter seems extremely promising.
January 30th, 2022 at 10:49 PM ^
The '96-'97 team was the best ever but got fluke eliminated in weighted plinko.
Went 35-4-4. Scored 242 goals, allowed 98 for the season. Morrison had 88 points.
They scored 22 goals short handed and allowed 35 power play goals. Which is pretty insane.
January 30th, 2022 at 11:33 PM ^
Michigan has had some great teams. The question of what is the best team is a bit different than which team is the best collection of talent. And the college/pro paradigm has changed quite a bit from, say, the days when Red Berenson’s transition to the NHL was a remarkable achievement.
January 31st, 2022 at 10:49 AM ^
That team was stacked with future NHL players: Brendan Morrison, John Madden, Bill Muckult, Jason Botteril, Marty Turco... To name several.
The lost in the tournament to a very good Boston University team that was highly ranked, but who played a very boring trapping style of hockey.
January 30th, 2022 at 1:52 PM ^
I usually resist temptation to ask "is the hockey team that Michigan just beat good or bad"? But this time the answer is in the header image. Well done Patrick Barron. Well done, sir.
January 30th, 2022 at 4:09 PM ^
it was nice to watch the team last night. Aside from some bad luck -- the own goal and inexplicable whiff on a blocker save -- Michigan looked dominant. An excellent watch for sure.
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