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

What just happened (TL;DR): THE SHOT SYSTEM WENT DOWN, SO BOXES WILL BE WORDS. It was a weird game. Michigan got overlapping All You Can Eat majors and had four minutes of 5v3…after being up 1-0. They scored three times, and the game was basically over at that point. Two more 4v4 goals made it 6-0. At 5v5, however, BU probably had more dangerous chances. Erik Portillo denied a ton of those while the game was in doubt.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-The Eye Test says that this game was very different at 5v5 than the absurd scoreline. BU hemmed Michigan in and created a number of chances early. Starting the second period, they also carried some play before more penalties emerged. There was so little and infrequent 5v5 play, that it’s hard to say who looked better on the ice during even strength. In the end, Michigan scored goals and finished chances, but projecting that to Sunday is hard to do.

-Mackie Samoskevich continued his blazing start, potting two more goals. Rutger McGroarty also got his first Michigan goal in the third period. Gavin Brindley tallied an “even strength” goal…JUST after the opening man advantage ended. Dylan Duke also dunked a rebound off the back boards from a Seamus Casey shot. What a night.

Seamus Casey is here! (Patrick Barron)

Defense Notes.

-The only time this game was very close was in the opening 5-10 minutes. Michigan’s in zone defense left a bit to be desired giving up dangerous chances, struggling to get the puck out of the zone. After that, the game was completely different, so it’s tough to take a lot away. The opening period will be interesting on Sunday.

-One takeaway is that the offensive hype regarding Seamus Casey is becoming a reality. He netted two more goals and moved the puck well in the offensive zone, creating very good looks. Luke Hughes also finally found the net later, as well.

Samo gets a goal! TJ Hughes gets a goal!! AND SEAMUS CASEY GETS A GOAL!!!! (Patrick Barron)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Boston University took back-to-back major penalties in the middle of the first period. Michigan converted THREE 5v3 All You Can Eat goals. That drastically changed the course of the game. I don’t think I’ve ever seen four straight minutes of 5v3. Mackie Samoskevich didn’t get all of a centering pass from Dylan Duke, but he got enough of it to get it through Drew Commesso from the slot. Not the best goal to give up. TJ Hughes got his first goal of his Michigan career, tapping in a squeaker. Gavin Brindley, Rutger McGroarty, and Seamus Casey worked a beaUtiful tic-tac-toe snipe. Michigan signed, sealed, and delivered this game in those four minutes of the first period.

Penalty Kill. The Terriers got a few power plays, but ended their own advantages with…penalties. Michigan’s Kill was mostly fine. BU missed a redirect high, but didn’t do a whole lot else on their mostly shortened power plays. The Wolverines generally kept the Terries to the edges, not giving away dangerous looks. Late, after a Philippe Lapointe HEADBUTT, the Terriers score an open shot from the slot. Meh.

Like a Rock (Patrick Barron)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Erik Portillo had a wonderful game. Despite not having accurate shot totals, the Eye Test says he made 6-8 very good saves from dangerous positions. Michigan got lost and beaten in their own zone numerous times to start the game and Portillo bailed his team out numerous times. He also played very well in transition (SPOILER). Erik didn’t have to save the game or help the team hold on for dear life, but when called upon he was money. With a team that has shown insane offensive fireworks through three games, that’s all one can ask.

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. One major thing that Michigan has to do is clean up their play in transition. BU was able to get numbers on Michigan many times, but Erik Portillo was on point. He saved three of the five chances, including a breakaway and a 2v1. It took a 2v0 to actually get a puck behind him. So far this season, this has been a consistent flaw for Michigan. Portillo held the fort on Friday, but giving up fewer golden opportunities is a major talking point.

Michigan did get a 2v1 on a penalty kill. Nolan Moyle cut the puck into Vinny Duplessis’s chest.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This was a weird game. Michigan looked outplayed badly, until multiple Terrier penalties (including overlapping majors –that killed the stat tracking system, Y2K-style) gave the Wolverines three 5v3 goals, effectively taking the suspense out of a highly ranked matchup. Michigan cashed chance after chance, but very few were at 5v5. Not to say it is a concern, but it is difficult to project much going into Sunday’s matchup. If they hang another 9 in a couple days, then all bets are off! Sunday at 5pm. A rather large football game looms in about 14 hours, first, though.