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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan was down two of their top four defensemen, two of their top six forwards, and get absolutely jobbed on a head shot non-call in the third…and finally Michigan State can tie the game. That’s what it took. It was finally a mostly even game after Michigan played without half of their top players. BUT NOT LUKE HUGHES! A little bit of magic from the top five pick helped Hughes beat the OT buzzer and give Michigan the extra point. How often do you seen hockey buzzer beaters?! The Iron D stays in Ann Arbor another year.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-This game was much more even than last night, for sure. Michigan skated well and created chances, but they did not rip through the Spartans with multiple lines the way that they did on Friday night. Playing without Adam Fantilli and Rutger McGroarty was very noticeable. But that’s what it took to create a relatively even game. Michigan still won…and maybe should have in regulation, as well, too…but we don’t really need to go there…yet.

-Frank Nazar started to look a little dangerous. His goal was almost not contested, so it’s tough to rave too much, but he made some plays around the net and got to some dangerous areas with the puck. Give him another week and load this lineup back up and hoo boy. Dylan Duke also had a Duke Goal on a deft tip in front of the crease. He’s just an absolute menace down low. We won’t talk about his OT giveaway and ensuing penalty…

Defense Notes.

-LUKE HUGHES BUZZER BEATER! This game was not without some Hughes gaffes. He turned the puck over in his own end that started the sequence on the first MSU goal (Ethan Edwards also played a role). He also had a couple more curious giveaways that we haven’t seen for a while. However, given the state of Michigan’s defense, he shouldered another massive load and skated down so many loose pucks. He also created so much in the offensive zone as no Spartan could come close to skating with him. Then the presence of mind just to get that puck on net as timed almost ran out. Luke Hughes!

-Jay Keranen has been an unsung hero on this team. In his career, he’s bounced from forward to defense to the bench to the press box. With the slew of injuries on defense, he's getting top four minutes and plenty of time of special teams as well. He’s also looked pretty good. Definitely on Saturday night. Luke is in a category by himself, but Jay Karenen was Michigan’s next best defenseman. The senior is going to be heavily called upon down the stretch on the backed for Michigan. So far, he looks up to it.

The Iron D (Bill Rapai)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Michigan scored a power play goal late in the first period. Mackie Samoskevich took a shot that ricocheted across the ice to TJ Hughes. Hughes fired a shot through a couple of Spartan defenders and Dylan St. Cyr to give Michigan an early lead. It was definitely a fortunate play, but as it is said “That’s why you throw it at the net.” Michigan actually had a very good power play in the third period. They moved the puck well, held the zone, and got multiple great chances, including one that St. Cyr just leaked wide. Without four normal power play skaters, this was a positive performance overall.

Penalty Kill. Too many penalties. Again. Maybe this is just college hockey reffing; maybe it’s Michigan’s lack of discipline; maybe it’s the types of games that teams play against then. Probably a mix of the three. The Wolverines penalty kill was pretty good, overall. They just need to not have to use it so often. The one goal was a nice shot through screens that found an open area of net. It happens.

Mackie Samoskevich was clearly hit in the chin by a shoulder midway through the third period. He went down and didn’t get up right away. This wasn’t called right away, but it was reviewed…and called clean. Most of the time (with these rules and refs and all of the rest of the nonsense), I never have super strong takes on what hits are clean or not or if it’s a major, etc. BUT…based on what I have seen called this year, that was DEFINITELY a major. It probably isn’t a penalty in the NHL. But in college hockey…the way it’s been called in Michigan games…there is no doubt in my mind. Alas, no call…I literally now have no idea what we’re doing here and/or if any rules apply or when.

Somewhere, Brian is happy (Bill Rapai)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. What an up and down night for Erik Portillo. What a weird year. It looked like Portillo got a little lost on both goals. The puck was bouncing around in front of him on the first one, but he just couldn’t grab it and it ended up on the stick of Miroslav Mucha (both defensemen also gaffed before, so that one is not totally on him, though). On the third goal…I don’t know. It looked like he just…didn’t see the shot? Maybe he was screened, but Alex has been talking about his inability to track the puck all season. I can’t really disagree. That is hard to figure out. Erik Portillo also saved the game multiple times for Michigan, as well. He made an all-world kick save off a end boards bounce, right out in front of an open net on a penalty kill. That might have been the save of the year. He also had a handful of other beauties sprinkled throughout the game. It wasn’t a necessarily a poor performance (it was actually pretty good overall). There are just those moments that are a bit befuddling.

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. Michigan State got one rush and had a decent look from straightaway, but Erik Portillo came out to grab it easily. That’s it. That’s all MSU could muster in transition.
Michigan got a few chances in transition. Frank Nazar scooped up a loose puck that a Krygier lost as he skated by the ref, leaving the zone. On the 3v1, Nazar was allowed to walk right in on Dylan St. Cyr, made a little fake, and lifted his shot above the smaller netminder to give Michigan a 3-2 lead. Luke Hughes also had a 2v1, but could not beat St. Cyr with his chance.

FINAL THOUGHTS

That was a weekend. I’m glad Michigan is (probably) done with MSU this season. They’re definitely a better hockey team. They play well and do smart things. They just don’t have the players to compete, yet. Plus, all of the craphousery…I’m done with that. In the end, a 5 Point weekend for Michigan. Notre Dame took 5 of 6 from OSU. Michigan is now in firm control of 2nd place in the Big Ten, and they’re 3rd overall in Pairwise. Next up: OSU on Thursday at 7pm on BTN+.