OFFENSE

• Analysis: Michigan generated plenty of offense against solid, defensive-minded opposition. The difference in this game was Cale Morris playing like it’s 2018 all over again. Michigan controlled the puck for the last couple of periods and consistently got into high danger areas. Morris was just too good every time. This was a peak Notre Dame performance, and they got what they needed to beat a swarming Michigan attack. Lockwood had a couple of golden chances, as did the Van Whye-Moyle combination. Nothing. Hayhurst finally cracked the code and beat Morris from close range after an extended extra-attacker session. Season sweeps against the Irish are really tough to complete.

DEFENSE

• Analysis: Michigan’s defense was sloppy in parts, as their clearances and transitions cost them a bit early. In the end, the second Irish goal was the result of a failed clearance and an unfortunate screen. Their numbers ended up fine, as the Irish did not alarmingly overwhelm the slot or crease…until later in the third. The first Irish goal was a decent look on a backhand from the slot. Mann slowed it down, but just couldn’t cover it in time.

[After THE JUMP: goaltending, special teams, odd-man rushes, cool photos, things of that nature]

Graduate already! [Coller]

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Analysis: Michigan had two power play opportunities and had nice chances on both of them. The biggest was a Will Lockwood streak down the slot alone on Morris. Like every other situation, Morris bested him. Given Notre Dame’s drooping penalty kill percentage, Michigan would have liked to get a few more man advantages, but the way Morris played it may not have mattered.   
• The Wolverines also gave up two power plays. After easily denying the first, Michigan was hemmed in their own, uh, slot for about 90 seconds. In addition to a couple Mann saves, there were post clangs, whiffed shots, failed clears…anything that could raise the blood pressure of every spectator from either side. Michigan killed the penalty but might have used up all of their luck doing so.

GOALTENDING

• Analysis: Strauss Mann played very well once again. He made a number of big saves early on and continued his dominance through the second period, keeping the Wolverines deadlocked in a scoreless tie. He also got a little lucky during a 90 second penalty kill scrum that involved a couple crucial stops at the end. Neither goal was his fault, although he may wish he could control the first goal’s rebound a little better. The shot came from the slot and he got a lot of it but not enough. Mann was screened on the second goal after a bad clearance. Sometimes the guy at the other end is just better. This was one of those times.

Michigan gave up no OMRs or PPGs to an offensively challenged team. And lost. This is a nice photo. [Coller]

ODD-MAN RUSHES

• Analysis: Michigan created a few OMRs this evening. The first two 2v1 were not very clear cut and neither generated a great scoring chance. Lockwood had a great Red Sea situation, sliding down the middle of the the Irish defense with a semi-break on the power play. Morris came out of his crease to disrupt him and the chance was gone.  The Wolverines did not give up an OMR.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 68(21), Notre Dame 44(19)

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 69, Notre Dame 45