OFFENSE

• Analysis: For an offense that had been thriving in the last six weeks, the Wolverines went cold at the worst time. Notre Dame’s defense was an absolute fortress all weekend and Cale Morris played like his 2018 self. Michigan did create some decent chances throughout the game, but those were not nearly enough tonight. While they’ve scrapped their way back to scoring at a decent rate in their last five series, the Irish were just too darn solid, giving up very, very few Grade A chances. It was going to take a bounce, crazy deflection, or NHL-level snipe to get on the board tonight. Unfortunately, the Wolverine attack did not have that in them this weekend.

DEFENSE

• Analysis: The numbers indicate a little sloppiness from the Wolverine defense; the play on the ice was also up and down. The Irish clogged the ice all night and kept the Wolverines in their own end, not allowing much free-flowing transitional play. Michigan failed to clear the puck consistently as well. They did, however, mostly keep free shooters to a minimum, but allowed a lot of attempts from the House, including close to 50% of Notre Dame’s total attempts at even strength.  Eventually, they lost an attacker who fired a perfect attempt past Mann. Unfortunately, the margins were too slim all weekend.

[After THE JUMP: one thing that maybe could have bailed Michigan out and two things that held the game close]

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Crunch. Crackle. Snap. Slam. Plop. [Coller]

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Analysis: Michigan gave up three man advantages tonight but no goals. Notre Dame probably should have scored on a couple of them, but Strauss Mann stole multiple goals by himself. The Wolverines relatively easily killed the other two penalties. Obviously it helps have an elite goalie, but Michigan’s penalty kill has greatly improved and got positive results all weekend. On the other hand, Michigan’s power play could not gain a tally either night, going 0/2 on Saturday. They created one great look for Nick Pastujov, but the Irish mostly stifled everything the Wolverines set up all weekend. The Wolverines probably could have used this being a really tightly-called series, but it was not.

GOALTENDING

• Analysis: Once again, Strauss Mann plays extremely well in net, holding the shutout late into the third before Stastney got loose and fired a bar-down snipe to break the deadlock. Mann also could not stop a rocket off of Morrison’s stick that started as a 3v2 and ended up as a breakaway. While he didn’t have to stand on his head very often, Mann did make a number of great saves. It’s tough to ask a lot more of a goaltender. Eventually a defense was going to break down. Unfortunately, tonight it was his.

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Great stuff all year Mr. Coller, but this might be your most suggestive photo yet [Coller]

ODD-MAN RUSHES

• Analysis: Michigan created two OMRs, one of which resulted in a phenomenal chance for Jacob Hayhurst. He deked Morris, but Cale was able to get enough of the shot to slow it down before covering it. The Wolverines also generated a 3v2 that resulted in nothing after a poor pass. Beecher’s poor blue line pass led to an Irish breakaway that Mann stoned. Notre Dame converted their other attempt. What started as a 3v2 ended as a 1v0 and Cam Morrison all but clinched the game with his scoring blast.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Notre Dame 50(24), Michigan 40(18)

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Notre Dame 49, Michigan 41