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

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-In the third period, Michigan held a two goal lead, their goalie was playing well, and they’d navigated a crazy penalty-fest…not to mention too many OMRs. For about 12-15 minutes, they just put on a clinic of professionally holding and ending a hockey game. Guys were in the right places, they made fundamental plays with and without the puck, and they executed down to the details. OSU barely had zone time, as Michigan would gather the puck, spread, and break it out for a dump and change. It was just a completely mature ending to a shutout sweep of Ohio State.

-As the Olympians begin to trickle back to Ann Arbor, Michigan’s lines are starting to gel. Johnny Beecher is really starting to pop. He’s making plays in all areas of the ice. He’s using his size and speed very well. Now, the little things are becoming very noticeable. Mackie Samoskevich and Dylan Duke also were very dangerous. Samo is shooting at will. Duke made an amazing deflection in transition as the only guy back on a 4v1. He also got to the net well and forechecked OSU, forcing multiple DZTOs.

-It will be interesting to see the line next weekend. Michigan ran with KJ/Beniers/Brisson for a while to start the second half and it went really well. With Bordeleau/Estapa/Pastujov also starting to pop, going back to that “Hero Line” could work as Michigan is solidifying their depth lines.

-Philippe Lapointe has been scratched for most of the year, but since he started getting on the ice, he’s now scored three goals in five games…including the eventual game-winner. While it wasn’t the most skilled goal, Lapointe has done a great job of getting to the crease and finishing. He’s going to make to take him out of the lineup.

Luke Hughes. (James Coller)

Defense Notes.

- Luke Hughes…again. He blurred through the neutral zone, spinning a Buckeye the wrong way, ghosted down the slot, and deked Dobes to the ice, easily placing the puck in the open net to give Michigan an insurmountable 2-0 lead. There have been many amazing plays in this building. That one will join them in the rafters. Unreal. He also made a number of other great plays, including more and more in the defensive end. But…tonight, there was just one to remember.

-Owen Power missing the last six games has been gold for Ethan Edwards. The game is really slowing down for him, and his responsibilities continue to grow. He’s looked strong on both sides of special teams. Edwards is also starting to make the little plays in the defensive zone to deflect pucks or change an attack angle. His still makes mistakes, but his confidence is noticeable, shooting the puck at the net nine times tonight (2nd only to Hughes, lol).

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Michigan had a many power play opportunities, but didn’t score on any of them. However, they did do a great job of creating chances and getting dangerous looks at Dobes. In the end, Jakub Dobes played really well and kept plural power play goals off of the board. Michigan’s power play has been going strong for a while, now. Tonight, the pucks just stayed out.

Penalty Kill. Once again, the Wolverines were strong a man down. They kept Ohio State off the board and mostly out of the dangerous areas. Van Whye and Moyle even got another 2v1 (but didn’t convert). Michigan’s penalty kill has been great at protecting their own net and surprisingly effective at attacking the opposition’s.

This wasn’t going in. But then…nothing was going in, tonight. (James Coller)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Erik Portillo may have saved one of his best performances for last at Yost during the regular season. He was absolutely locked in all night obtaining his third official shutout of the season. Once again, he made five saves against OMRs, including a breakaway as the clock ran out to preserve his shutout. Portillo also made multiple saves on Grade A chances in the zone, including a couple from point-blank range. He also appears to hate faceoffs, playing the puck whenever possible…including a few times that got a little iffy, haha. Regardless, he got away with it. Always keeping it interesting is Erik.
 

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. After giving up five OMRs on Friday, Michigan gave up two more in the first period on Saturday. While the first 3v2 was not overly threatening, Erik Portillo had to make a good save on the next 2v1. Portillo backed that up making saves on three of the final four OMRs…including denying a breakaway as time expired to preserve his shutout. Not great from the Wolverines in transition for the second night in a row, but when Erik Portillo is in net…maybe it’s also not the worst.

Michigan did manage to get out in transition themselves, getting four chances. None of the four were played super well-played, though. Samoskevich did get a shot off on one 3v2, but it went wide.

Jubilation…and despair (James Coller)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Michigan has really grown up over the year. They’ve fixed issues from earlier in the year, and have started to feel comfortable winning in different ways. It looked like they were going to get some help from Penn State, but that was short-lived. So, they just took care of business themselves. Not only did they keep control of their own destiny in the Big Ten and in Pairwise, they also pummeled their rivals, backing up the football team’s performance just a few months ago. This will not be Michigan’s last game at Yost, but they sure played like it was. Next week: At Notre Dame, 7:30pm on Friday, and 6pm on Saturday. Both games are on Peacock.