OFFENSE

• Analysis: Michigan played an even period in the first. They got their only even-strength tally in the second on a double tip by Hayhurst and Beecher off of a great diagonal from Luke Martin. After that, they did not generate much offense at all. Once Nick Pasta added another power-play tally at the end of the second, the game was all but decided, and the Wolverines didn’t take any chances. Actually, there’s an argument that they started getting conservative after gaining a 1-0 advantage. It wasn’t the worst strategy given the Spartans struggle to score--and given the existence of Strauss Mann. Not the best even-strength production from the Wolverines tonight, but it was the correct strategy given the situation.

[After THE JUMP: more on where the offense came from tonight, plus how Michigan kept MSU off the board]

DEFENSE

• Analysis: By the numbers, the Wolverines defense was more than acceptable. Really, they were very solid. Getting the lead is key for this team, and that happened again tonight. The Spartans never really threatened until it was 2-0, and the Wolverines mostly went into Lockdown Mode. For the last half of the second period and the first five minutes of the third, Michigan struggled in their own end. Their clears got sloppy, and the Spartans turned up the pressure. Part of that was their conservative approach. Part was the scoreboard, for sure; however, it was 2-0 and the Spartans got a few open looks at Mann but couldn’t convert. After that stretch, though, it was curtains for the Green and White offense.

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Lethemon gives up a meatball to Nick Pastujov [Scott]

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Analysis: As I predicted, Michigan wanted to keep this game at even strength. WHOOPS. The Wolverine power play scored plural goals, one filthy pass from Lockwood to Slaker on a 5v3 and one awful protractor goal surrendered by Not Mann, I mean, Lethemon. Michigan also moved the puck well and generated plenty of other dangerous chances.  It was a great night on the man advantage for the Wolverines. 
• Michigan took too many penalties but did a great job killing them. It wasn’t until their fourth opportunity that the Spartans really threatened. Mann was great, pucks got cleared, and the Spartans missed a few chances. Tomorrow, stay out of the box.

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Even screens didn’t help against Mann tonight [Scott]

GOALTENDING

• Analysis: We talked about Strauss Mann being the Big Ten MVP in the HockeyCast this week, and he backed up that claim tonight. While he didn’t have as much to do in the first and most of the third periods, things got a little hairy for 15-20 minutes in between. Mann’s positioning was phenomenal. He topped off his performance with a Patrick Roy Statue of Liberty glove wave on a Grade-A chance by Patrick Khodorenko. He wasn’t going to be beaten after that. He tracks the puck so well, stays in the right places, and controls anything and everything around him. When he adds elite saves to that, forget it.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

• Analysis: Jacob Hayhurst had a breakaway early in the third period, but Lethemon made a big save, keeping State in the game. That would be the total of OMRs in the game. That’s huge for the Wolverines. The Spartans struggle to score, and transition can be a key igniter for a slow engine. The Wolverines Michigan State’d the Spartans tonight.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan State 35(13), Michigan 26(6)

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan State 34, Michigan 28