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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan cruised to a 4-1 lead courtesy of an Adam Fantilli hat trick in 6:48 of actual game time. Their defense then started to crumble around them allowing Wisconsin to tie the game in the early third period. It got pretty dicey for a while until Frank Nazar hit a slicing Nolan Moyle who roofed the game-winner over Jared Moe with just over two minutes to play. Michigan would add a couple more to send the Badgers into the offseason and set up a semi-final at Yost next Saturday night.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-While it came in different spurts for each team, it was a pretty even game, overall. Michigan controlled a lot of play in the first period and built up a lead. Wisconsin responded with good stretches in the second period, clawing their way back into the game. In the end, Michigan just got great individual efforts from Frank Nazar, Nolan Moyle, and TJ Hughes.

-Adam Fantilli recorded a hat trick in 6:48 of game time across the first and second periods. Last night’s goals were definitely more impressive, though. His first went in off of Luke Lamaster. The second goal was a nice play, getting a stick on a bouncing puck in the low slot that slid inside the post near the end of the first period. Fantilli may want to thank Jared Moe for just fanning on his shot/dump in from the point just 31 seconds into the second period. Adam barely celebrated as he recognized that Moe gave him a bit of a gift on that one.

-Frank Nazar skated in his eighth game of the season on Friday night. He had a nice goal against MSU at LCA a few weeks ago. He also made a good zone entry that lead to an assist at the outdoor game against OSU two Saturdays ago. However, Nazar hasn’t quite been as visible as anticipated in the start to his season. Tonight, though, he made one helluva stick-lift and backhanded pass to set up Captain Moyle’s game-winner.

-What a goal and ending for the 5th year captain, Nolan Moyle.

Defense Notes.

-Michigan’s defense started pretty well in the first period (after the opening couple of minutes), but it deteriorated from there. They only allowed two shots in the first ten minutes or so, but after the first intermission…oof. Wisconsin got multiple OMRs and in-zone looks at Portillo in the middle frame. Mathieu De St Phalle scored two goals in and around the net with nary a hindrance. His shot was saved by Portillo, but Luke Hughes crashed into the Michigan goalie, jarring the puck free and into the net. MDSP also had a quick flip goal from right in tight to get the Badgers within 4-3 late in the second. Perhaps Portillo could have done better on the fourth goal, but neither Steve Holtz nor Jay Keranen bothered either Brock Caufield or Carson Bantle as they literally passed the puck through the crease along the goal line. Alex said that Michigan has only won two games in regulation when scoring three goals or less all season. Oof.

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Adam Fantilli scored on the first shot of the first power play of the evening for Michigan. It deflected off of Luke Lamaster and changed direction into the net. Michigan’s third power play was really, really good. Frank Nazar set up TJ Hughes on a great cross-ice pass, but Jared Moe snagged the one-timer. Moe also flashed the leather Patrick Roy style on Adam Fantilli from close range. Michigan may not have deserved to score on their first power play, but they probably should have on their third. Even Steven.

Penalty Kill. Ethan Edwards made a really nice play to steal the puck on Wisconsin’s first zone entry of their first power play. He then proceeded to clear the puck right to Corson Ceulemans at the blue line. A tic-tac-toe sequence later and Cruz Lucius was hitting an open net. That was it for Michigan’s penalty kill woes, though. They killed three and a half straight minutes of power play time –including a short 5x3- with relative ease in the second period. After the last few games, that was a solid stretch for them to hang their hats on.

Definitely not all Portillo’s fault, but that’s a lot of pucks in the net (Grace Beal)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Another weird night for Erik Portillo. It really feels like I could just copy and paste last night’s assessment. He gave up goals, but I’m not convinced there was a lot on him. It would have been nice if he could have held onto the puck on the second goal, but he made the save and got run into by Luke Hughes, jarring the puck free and into the net. Perhaps he could have played the third goal better, but it was a loose puck outside the crease and no one got a body or stick on Mathieu De St. Phalle. Portillo came out to challenge the fourth goal, but the shot went wide, ricocheted off the end boards, and was passed through the crease behind him with no hindrance from any defenseman. It’s probably not great from Portillo, but give the man some help. He did make quite a few great saves. Erik had a lunging kick save on an open shooter on the doorstep very early in the first. He also found the puck and covered it pretty well throughout the game…something he had struggled with throughout the year. He also hasn’t dropped his stick –or a puck out of his glove- in a few games now. Hopefully, those issues are behind him.

TJ Hughes breakaway finish sealed the game (Grace Beal)

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. After starting off well, Michigan began hemorrhaging OMRs in the second period. Fortunately for them, Wisconsin could not take advantage of their 2v1, shooting high and missing their cross pass. Erik Portillo shut down both Badger breakaways to bail out his teammates, giving them a chance to tally a late winner.

Before his eventual winner, Nolan Moyle got a shorthanded breakaway. He made a nifty move, but Jared Moe saved it. Mark Estapa rushed in for the rebound but whipped his chance wide. TJ Hughes sailed in alone late in the game, went forehand-backhand and sealed the game for Michigan, giving them a 6-4 lead with over a minute to play. Yost was electric.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Well…the process was not what was desired, but the results are preferred. Michigan still is having trouble shutting down measly offenses. Playing firewagon hockey may work against Penn State and Wisconsin, but when they have to face Minnesota State, Northeastern, or Notre Dame (maybe next weekend), they struggle to win low scoring games. Unfortunately, it’s hard to win multiple games in a row against good defenses and goalies doing that. Regardless of the who they play, next Saturday will be their first test. It will be at Yost arena, though. Sunday afternoon will see PSU/OSU play their Game 3 at 5pm on BTN+. MSU/ND will play at 6pm on FS2. Loser goes home.