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.

-Michigan responded to the Notre Dame waxing a couple of weeks ago by outskating, outworking, and outbattling the Irish. Starting early, the Wolverines were winning the board battles which was giving them better offensive zone chances than in late February. Michigan backchecked well and fundamentally moved the puck through the neutral zone. That is the exact formula for beating a very defensively sound team. Then, their speed and skill took over.

-Mel Pearson brought back the Hero Line...after a less than stellar performance the last time they faced the Irish. Tonight, they were the best line on the ice, tallying both Wolverine goals. Matty Beniers and Brendan Brisson worked a great rush to get Beniers a smooth open net goal. After a strong pinch and hold from Jacob Truscott, Beniers fed Brisson who drifted into the slot and beat Matt Galajda inside the far post. The shot was tipped, but the chance was legit. If Michigan can keep this line together, it probably puts their lineup in the best position giving the opponent very different lines to have to defend. 

-The Beecher and Freshmen line was also very solid. Johnny Beecher continues to be one of the best players on the team in the second half of the season. The line didn't score, but they created chances all night. 

-Matthew Galajda was great again for Notre Dame. It took him most of the season to officially win the job, but he's been as advertised. Tonight, he stole multiple probable goals from the Wolverines, keeping the Irish around and giving them a chance up until the end.

Defense Notes.

- Michigan's overall defense turned in quite a performance on Saturday night. Notre Dame usually forces you to match them defensively and the Wolverines stepped up to the challenge. Other than a 5-10 minute stretch in the middle of the second period, where the Irish were able to get into the House and get some dangerous chances on Erik Portillo, Michigan mostly shut ND down and kept them to the perimeter. Michigan limited Notre Dame to only four shots in both the first and third periods.    

-While all of Michigan's defensemen played very well and stayed very fundamentally sound, Ethan Edwards popped a little bit again, getting forward and creating a couple of dangerous chances. He had one strong take, then got back to stick-lift a guy at the blue line and throw the puck back deep into the zone. He looked very positionally sound in his own end and dealt with Notre Dame's physicality very well...something he didn't do as well a couple of weeks ago.

-Jacob Truscott and Keaton Pehrson both had strong defensive games, pairing with the superstars Luke Hughes and Owen Power respectively. Truscott made the initial play, pinching, holding, and winning the puck battle on the boards that lead to the Brisson winner. Pehrson also supported Power very well and even jumped into the offensive zone at times. This defensive crew looks super deep at the moment.

No Penalty Kill Tonight (James Coller)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Michigan got a 5x3 for just over 90 seconds late in the first period. They set up in the X Formation, passing back and forth below the goalline. They created several good looks that Matthew Galajda saved. Brendan Brisson got the best look from his dot and drew the crossbar. The one knock would be that Michigan only skated with four attackers when they were allowed five. Alex said it went on for about 20 seconds...which is not great, ha. 

Penalty Kill. I've been doing Breakdowns for Michigan Hockey for seven years, and I don't remember not having to write up a PK section. I also don't think this was a fluke. Michigan skated very clean and didn't really put themselves in bad spots forcing any takedowns. 

Kick Save and a Beauty (James Coller)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Erik Portillo had one of his best performances of the season. While Michigan's defense around him was very solid for about 50+ minutes, when he was called upon to make a save, Erik responded timely. He made a big save on a 2v1 and followed it up with a huge kick save, getting to the post on a would-be open net. Notre Dame's goal off of a phenomenal pass from Adam Karashik, hitting Jack Adams right on the tape for a perfect redirect under the bar. That would be a tip of the cap. Strauss Mann was an awesome goalie for the Maize and Blue, but Erik Portillo has played as well as any goaltender in recent memory for the Wolverines.

Matty Beniers set up AND scored Michigan's transition goal (James Coller)

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. Michigan gave up a couple of 2v1s on Saturday. Erik Portillo came up huge on the first one with a great save and cover. Luke Hughes broke up the second one after Jacob Truscott was beaten down the boards...basically his only blemish of the evening. Portillo was able to corral and cover that one, as well.

Unlike a couple of weeks ago, Michigan got a plethora of chances in transition. Beniers and Brisson worked a give and go for the opening goal, beating Notre Dame into the offensive zone. That was as pretty a goal as Michigan has scored all season. They also had a couple other great chances, but didn't get shots off on a couple, despite being in very dangerous spots on the ice. Brisson also was wiiiiiiide open down the slot on a 4v3, but the puck hopped his stick. Unfortunate.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This was arguably Michigan's best game of the year...at least of the second half. They eviscerated a very good defensive team and shut them down. While the scoreboard doesn't reflect it, they advanced metrics do. If not for a great performance from Galajda, this could have been a blowout. They also did not surrender a power play. It took one of the better passes I've see this year to beat Portillo. Michigan also played with energy and emotion and skated like they were the best team in the country. When Michigan turns in this sort of performance, I'm not sure if anyone is beating them.