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

 

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

	Total Attempts	Even Strength	Power Play	Close (within 1)	Even Strength %
American International	53	47	6	5	44%
Michigan	65	59	6	15	56%

Forward Notes.

-Alex described this as a 60 Minute Power Play for Michigan. While that was clearly an enjoyable use of hyperbole, it was not that far from the truth. Michigan swatted the Yellow Jackets early and often, getting out to a plural goal lead in under five minutes. The crazy thing is that they had multiple more Grade A chances that could easily have gone in, including a couple of rings of the iron. Michigan would score, get bored, give up a goal, score more, get bored, and give up another goal. Then, they would score more. AIC had FIVE attempts on net when this was defined as a close game. While there are nits to be picked, Michigan had a multiple goal lead for 47:33 of this game. 

-Brendan Brisson was the best player on the ice on Friday afternoon. He's been known for his great shot all season and it was no different against AIC. Power dropped the puck to him BELOW the dot and his just buried it from a tough angle. Beyond that, his passing was #eyeballemoji. He made multiple unbelievable passes putting teammates into scoring positions. 

-One of the more telling takeaways from this game was the offensive chance creation from the fourth line. Garrett Van Whye and Nolan Moyle got a handful of very good chances in the first period, alone. GVW was able to bury his first good look to give the Wolverines an early lead. Moyle had a chance even earlier, cutting his way to the net. Nolan also got in tight with the puck several more times, drawing the penalty that would lead to Michigan's power play goal. The fact that Michigan's "Grinder" line was able to create offense as well as their skill lines only reinforces the skill differential between the two teams in this game.

 

Ethan Edwards finished a filthy Brendan Brisson pass(David Wilcomes)

Defense Notes.

-Michigan got out to multiple goals leads in the first and second periods...and then they got a bit sloppy. Defensemen would cycle deep in the zone or walk down the slot. It burned them a couple of times, but it was after plural goal leads. That was just the nature of this game. It's what a #1 vs #16 should be. Michigan wants to skate and move and shoot. I'm not worried about "Bored Turnovers" on Sunday.

-Luke Hughes was just a fun watch on Friday afternoon. While he didn't score, he shook guys at the blue line, walked in for great looks, and couple have easily had a goal or two. He rang the bar, once. Hughes created the first goal for Garrett Van Whye by toasting his man and getting the puck into the slot. This was always going to be a great game for him to showcase, and he capitalized on it. 

-Ethan Edwards finally got his Walk-In goal. Brisson made a sick diagonal pass from behind the net and Edwards walked down the slot and beat Calvaruso. 

 

Brendan Brisson was raiding Yellow Jackets all game (David Wilcomes)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

	PP Opportunities	PP Corsi For	PP Shots/Minute
American International	1/3	6	4/4
Michigan	1/2	6	3/2

Power Play. Owen Power made a slick pass from the point to below the dot and Brendan Brisson just SNIPED a laser from the sharp angle. Alex noted on Twitter that Alec Calvaruso probably had not seen many shots of that caliber in Atlantic Hockey. I will say I haven't seen many shots like that this entire season. What a pinpoint goal from Brisson!

Penalty Kill. Michigan took a couple of penalties within a minute, giving the Yellow Jackets a 5x3 for a bit, followed by more 5x4. AIC was able to generate very little in either position. Late in the game, Van Whye took a penalty, and the Wolverines responded with a very lazy Kill. Three guys went into the corner with two Yellow Jackets. If that happens, winning the puck is a must. They didn't and Blake Bennett was left alone in front. Not great.

 

Erik Portillo was good enough when he needed to be (David Wilcomes)

GOALTENDING CHART

	Michigan Shots Faced (House)	American International Shots Faced (House)
First Period	7 (7)	13 (8)
Second Period	12	13
Third Period	12	5
Overtime	n/a	n/a
TOTAL	31	31

Notes. Erik Portillo did not have a whole lot to do for the first ten minutes. He was called into action, shutting down back-to-back OMR rushes, though...both pad saves. The Yellow Jackets finally beat him on a friendly bounce after a scrum in front. The one thing that he noticeably struggled with is his recovery rate. After extending himself for a save, if the puck isn't covered or cleared, it takes him quite a while to get back into ready position. That was the case on the first AIC goal. The second goal went five hole on an OMR, though. Sure, a save would be awesome, but it's a do-or-die play. It happens. Portillo had no chance on the power play goal, being hung out to dry as three killers went to the corner and he faced Blake Bennett alone. While this wasn't Portillo's Vezina Game, he played well enough when called upon. He was the victim of Michigan's lackadaisical attitude when up multiple goals. 

 

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Defense	Rushes	Advs	Escape%	Offense	Rushes	Advs	Scoring%
1st Period	2	1v0, 2v1	100%		n/a	n/a	n/a
2nd Period	1	2v1	0%		n/a	n/a	n/a
3rd Period	n/a	n/a	n/a		1	2v1	100%
OT	n/a	n/a	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a
Total	3	1v0, 2v1 x2	67%		1	2v1	0%

Notes. One of the biggest ways that AIC was going to hang in this game was getting chances in transition after Michigan overcommitted in the offensive zone and turned the puck over. Well...the Yellow Jackets got their chances. Portillo shut down a breakaway and a 2v1 in the first period, but a 2v1 in the second period finally came back to bite the Wolverines. A silly NZTO lead to a rush that Justin Young was able to slide Five Hole on Portillo. 

Michigan had one golden chance in transition. Mackie Samoskevich and Johnny Beecher had a 2v1, but Samoskevich was unlucky ringing the crossbar. AIC was very good all game, keeping Michigan's speed out of the transition game...which was obviously Priority #1 of their gameplan.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

While there will be alarmists worrying about losing focus or giving up too many goals or taking penalties -and there are bits of merit to it- the truth is Michigan dominated this game from puck drop. They were in control the entire time and not for one second did it look like they were in any danger of losing. Michigan flashed what they needed when they needed it, and that's honestly a lot of what it takes in Elimination Hockey. Their goal wasn't and still isn't winning today. It's also winning on Sunday. That game will be the judge of success on the weekend. One down. One to go.