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

What just happened (TL;DR): Michigan slogged through 30 minutes against the Lions with just a 2-1 lead. They then poured in four goals in eight minutes. In the third, the Wolverines added three more to pile onto the blowout. Jackson Hallum lead the Maize and Blue with two goals. TJ Hughes, Dylan Duke, and Garrett Schifsky all had three points. Another 6 (!) Wolverines had two points a piece. It was Point Night at Yost.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-To very few people’s surprise, this was an absolute beatdown. Michigan’s controlled the puck, shot share, and most of the dangerous chances. 87-34 at even strength is quite something. That is what a team like Michigan should do against overmatched Lindenwood.

-Michigan’s second goal was very well-worked by the Wolverines newly formed top line. Rutger McGroarty when high to low for Gavin Brindley, who fired a cross-slot pass to a waiting Dylan Duke. Duke tapped in the finish from a place on the ice he constantly finds himself, just outside the crease. Playing Brindley and McGroarty together has gone really well this season. Duke’s game is rounding out nicely, and as long as Brindley can handle the center responsibilities, this line fits together quite well.

-Jackson Hallum opened some eyes on Michigan’s fifth goal of the evening. He burst into the zone, toe dragged a defenseman, then blistered a shot five hole through Trent Burnham. The speed has always been there, and now he’s started to show more and more skill. That was the most impressive play of the night for me. Hallum also added another goal on a shot from outside the dot on a rush down the wing. He did pick a corner, but Burnham played that pretty poorly. Those were Jackson’s first two goals of the season.

-TJ Hughes added a goal and an assist in the third period. Josh Eernisse did the same. Both of their assists were probably a more impressive than their goals. Each was a sweet little backhand right to the tape of the shooter. Michigan looks like they have a lot of dudes.

Luca Fantilli with a couple of points (Bill Rapai)

Defense Notes.

-Michigan’s defense struggled with Lindenwood’s size and physicality a little bit in the first half of the game. There were stretches in the first and early second periods where they got stuck in their zone, unable to break the puck out. Peter kept talking about it being good Michigan was challenged a little physically. Once the goals started flowing the pressure was reduced, but this will be something to keep an eye on tomorrow night.

-Some of those struggles came from Jacob Truscott and Marshall Warren. Perhaps we’ll discuss on the HockeyCast if they can/should continue to play together or if Michigan keeps to get a puck-mover on each pair, like they did last season. Despite having some rough times, Warren did score his first goal as a Wolverine, lengthening Michigan’s lead to 3-1. Congrats to him.

-Luca Fantilli, who’s probably played more than most people thought he would a couple of months ago, scored his first goal of the year. He put a dman in the spin cycle (a la Sam Girard), broke down the wing to the net, and flipped the puck off of a different defender and into the net. Not the best goal, but it’s nice to see Luca get on the board. He also fired a shot from straightaway that Josh Eernisse deflected past backup goalie Matthew Syverson. Fun night for Luca.

-Seamus Casey just keeps piling up points, adding another goal and assist on Friday night. He has eleven in seven games.

Gavin Brindley tallied for Michigan on the man advanatge (Patrick Barron)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. There are a few things to note. First, Jacob Truscott’s stick broke when he took an ill-advised shot. He was stuck going back without a stick, leading to Lindenwood’s only goal, shorthanded. He was unlucky on the stick break, but I didn’t like the shot decision. Alex texted and said he was really happy that the kneeing penalty was called a major. I don’t disagree. Those penalties look really dangerous. Michigan actually scored twice on their All You Can Eat power play, but one was waived off after Philippe Lapointe tripped over a loose stick and kicked goalie Trent Burnham in the mask with his skate! Gavin Brindley finished a scramble in front after Dylan Duke and TJ Hughes won position battles and created a couple of looks. Brindley added the backdoor tap-in.

Penalty Kill. Mark Estapa took Michigan’s only penalty –a completely terrible call for the record. However, it came during a couple of different Michigan power plays, so the Wolverines were never on the penalty kill all evening. Hooray! Do that again tomorrow!

Noah West got a rare night in net and made the most of it (David Wilcomes)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. Brandon Naurato started Noah West in net on Friday night. Great decision. It’s clearly Jake Barczewski’s net, but getting your guy a game here and there –especially this weekend- is a good play. West didn’t have a ton to do, but made a couple of very nice while the game was still tight, early in the first. Peter and I debated if he could have played the Lindenwood OMR goal a little better. Truscott looked to take away the pass, but West didn’t come out to challenge Sterzer when he was on his backhand and got roofed. Eh, whatever. There’s not a lot else to say about his night. Good to see him get a game.

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. After a some games with few OMRs, the first period was a bit busier. Jacob Truscott broke his stick after shooting into a defender from straightaway. He got stuck back against a 2v1 without his stick. Caige Sterzer drove all of the way to the net and roofed a sweet backhand over Noah West to finish the OMR. The Lions added one later, another 2v1, but Noah West ate it up.

Michigan created a couple of chances in transition, both of the 2v1 variety. Dylan Duke tipped a pass just wide and Josh Eernisse couldn’t corral a Frank Nazar dish. Both were decent chances.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In a season where the college hockey elites are dropping games across the nation, winning a game against a worse team in not to be taken for granted. Yes, this is what needed to happen at Yost on Friday evening, but it did. That’s a good thing. If you’re getting tired of Michigan Football blowouts, maybe you’re taking things for granted. Michigan Hockey checked their box tonight. Tomorrow night is not optional, either. This series needs to be a sweep. We’ll see at 7pm on BTN-.