OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan fell in an early hole and clawed their way back, tying the game at two. They even took brief leads of 3-2 and 4-3. Bordeleau and Brisson gave the Wolverines a chance, late, but Lambert hit the post…which would have made the game 7-6 with a couple minutes left. The Wolverines spent too much time in the penalty box to put up their usual possession and shot stats, but they made they chances count, tonight. Michigan scored four even strength goals (five total), and they nearly got doubled up. This debacle was not on the offensive output at all.

DEFENSE

Analysis: Ugh. This game has been coming for about three games, now. Strauss Mann has bailed Michigan’s collective defense out, but tonight was too much. We’ve noted how Michigan can be loose with the puck in their own zone and, they can be moved off the puck with ease. Tonight, against a buzzing Penn State attack, they just got spun in circles and pretty much just stopped moving. Almost every one of these defensemen is fine an individual situation, but the team defense as a whole is like window dressing. On top of that, skaters are not physically intimidating at all. Penn State carved and pulled Michigan in any and every direction. Essentially goals 2-6 were scored from an unbothered attacker. Granted, a few of those were on the power play…but at times, it looked like even strength was a power play. The lack of physicality and aggressiveness in their own zone has finally caught up to the speed, skill, and goal-scoring. Michigan can certainly outskate teams, but unless they learn how to defend in their own end (and bring a high level of energy on defense), games like tonight won’t completely go away.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan had one real power play opportunity and took advantage of it big time. Lots of crisp puck movement lead to numerous chances before Nick Blankenburg buried his second goal of the game, tying the game at two…at the time. That was it. There were a handful of other…plays…that could have been called  in favor of the Wolverines, but they were not to be, tonight.

Penn State came into this series with power play scoring percentage of 7%. They went 4/6 and the Wolverines were lucky it wasn’t more. Granted, the Lions moved the puck well and hit the net when they had chances, but Michigan’s effort on the Kill left something to be desired. Like their even strength defense, shooters were left open and unchecked. The Wolverines were not able to shut down the high danger areas, and the Lions passed and skated through them like they were stationary. Also, they took way too many penalties…especially in a game where staying at even strength could have given them a chance. They did however kill a major penalty very early after Nolan Moyle finally got ejected for an ill-advised hit. That kill kept Michigan in the game for the first period.

There’s too much water in this thing! [Bill Rapai]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started again to no one’s surprise. Half a minute into the game, he let in maybe the worst goal of his career? Talvitie shot from almost the goal line and the puck went short side over Mann’s shoulder. Not great, but an apropos start for this game. After that, he made a number of saves to keep Michigan close…before the wheels exploded off and the goals were pouring into the net. I think he might have been able to do something about…one of them, maybe? After the sixth, Michigan decided to go with freshman Erik Portillo. While he also made a handful of big saves, poor play around him lead to three shots beating him, as well. It was not the best performance from the netminders, obviously, but they were extremely handicapped based on where the shots were coming from and how open the shooters were.

ODD MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan generated a couple of OMRs, tonight. Some good vision and touch passing got Cam York open down the slot as the fourth guy in on a 4v3. That temporarily gave Michigan a 4-3 lead! What! Eric Ciccolini lost the puck skating in on a 2v1.
Penn State created two OMRs. One resulted in a shot wide of the net and their 4v2 ended with a huge save by Mann. Mike Pasta went to the box after that chance…which unsurprisingly led to a goal.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: No Data Available…at the time of publishing.