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

What just happened (TL;DR): After a back and forth first period, Michigan took control of the game in the second, scoring twice to build a two goal lead. They give up a power play goal late in the period, then steady the ship for most of the third period. After taking a third penalty – and almost killing it off- a cross-ice one-timer ties the game…followed by a sleepy shift where Owen Lindmark can walk right in on Jake Barczewski and win the game. Barczewski was okay, not great; the penalty kill was bad. Once again, the Wolverines did almost enough…but blow their third third period lead of the young season.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-As the number above state, Michigan generally outplayed Wisconsin at full strength. They only allowed six shots in the first period (maybe too many dangerous chances, though). They generally limited everything the Badgers did in the second period. Then locked down the third until the late penalty…and the ensuing shift. They did a lot, but I guess just not quite enough.

-Frank Nazar was awesome. Not only did he finish a sweet rebound goal on a 2v1, but he won a puck battle behind the net to feed Garret Schifsky. He and Schifsky were tremendous all night getting out in transition. Nazar also had that huge chance on the breakaway that would have been massive. Playing as the 2C has been great for him, and he’s building chemistry with Schifsky.

-The man who is allowing Nazar to play 2C is the 1C…Gavin Brindley. He definitely looks like he’s taking The Leap. Brindley sniped two goals, on Friday night, picking a corner on the first and sneaking one inside the post (behind a tremendous Dylan Duke screen) on the second. While there were initial concerns of if this team could score…those have all but been eroded.

-Jackson Hallum looked to take a big hit in the second period…and did not return…at least to my eyes. Hopefully, he’s okay. He’s been great so far this season. With injuries at the back starting to mount, staying healthy at forward becomes an even bigger deal.

Defense Notes.

-Josh Orrico played in place of Luca Fantilli. He had a rough go in the first period, getting beat down the slot for Wisconsin’s first goal on a centering pass from the boards. He also had some bobbles on his next couple shifts. After that, I honestly don’t remember seeing him. If he played it was not very much. Michigan is in quite a position from where they were a few months ago with defensemen. Luca not playing is a huge deal. After a bit, Michigan decided just icing five guys at the back was the way to go.

-After a rough first period, Michigan’s defense improved. They didn’t give up tons of shots early on, but the chances were pretty dangerous. Steve Holtz vacated the net front to check a guy who had ghosted Kienan Draper. Owen Lindmark finished an easy chance in tight now that he was all alone. Holtz’s night would get better, but he’s had a couple of rough first periods.

-Tyler Duke had a slick drop pass to set up Gavin Brindley’s first goal; he also got beat up the boards on the game-winning goal. Marshall Warren also vacated the slot to go cover for Duke –and missed the pass break up on the way…Rutger McGroarty also did not backcheck Owen Lindmark, allowing him plenty of space to get the shot off…just a perfect storm all around.

-At times, it feels a little like last year when the defense was good…until it really, really wasn’t.

Too much pulling the puck out of your own net on the PK (Bill Rapai)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Michigan had one power play on the evening. It went poorly. They struggled to gain the zone for most of their advantage. In fact, after a DZTO, Wisconsin had a better chance to score than did the Wolverines. In the second period, Jackson Hallum was hit pretty hard, skating through the middle of his zone. He went down…and I don’t think he returned. There was some noise about contact to the head, but I never saw a replay. Michigan scored not too long after, so perhaps that influenced the lack of challenge. If it was contact to the head, it’s a pretty big miss by the officials.

Penalty Kill. Bad. On their first kill, Michigan was manipulated to one side of the ice, allowed a pass through to the opposite dman, and Cruz Lucius walked right down the slot and buried a shot bar down. Absolutely great chance. Up a goal, the Wolverines come really close to killing off the power play, when they allow a cross-slot pass to Simon Tassy, who one-times a blast past Jake Barczewski. Those are the type of saves that Erik Portillo used to be able to get to at times…that Jake Barczewski generally does not. That’s another 50% kill rate in a game for Michigan. They sit at 74% on the year. That needs to get better…and fast.

Goaltending photo caption (Bill Rapai)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. In Michigan’s biggest game to date, Jake Barczewski took to the crease. It was a tough game to rate him for me. There are clear errors by his teammates on every Wisconsin goal. All five were very good scoring chances. As Alex always says, though, “Sometimes, you just have to make a save.” It would have been beneficial for Michigan, if he could have even made just one of the ones he didn’t, but alas. I do think he struggles going cross-crease, though. Two of Wisconsin’s goals came on side-changing passes. It really seems like Michigan needs to their job in front of him, and when they do, he’s great. If he sees too many great chances, though…it can get rough.

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. Michigan only gave up one OMR (there were a couple of close ones I decided to reject), and Jake Barczewski made the save on the 2v1 after Tyler Duke and Seamus Casey were caught out of position.

Michigan did really well in transition. Frank Nazar had two chances on a breakaway, but couldn’t beat Kyle McClellen on either chance. He and Garrett Schifsky combined for two 2v1s, including one that resulted in an awesome rebound goal for Nazar, giving Michigan a 4-2 lead.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I mean…Michigan did a lot of good things on Friday night. They all but won the game…and then collapsed late, again. Is that a thing? I don’t know…but it happened a bit last year, and it’s happened a couple of times this year. Barczewski looks good, but he’s not Portillo. He needs good structure and play in front of him, and then he’ll finish it. If things go off the rails…I’m not sure how good he’ll be at playing Hero. The PK just needs to get better. It’s been a struggle for years, now…I’m sick of it. However, they have dudes. There are guys that change the game, guys that can skate with anyone, and they’ve basically scored on everyone. Do what you did tonight, tomorrow…but finish it. A split in all honesty is fine.