Michigan Hockey ‘17-18, Game #34: Michigan 5, Arizona State 3

Thank you, seniors [Marc-Gregor Campredon]

OFFENSE

Analysis:  Once again, Michigan does a great job generating plenty of offense, albeit against a weak defensive team. They overpowered the Ice Devils early and often, getting in to the House and slot with relative ease. That continued through the first half of the game or so. Then, like last night, penalties and some coasting took over, and the game started to tighten up. The Wolverines were able to mostly finish this one off comfortably, though. Cooper Marody opened the scoring with a great drive down the left boards, deking Daccord and filling the net. Winborg lead a 2v1, was given the shot, and buried it. Tony Calderone also had an even strength goal on his breakaway. Going into the season-defining weekends, it will be huge to have Calderone scoring. He’s Michigan’s leading goal scorer, and they will need him once they start facing more top end defenses.

[More after THE JUMP]

DEFENSE

Analysis: Again, by the numbers, the Wolverines didn’t have a poor game defensively, although 18 House attempts is a little concerning. Like last night, they had a few poor clearances and giveaways that allowed for some good looks for the Ice Devils. Similarly, while the game was tight, ASU couldn’t do a whole lot…but as the lead stretched out, Michigan got a little lax defensively. This weekend they got away with it, but there are tough teams upcoming that will require a finishing effort. One of the keys I talked about in my preview on Friday was ‘Burying This Team.’ Michigan definitely beat them…but they also let them hang around longer than anyone was comfortable with.

*One item of note: Nick Boka got hurt very early and never returned to the bench.

This seems sub-optimal [Campredon]

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan again took a lot of penalties, especially against a team that does not generate much even-strength offense. They did kill four of the five Ice Devil power plays –and a 5v3- but they let Johnny Walker get off some missiles. That dude can shoot the puck. Props on the 5v3 kill, but they still looked super passive and gave up too many chances. Also, 80% kill rate is not outstanding. Stay out of the box.

On the other hand, Michigan was more effective on the man advantage. They had a ton of chances, which wasn’t a surprise. Calderone buried one off of a nice feed from Marody. Piazza also drained a shot from the point to give Michigan a two-goal lead early in the first period. The Wolverines also looked dangerous on another couple power plays. They moved the puck well and generated shots from the House and got Daccord to go side-to-side. Much better from a maligned power-play unit.

Hayden Lavigne was Hayden Lavigne. #analysis [Campredon]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Hayden Lavigne was in net once again and did not have much to do until the second period. Once again, he played good, not great. His defense gave him a lot more action in the final couple of periods. He made plenty of saves, but had his traditional woof goal. This one was a wraparound to his left side that he was late getting across…with his pad off of the ice. He mixed in a few bobbles and drops, as well. I feel like I write the same thing every game for him, but every game seems like a carbon copy. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if he gets some offensive support. He definitely did tonight.

Calderone made his OMR count, tonight [Campredon]

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan ended up giving up four OMRs tonight. None of them were particularly dangerous as the Ice Devils took distance shots on a couple of 4v2s. Lavigne had to make one save, I believe. Still, that’s a few OMRs against a team that does not generate a lot of offense.

On the flip side, Michigan generated five OMRs– including four in the first period- tonight. Their last two, however, were cashed in for goals. Winborg led a 2v1, eschewed the pass and hit the bottom corner. In the third, Tony Calderone had his second breakaway of the series, but this time he finished it.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 45(24), Arizona State 37(18)

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 46, Arizona State 36