Michigan Hockey 17-18, Game #19: Notre Dame 2, Michigan 1

Cale Morris must have had his kale, today (James Coller)

OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan was down two of their top-six forwards tonight, but you couldn’t exactly tell. They were able to control the puck for the last 50+ minutes of the game and create chances all over the ice. Calderone scored the lone even-strength goal of the game on a power move that somehow caught Morris off of his near post, and the puck trickled between him and said post. Notre Dame entered the game with a elite defense and arguably the best goaltending in college hockey and the latter is what saved them. I thought Michigan was able to beat the Irish defense with enough consistency to score multiple goals. However, Cale Morris was just as good as advertised (with the help of one large post) and stole Michigan’s pot of gold in the end. Michigan didn’t overwhelm from the house area, but multiple lines were able to generate chances, and that is definitely something to build on for the Wolverines. 

[After THE JUMP: quantifying a great defensive effort]

DEFENSE

Analysis: This is my takeaway. I thought Michigan’s defense was very, very good. They did have a few lapses-especially early-but that unit seemed to grow stronger as the game progressed. The Wolverines mostly kept the Irish out of the house and forced long-range shots. They also did not have many ugly DZTOs. If they play this kind of defense against the rest of the league, Michigan should win more than their share of games.

Calderone provided the lone Wolverine goal on a power move to the net (James Coller)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Special teams did not factor into this game at all…except for when they did. There were three total penalties and Notre Dame cashed both of their opportunities. The first was the third shot in the sequence after Lavigne made the first two stops. Michigan missed a clear after a shot, got out of shape and the scramble led to the goal. The second goal was a set play that saw Malmquist fake skating behind the net, drop a pass to the wing and Oglevie snipe his shot past a deked Lavigne. My Hockey Guy says it could be scouted and prepped for, but that was well executed and probably deserved a goal.

Michigan had a productive lone power play opportunity. They held the zone for 1:50 of the 2:00, fired six attempts on net, forcing three saves, and were probably unlucky to score. Unfortunately, Michigan would not see another man advantage chance.

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Hayden Lavigne started in net and played very well. As stated previously, the only two shots to beat him were on the power play. I thought Lavigne’s reactions were crisp, he moved well, and he controlled his rebounds, leaving very few second and third put-back opportunities. It’s arguable that he could have not been fooled by the second goal and stayed on his previous post, but that would have been a fantastic move. Those goals are going to happen. After the first period flurry, it was mostly a quiet night in the Michigan crease. His defense definitely did their part, but Lavigne  stood tall when called upon. I expect him to start in South Bend on Sunday.

James Sanchez look spry on offense tonight (James Coller)

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan gave up two OMRs through the first 55 minutes of the game. Neither were very dangerous and the first one was a 4v2 (which is rather uncommon). The last two OMRs came when Michigan was pressing and trying to tie the game. I don’t care about those. At some point, you have to bring the kitchen sink to tie the game. So, I look at this as two real OMRs, and I am fine with that…especially considering how these were trending a month ago. Brian mentioned that I should perhaps track Michigan’s offensive OMRs as well. I may try that next time, as they garnered close to a half dozen tonight, if memory serves correctly.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 61(17), Notre Dame 49(16)

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 61, Notre Dame 47