Moyle's Knife

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

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Catch Up: Michigan mostly laid back and tried not to get into a firefight with Denver. The Pioneers kill with speed and stretch passes...something that Michigan has been vulnerable to when they get aggressive. Instead, it was a lower event game that came down to a couple of bounces and one bad DZTO. Erik Portillo saved what was trending to be a poor game after the first period and turned it into a solid performance. Sucks for Jimmy Lambert losing that puck in his own zone at the end. He's been a rock defensively in his career.

Forward Notes.

-The Hero Line was not very noticeable until overtime. Usually they are at a huge talent advantage when they are on the ice. That was not the case, on Thursday evening, though. They played well in their own zone, especially Matty Beniers. In overtime, I thought they pressed the issue more and got some good looks at getting a winner. I just wish the plan would have been to be more aggressive earlier.

-Michigan's best line all night was their third line. Mackie Samoskevich was very explosive, creating chances flying into the zone. Johnny Beecher was very good, setting up Samo on a number of his looks. Dylan Duke chipped in nicely, as well. That line will be really fun...next year, unfortunately.

-Thomas Bordeleau might have been Michigan's best player on the ice. He's just a wizard with the puck. Not only did he make great passes to move the puck, but he put guys in positions all night. Then, when the Wolverines were down in the third, he collected a loose puck on a rush and sweetly finished a tight chance to tie the game. IF this is his last game in the Maize and Blue, he's been great fun to watch.

-Again, the Blue Collar line scored! Nolan Moyle stabbed a puck deflecting off of a referee and cut a sharp pass to Jimmy Lambert in front who finished to tie the game at 1, early in the second period. After not filling the net much all year, it was enjoyable to see the fourth line contribute six goals in three NCAA Tournament games.

-Give props to Denver. They are a very good team. They played really well in their own zone, back-checking, blocking shots, and not giving away many Grade A chances. Michigan had to earn everything it got offensively. 

[Heartbreak after THE JUMP]

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

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-That was bonkers. Michigan coaxed Quinnipiac into a frenetic pace in the first period, turning Allentown, Pennsylvania into a Wild West Shootout. There were 28 evenly divided shots in the opening frame, alone. The difference was that Michigan was able to finish a couple of their early chances...albeit not their best ones. The worry coming into the game was that we'd be in for a 30 shot total slugfest that one team would win on a coin-flip bounce. While that did come into play during the second and early third period, it was mostly too late for Turtle/Siege Hockey at that point. Michigan won the game at 5v5 and on Special Teams before they almost gave it away...and had to win it again. 

-The Fourth Line. We talked all year about Michigan's speed and skill, draft picks and NHL talent. On Sunday night, near the famous Bethlehem Steel mill, it was Michigan's Blue Collar dudes getting it done. Nolan Moyle crashed the net 33 seconds into the game and put Michigan out front. Jimmy Lambert beat his man to the crease to finish Luke Hughes gorgeous move and pass. Garrett Van Whye outskated and outworked a Bobcat defenseman and then Yaniv Perets to tally a shorty right before the end of the second period. On a team with eight drafted forwards, the Blue Collar line ground out four of the team's seven goals. If the Wolverines are going to get depth scoring like this, they'll be tough to beat in Boston.

-One thing to be discussed more on the HockeyCast is the early goalie-pull by Quinnipiac with almost four minutes left. Alex thought it was a bit early. I was fine with it. The Bobcats were holding a decided advantage in ice position. They had scored three in just seven minutes. Analytics are on the side of pulling early...shoot your shot. It didn't work out, but I don't blame Rand Pecknold and his staff. They were trying to capitalize on a reeling defense and team psyche. In the end it took a nice play from Thomas Bordeleau to intercept a pass. Very nice for fifth year senior Mike Pastujov to get the empty-netter than sent his Wolverines back to the Frozen Four.

[CELEBRATIONS after THE JUMP]