OFFENSE

Analysis: Any guesses what I am going to write? Michigan controls puck. Michigan takes shots. Michigan hits goalie or misses net completely. Merrimack was ranked 52nd in Pairwise coming into the game. They were –41 in goal differential. Michigan created chances and had guys in the slot and on the posts, but no one could finish their chances. Jake Slaker had a ridiculous snipe from outside the dot and Jack Summers had a bomb from the point that Vogler dropped off his own face and into the net. It is said that the NBA is a make-or-miss league; Michigan is missing its open-net opportunities.

DEFENSE

Analysis: Michigan’s defense was good, until they completely lost positioning early on (I believe it was the Cecconi/Blankenburg pairing) and allowed Kramer to streak down the center of the ice and in on a Not Breakaway. They did not force Strauss Mann into bailout saves, but clearing the zone and breaking the puck out were both sloppy all evening. The numbers were fine; the pick-six-like breakdowns were not.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan took a few penalties, but they didn’t give up much on the penalty kill. The goal came off of a loss on the boards to a guy alone in the slot. While that is a breakdown by a misplaced defender, I’m not faulting the penalty kill design or movement…aside from the guy who definitely left his position. Aside from that gaffe, Michigan didn’t really yield too much when they were down a man.

The Wolverines had one nice power play in the third period (similar to Saturday) where they generated a number of looks and got some shots on net. Other than that nice minute-plus stretch, there was very little of note. This was another spot where Hughes/Norris were noticeably absent.

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started in net tonight. He was fine. Both of the first two goals were due to poorly placed defenders and very wide open attackers. The first goal was a bit of a breakaway, but Kramer just outskated the Cecconi/Blankenburg pairing and in alone on Mann. The second was a lost puck on the boards that made its way into the slot to an unmarked Petti, who scored rather easily. The third goal was a nice shot that went upper 90s off of a faceoff. None of these can be blamed on a goalie.

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That is an open net. [Campredon]

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan gave up a 2v1 and a breakaway but neither materialized into a goal. There were a couple others that I almost counted but at the OMR progressed, there was no advantage.

Michigan generated a couple of 3v2s that did not do much. Cecconi also had a breakaway out of the penalty box. He missed the net. Of course.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 67, Merrimack 31

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 67, Merrimack 33