Michigan Hockey 17-18, Game #7: Michigan 7, Ferris State 2

Submitted by David on

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A strong third period breaks it open (Bill Rapai)

OFFENSE

 

Corsi

House

Possession %

First Period

22 9 54%

Second Period

16 8 47%

Third Period

20 13 61%

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

58 30 54%

Analysis: Michigan turned in some nice offensive numbers, tonight, including getting over half of their attempts from the House. This probably speaks more to Ferris State than to Michigan, though. Michigan did create a ton, but Ferris did not look very talented or capable of threatening Michigan’s offense at all. The Wolverines took advantage of who they played and cut the Bulldog defense wide open. Looking at the numbers coming into the game, however, that’s what a good offense needed to do. Check.

[Defense, special teams, and goaltending after THE JUMP]

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A little offense from the defenseman (Bill Rapai)

DEFENSE

 

Corsi

House

Possession %

First Period

19 10 46%

Second Period

18 8 53%

Third Period

13 9 39%

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

50 27 46%

Analysis: The defense, however, got pretty sloppy. Both Bulldog goals came after inexplicable Wolverine gaffes. There were also numerous opportunities where a Ferris skater walked right down the slot untouched. Misses and great saves kept the scoreboard from being much closer. If that’s a Gopher or a Badger, those are probably goals. Ferris came in being absolutely dominated by Bemidji in a two game series, but they threw a ton of pucks at LaFontaine tonight. Good on them for taking advantage of a sloppy Wolverine defense. Last weekend’s barrages were to be expected…but a 47(25) from Ferris is a little disconcerting. Michigan has another chance to clean up some defensive issues tomorrow night.

SPECIAL TEAMS

 

PP For

PP Against

PP Corsi For

PP Corsi Against

PP Shots/Min For

PP Shots/Min Against

First Period

2/2 1/1 4 1 1.5 (2 mins) 1 (1 min)

Second Period

0/2 0/1 5 3 .75 n/a

Third Period

0/3 0/1 11 3 1.5 .5

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

2/7 1/3 20 7 1.25 .66

Analysis: Michigan started hot, scoring on their first two power plays. They did not finish their last five opportunities, but I would argue that those looked more dangerous. They moved the puck very well at times. After setting up in what I’m going to call the Star (a guy on each post and a triangle at the top), they used skip passes very well, crossing the slot well and finding open shooters. I was a little skeptical at first, but they had some great looks. I’d still like to see the 1-3-1 a little, as well, but the way they can get the puck from side to side…this could work nicely. On the penalty kill, they were fine. There was the time Boka got his skate caught and took himself out of the play, sliding into the corner, leading to the Ferris power play goal. Woof on that. However, that’s an isolated misstep. Unfortunate but I can’t blame the PK.

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JLF always seems to be Michigan’s best player on the ice (Bill Rapai)

GOALTENDING

 

Shots Faced

Shots from House Faced

First Period

9 5

Second Period

11 6

Third Period

10 5

Overtime

n/a n/a

TOTAL

30 16

Analysis: Jack LaFonataine started in net and played very well.  Better than I hoped he would have to play. Both goals were terrible defensive-zone giveaways leaving him essentially facing a breakaway each time. He also faced a handful of other Grade A chances and denied some, while others missed wide. Thirty shots is a lot from a team that didn’t have thirty attempts in either game last weekend. I feel like I type this after every game, but goaltending is the last worry on my mind with Michigan hockey. LaFontaine is great and seemingly getting better. I predict Lavigne will start tomorrow but only because Michigan is going with a rotation. You could play LaFontaine every night, though.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

 

Rushes

Advantages

Escape %

First Period

0 n/a n/a

Second Period

1 4v3 100%

Third Period

1 3v2 100%

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

2 4v3, 3v2 100%

Analysis: Once again, OMRs are mostly nil. I counted the two that I did because I let some other similar ones go. There didn’t seem to be any blatantly terrible ones, though. Just a handful of maybe. Both of the ones I counted resulted in saves. The others…pretty much nothing. Again, this is a huge improvement from the last couple years and reflects well on the discipline and positioning of the defensemen. Keep this up.

 

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 58, Ferris State 50

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 54, Ferris State 50

Comments

Michigan Arrogance

November 3rd, 2017 at 7:05 AM ^

1st period was solid, bit sloppy. 2nd was not greate, very sloppy on D, 3rd period was more dominant as it probably should have been, but the puck simply went in for them in the 3rd.

Pearson and the staff is likely telling them that the puck won't go in so easily most nights and that they need to clean up the D b/c they won't be winning many 7-2 games in the B10 this year. They need to win 2-1, 3-2 and have the goaltending save their bacon. but that can't happen if they let up 30 shots and 25 opps from the house every night.

Everyone Murders

November 3rd, 2017 at 7:39 AM ^

Before last night's game both goalies' save percentages were eseentially the same- .927 for JLF and .925 for Lavigne.  Last night's results will goose JLF's overall number slighty, but they're still awfully close on paper.

I've been unable to watch the games so far this year, but is there evidence that JLF is "the man" out there when push comes to shove?  (I recognize Lavigne's played less minutes, which may tell us about Pearson's opinion on the matter.  But does the OP or anyone on the board have any insights here?)

In any event, thanks to the OP for writing this.  It's nice to read solid reporting and analysis - especially for those of us who don't get much Michigan hockey coverage otherwise.

David

November 3rd, 2017 at 8:10 AM ^

The difference to me is that JLF was a 3rd round pick. Lavigne wasn't drafted and entered college as a 20 year old freshman...which means he played juniors as long as he could because it was the best opportunity he had. GENERALLY, the rule is that if you're good, they'll find you. 



Now, I really like Lavigne. They can win a title with him in net, for sure (obviously they need to improve in other areas). He'll be here another two years, I would guess. 

I would still say that JLF is a little more athletic and probably has a higher ceiling than Lavigne and he's two years younger. I think its fine to rotate them more a time, but as we close in on the Big Ten season getting into full swing, it is probably advisable to go with a larger split than 50/50. 



To reiterate, I am not down at all on Lavigne...just a bit higher on JLF.

Everyone Murders

November 3rd, 2017 at 9:26 AM ^

Based on relative playing time, it sounds like Coach Pearson is on all-fours with you.  It's wonderful that a first-year coach has two great options at the most critical position on the ice.

Again, thanks for your coverage on this!

Pepto Bismol

November 3rd, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^

The second period got a little dicey in their own end, no doubt about it, and that is going to happen.  But in general, the team is just so much more responsible.  You touch on it with your odd-man rushes.  They're just not nearly as common this season and it's easy to see why.  There were multiple instances where I expected guys to take a chance on a pinch in the offensive zone and they erred on the side of caution - giving up on an iffy attack to prevent numbers the other way.   

It's the one single thing that drove me (and a billion others) nuts with Berenson's teams. The nonsense they did defensively on a daily basis without correction was baffling.  It didn't matter how many times you yelled at the clouds, nobody seemed to care and it was never fixed.  We're just 7 games in with Mel and the glaring defensive gaffes have already been addressed and the results are obvious.

They will lose games against better competition.  But the base principals they're now working from will provide much more predictable and sustainable success. 

The other part that left me grinning ear-to-ear was the 3rd period.  Once they popped that 4th goal and regained a 2-goal lead, the entire game shifted.  Ferris probably let down, but Michigan loosened up and started free-wheeling.  Guys started ad-libbing hockey plays and holy moly there's talent on this team.  When Michigan smelled blood, the flood gates opened.  Top 2 lines were great, specifically Marody, Lockwood & Slaker.  Quinn Hughes is an absolute blast to watch on the blue line - prone to making 18-year-old mistakes, but man, he's playing at a speed a step faster than everyone else.  He won't be here long. 

Go Blue. Do it again tonight.

David

November 3rd, 2017 at 12:03 PM ^

I've thought about doing something like that, but I list some of the same things in my Breakdowns. And there are plenty of boxscores on mgoblue, uscho, and chn. I'm more looking at how they played and if there are certain variables that are repeatable or isolated. Also, I think the post is long enough, already...especially for hockey, haha. However, I usually am open/willing to adjust things as necessary as long as the content remains readable and smooth.