Michigan Hockey ‘17-18, Game #31: Michigan 4, Notre Dame 2

Submitted by David on

Ah, finishing goals. [Bill Rapai]

OFFENSE

 

Corsi

House

Possession %

First Period

18 9 62%

Second Period

11 5 48%

Third Period

4 1 14%

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

33 15 41%

Analysis: Michigan started this game on fire. They created multiple OMRs right off the bat and put the puck in the net twice in the opening period. Hughes ripped a shot and Winborg deflected it behind Morris. Then Dancs found the puck off of a DZTO and beat Morris short side–Morris’s only soft goal of the four. Michigan was able to get deep in the House area all period and could have had a three or four goal lead after the first. Then, it slowwwwed wayyyyyy dowwwwn.

The penalty-fest in the second kept even strength play very similar. Calderone was able to poke home a garbage goal after James Sanchez drew a lot of attention in the slot. In the third, Michigan went full Sparty and registered a 4(1). But, as Sparty would, they scored on their only House chance, as Nick Pastujov picked up a pick in the neutral zone and found his brother across the crease to give M a 4-2 lead.

Tonight is a night that we remember to put Corsi in context. Michigan played very defensively–and rightly so-in the third. The Irish also turned up the pressure, as they needed a couple of goals. The numbers were low, but the offense was fine in context tonight. Plus, they finished chances! WOO!

[After THE JUMP: a couple unbelievable even-strength stats and woop yep probably just cursed them]

For most of the game, this was Michigan’s defense [Bryan Fuller]

DEFENSE

 

Corsi

House

Possession %

First Period

11 7 38%

Second Period

12 5 52%

Third Period

25 9 86%

Overtime

n/a n/a n/a

TOTAL

48 21 59%

Analysis: Despite that ridiculous number in the third period, I’m going to stand in the defense’s corner tonight. They played unbelievably well in the first period, as Notre Dame generated very little. Then, for most of the rest of the game, they were playing with a two-goal lead. With Lavigne playing well and the Irish not known for their scoring, sitting back and defending was definitely the move, and it worked. Lavigne played well, but Michigan also managed the puck and the game well. For the second time in three games against the Irish, they did not surrender an even-strength goal. Also, they’ve only given up one even-strength goal to the Irish this season.

*Close Corsi is defined as even-strength attempts when the game is within one goal. Close Corsi was 17-8, Michigan.

SPECIAL TEAMS

 

PP For

PP Against

PP Corsi For

PP Corsi Against

PP Shots/Min For

PP Shots/Min Against

First Period

0/1 0/1 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Second Period

0/1 2/4 6 19 3 3

Third Period

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

Overtime

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

TOTAL

0/2 2/5 6 19 3 3

Analysis: This was an odd game. The first and third periods were basically 5v5, while almost the entire second period was on someone’s advantage. Michigan again gave up a goal in the first ten seconds of a power play. Both of Notre Dame’s goals were deflected. They also averaged three(!) shots/minute. That’s insane. Just like in the pervious series, the Irish stayed in the game with their power play. Michigan also killed a 5v3 for 35 seconds. Still, the penalty kill is worrisome.

Michigan basically had one power play and looked great on it. They also averaged three shots/minute and coulda/shoulda had a goal off of a great Marody-Calderone-Dancs connection, but Morris was there. That was the only man advantage that the Wolverines enjoyed tonight.

I’ll take more of this, please [Bryan Fuller]

GOALTENDING

 

Shots Faced

Shots from House Faced

First Period

6 3

Second Period

16 7

Third Period

14 5

Overtime

n/a n/a

TOTAL

36 15

Analysis: After a boring first period, Hayden Lavigne played very well in the final two stanzas, muscling Michigan to their biggest win of the year. Lavigne made matching outstanding stick and glove saves when he looked to be caught on the opposite side of the crease. He was also strong in traffic, as ND was able to get some shots from up close. Michigan also spend half of the second period on the power play and Lavigne was up to the task. Neither goal was his fault, as they both were deflected from right in front of him. He had a couple of bobbles (like normal) but was able to keep his mistakes to a minimum and kept the Wolverines out front as the third period got very dicey.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Defense

Rushes

Advs

Escape%

Offense

Rushes

Advs

Scoring%

1st Period

2 1v0, 3v1 100%   4 2v1, 3v2 x3 0%

2nd Period

2 3v2, 2v1 100%   n/a n/a n/a

3rd Period

n/a n/a n/a   1 2v1 100%

OT

n/a n/a n/a   n/a n/a n/a

Total

4 1v0, 3v1, 3v2, 2v1 100%   5 2v1 x2, 3v2 x3 20%

Analysis: This was a wide open game. Michigan gave up four OMRs, which is probably too many. They got lucky, as the Irish hit the post and couldn’t connect on the final pass of the 3v1 to score at the end of the first period. One of my keys to this game was to not get caught up-ice. They were caught out a number of times, but Notre Dame didn’t make them pay. That will be something to keep an eye on for Sunday afternoon.

Michigan generated a bunch of OMRs in the first period. They could not score on any, however. Dakota Raabe was stoned right in front of the crease. Becker had a great look from the slot, but he went high. In the third period, Nick Pastujov forced a turnover in the neutral zone and found his brother across the crease for a tap-in and game-sealing goal.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Notre Dame 48(21), Michigan 33(15)

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Notre Dame 55, Michigan 31

Comments

SanDiegoWolverine

February 16th, 2018 at 11:57 PM ^

So nowhere in the post do you mention Michigan won. You don't mention Notre Dame is ranked first of what a great fucking victory this was and that it seals the tourney bid most likely. Besides that great article.