*NOTE: Corsi numbers now UPDATED and correct.

OFFENSE

Analysis: So, I cannot comment on the Corsi because I don’t know what it looks like with the power plays taken out. I am pretty sure this will be relatively accurate as I don’t remember Michigan registering many power play attempts on net.

It was not one of Michigan’s better offensive games by volume, but they had a number of good chances. Quinn Hughes was unbelievably unlucky tonight. He hit the post twice and barely missed the net on another wide open shot from the slot. The DMC line was dominant. When they were on the ice, OSU struggled to get the puck out of the zone, gave up many good looks at the net, and struggled to skate. As the lines filtered down, OSU’s chances increased.

The Wolverines didn’t have an overwhelming offensive performance, but they played well enough and created enough chances to win. Sean Romeo just played up to his standard, and Michigan drew an unfriendly post. Also, Cooper Marody’s goal in the second period might have been the Goal of the Year. He grabbed the puck, dropped it, got tripped, twisted his body, and roofed it over Romeo.

[More after THE JUMP]

Michigan made it tough to get into the House (uh, except that one time) [JD Scott]

DEFENSE

Analysis: Again, its tough to judge without the actual numbers, but Michigan’s defense seemed respectable. While they did fade in the third period and had trouble with clearing the puck, Michigan’s defense seemed to move the puck well and create some shots in the offensive end. Even when they were unable to clear, the defense at least helped keep play near the boards; the ice was tilted against Michigan in the third period, but play was generally outside of the House area. 

There are always little things to improve upon, but they surrendered one even-strength goal against a top tier offense. And both defensemen were back, too. I’ve definitely seen the Wolverines play worse on defense, this year. Also: Quinn Hughes is just so good.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan took four penalties tonight and gave up two goals. Surprise. The Wolverines could not take penalties and they did. They paid for it. There’s not much left to say about this topic.

Michigan drew two penalties and did manage to score one man-advantage goal. Cooper Marody had a bananas spin-o-rama goal from the slot. That happened so soon into the second man advantage that they PA announcer didn’t finish announcing the penalty information. The other power play was blah. The Wolverines didn’t register a shot and didn’t get any dangerous looks.

Lavigne saw plenty of these and acquitted himself well [JD Scott]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: I thought Hayden Lavigne played pretty well; I wouldn’t put any goals on him. Maybe the OT goal, but that was a guy walking down the slot as the odd man. He did leave some pucks in the crease and there were definitely rebounds to be had. Michigan’s defense did a solid job of clearing most of those away, though.

Lavigne also struggled with the trampoline boards. Multiple times the puck came ricocheting off the boards and trickled back to him. He lost it underneath himself and was lucky that the puck didn’t go into the net. He did make a number of great saves, though, including multiple from the low slot/crease area. The goals weren’t his fault, but the puck control still remains an issue.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: In the second period, Michigan created 4 OMRs. They forced one save, missed two passes, and had the period run out on the fourth.

Michigan surrendered one OMR by my count. It came 30 seconds into overtime and Matthew Weis beat Lavigne five-hole. That’s it. Just one. But it certainly counted. There were others that were close-ish but nothing definite. Give up one, get scored on in overtime…sounds like Columbus.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Ohio State 55(25), Michigan 48(23)

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Ohio State 55, Michgan 23