Michigan hung the heads of two teams this weekend [JD Scott]

OFFENSE

Analysis: This is another game where overall Corsi is not as relevant as either Close Corsi or House Chances. I charted the game on a re-watch, and it really became a game of errors. Michigan definitely created some chances, but they also took advantage of some major gaffes by BU.

Over the first half of the game or so, the Wolverines were able to get into the House with relative ease, as close to half of their attempts came from a desirable location. After the fluky Slaker goal gave Michigan the lead, they mostly went into prevent mode, and BU applied tons of pressure to tie the game. Michigan was happy to sacrifice chances on net for protection of their own net. This wasn’t the best offensive output of the season by any means, but it was reflective of the game that Michigan was playing.

Even so, Michigan missed a few golden chances to extend their lead and end the game. CHN had close corsi at 32-24, BU, which is way more reflective of how this game went. Hughes was the beneficiary of a goal in which all six BU participants stood in a parallel line. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that before. Warren’s hustle goal also came from a Plinko bounce off of the boards and Oettinger’s skate.

[After THE JUMP: shutdown defense, timely goaltending, and advantageous OMRs]

Could put a photo of him in front of the Defense or Ofense section [Eric Upchurch]

DEFENSE

Analysis: So, there are multiple ways to look at this. Michigan did struggle with zone exits and gifted the Terriers a couple of goals. The Norris back-pass and Cecconi DZTO was not great by any stretch. Part of Michigan’s struggles, though, were BU’s talent. The Terriers have 13 draft picks and–at times- played very much like that. When that happens, Michigan is going to struggle and that was evident on Sunday afternoon.

That being said, Michigan did not allow many attempts from the House, and almost nothing attempted from the House either got through or was on frame. That tells me that Michigan’s defensive positioning was good, and they seemed to execute the gameplan, especially with the way that the game trajectory unfolded. A lot of success is more than just specific stats; it is making the right decisions to press and absorb when the situations call for it. Other than a couple of breakdowns–which definitely cost the Wolverines- most of BU’s attempts on net were from quite a distance or a poor angle. Even the stuff around the net, Lavigne mostly held his post and there was little room to jam for the attacker.

Nobody hits the top corner as accurately or as often as Calderone [JD Scott]

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Once again, Michigan takes two whole penalties. They give up NO power play goals! So, they take two penalties, give up zero power play goals, how do you think this game went? Ding, ding, ding! Everyone who ever thought to write a preview for this Michigan team started it with “If they stay out of the box…” Michigan did just that, and the result is a Frozen Four. They also looked good on both of their kills. Neither one required Hayden Lavigne to be Superman. BU doesn’t have Northeastern’s power play, but they’re still over 20%.

The Terriers do have a Michigan-esque penalty kill, and the Wolverines took advantage of that. After holding the zone, Cooper Marody sent a pass from the boards to a cutting Tony Calderone in the center of the House, and he sniped Michigan into the lead. I said on Saturday that anything that special teams contributes is a bonus and that’s exactly what it was. Michigan had nice offensive production, but the man advantage goal went a long way. They also generated over a shot per minute. That is an improvement, for sure!

Completely fine with the number of times I've reused this picture [Bill Rapai]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: I’ll start this saying that I charted the game myself and found some discrepancies in shot totals. Also, nothing on frame came from super dangerous spots. That being said, once again, we find ourselves with a Hayden Lavigne Game; can I get a Trademark? Anyway, Hayden plays…okay to good. He gives up a terrible goal: the second goal. After making a save, he leaves a rebound that is scooped up by Patrick Curry, who swoops around behind the net and finishes the wraparound. Lavigne left the rebound, committed out too far, then was slow going post-to-post.

Hayden has never been the best athlete, but he’s big. His size definitely plays to his advantage as he stays large and makes a lot of positional saves. Just…when you get him in a necessarily-mobile situation…sigh. The other two goals were not his fault at all. Lavigne did make a few good saves as BU got some chances from in close. Hayden has some issues, but he’s been solid and kept Michigan around in this tournament.

Like this, but with way more pressure and a goalie drafted in the first round in front of him [Ryan McLoughlin]

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan gives up one OMR, but it was a breakaway. It came when Michigan was circling through the neutral zone, and the puck took a funny bounce and the Terrier was away. The Wolverines did get lucky as the shot was fanned on. The back-checking was good, though. Regardless, it was a funny bounce and that’s the only OMR Michigan surrenders in the National Quarterfinal? I will take it.

Michigan created FOUR OMRs on the offensive end! The first three were all 3v2 or 3v1, but they produced three wide shots. Calderone missed the net twice, and Marody missed once. However…on the fourth… Boka makes a nice play to clear the zone–when the puck was deep in their own end, late in the game-then follows the play as Dancs leads the 2v1. Ol’ Dex flips a nice saucer pass to Nick Boka, who makes a nice move and finishes past Oettinger to send Michigan to St Paul. LET’S GO!

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Boston University 60 (12), Michigan 32 (16)

www.collegehockeynews.com had:  Boston University 63, Michigan 31