Ugh. (Patrick Barron)

That ended badly. Michigan outplayed the Irish for the first 10 minutes then survived long enough to stake a two-goal lead at the beginning of the second period. But Notre Dame tilted the ice after that, tying the game with a knuckler and staking a one-goal lead halfway into the third. At that point the Irish tried to suffocate the game and it bit them when the Pastujovs produced a junker behind the wall of golden domes. The game appeared headed to overtime until a complete defensive breakdown with seconds to go. Mel's first season ends disappointingly, but also better than anyone ever hoped.

Offense

As the Irish went into Jackson Lockdown Mode, Michigan gained more possession and a fantastic shift from the Pastujov line resulted in a goal –and a handful of attempts- off of a DZTO. Once the Irish figured out Michigan’s early success, they pretty much clamped down until they Turtled and then got caught.

The Wolverines met their match and somewhat held their own, but their depth was not strong as the game wore down. They produced three goals, felt like they earned two and normally in a game like this that would have would be enough.

Michigan looked really good in the opening ten minutes, and then…pffft…until halfway through the third. Tony Calderone took advantage of a miscommunication in the Irish defense and stepped out of the corner to the dot and beat Morris short-side. Dancs threw a puck at the net in the early second period and was gifted with a goal as Gilbert knocked it behind Morris. Michigan was up 2-0 against a team that struggled to score. Notre Dame all but shut the Wolverines down for the next 40 minutes, though, and clawed into the lead.

[After THE JUMP: The defense was not so great]

Defense

Disappointing. (Patrick Barron)

Analysis: This did not go as planned. After having initial success breaking the puck out, Michigan’s second and third pairings struggled mightily for the majority of the game. They also were not able to keep the Irish out of the House before Turtle Mode. As you can see above, the first and second periods were not trending well.

Sam Piazza was thoroughly beaten in a race on the third goal, getting caught against a superior skater. Michigan had mostly been able to mitigate their bottom pair, but tonight, they were exposed. In addition to that, Hughes probably could have played the final goal differently as the guy he was facing in front of his own net was able to shoot the puck through him without much fuss. My guess is that he thought the period was ending or the puck would get moved to the corner. Just not good enough for this level in the tournament. 

Special Teams

In a nutshell. (Patrick Barron)

Michigan only gave up two power plays, all game. Just like in each of the first couple of rounds. Once again, it was one too many. A shot from the point was blocked right to Andrew Oglevie, and he sniped one past Lavigne from just inside the top of the House. Notre Dame only had one other opportunity –that Michigan actually looked pretty good killing. Still…that’s two goals surrendered in six total chances in the NCAA Tournament. Addressing this is at the top of the list for off-season projects.

Michigan also had three power plays. The first two were very blah and generated three whole attempts on net. The third one was better…after they were down a goal in the third and needed to equalize. Marody had a great cross-crease pass to Calderone, but Cale Morris beat him to the far post. Unbelievable save. Michigan looked a little more dangerous, but they could not take advantage.

Goaltending

Lavigne looked at a lot of this all night. (Patrick Barron)

Hayden Lavigne did not have his best game in net, tonight. It also was not atypical. He made a couple of very nice saves, but still have a few loose rebounds. Lavigne didn’t have a chance on either of the first two goals. The third one he semi-fumbled into his net, but it also came from an unchecked forward, right in front of the crease.

The last goal is on him (and Hughes). With under five seconds left, the Irish had a 2v2 and the puck got shot through Quinn’s legs and slid right under Lavigne. That just cannot happen. While it did come from in close, it was not a hard shot, and he has to be together and ready for that. There was plenty of talk about the Wolverines being able to go as far as Lavigne would allow them. That’s pretty much what happened, tonight. The game was not all his fault by any means, but…the last was a save he needed to make. He’s been decent all year with his share of flubs. The timing of this last one cost the Wolverines dearly, though. Good, not great.

Odd Man Rushes

Michigan gives up three OMRs. They were all 2v1s. Lavigne had a great glove save on the first one. The second probably should have been a goal, but Lavigne made the original save, and the rebound was shot wide. The third was a track meet between Piazza and Burke, and Burke just ghosted him. Maybe Lavigne could have done more with it? I don’t know. It was essentially a shot from just feet in front of him. Defenseman can’t get toasted like that. Three OMRs is right no the edge of what is acceptable. It was apparently one too many, tonight.

They created one OMR –a 2v1- but the Irish defensemen broke it up perfectly. That was it. That’s also what you’d expect from an extremely sound defense.

Final Corsi Numbers

I had: Notre Dame 48(19), Michigan 47(16)

College Hockey News had: Michigan 47, Notre Dame 47