OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan did not have the best offensive night. Ohio State’s defense mostly kept Michigan off of the puck at even strength. The Wolverines did force some DZTOs– especially with the Garrett Van Wyhe line- and cashed in on those in the third period. That “fourth” line won a lot of battles behind the OSU net and Moyle was the recipient of nice centering passes, tying the game and giving the Wolverines the lead. This felt a little bit like the reciprocal of the second game in Columbus where Michigan was the better team through most of the game, but the Buckeyes won the game late. The Wolverines hung tough for most of the game before they turned the Buckeyes over and stole three points at the end. Gritty comeback win for Michigan, which generally wins games because they get out to a lead and hold on until the end.

DEFENSE

Analysis: Michigan’s defense was mostly solid. They generally kept Ohio State to the edges at even strength…until the third period. Ohio State kept the puck in the end for an extended time, winning faceoffs and eventually got a deflected shot on net that Mann gave up a dangerous rebound and Laczynski poked home OSU’s second goal. That chance came against tired legs and a few failed clearances. More later, but Michigan did give up a number of OMRs by getting out of position and were lucky not to give up more goals. With the lack of Buckeye offensive threats, Michigan has a little bit to tighten up for tomorrow night.

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Hughes stepped into a ROCKET to tie the game with just two seconds left in the second period  [James Coller]

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan basically scored twice on the power play tonight. The second goal came just after the power play expired as Boka found a wide-open Lambert on a diagonal to put the game away from a sharp angle. Hughes also fired home the team’s first goal of the evening as Lockwood got down to the goalline and found Hughes at the top of the House. Quinn’s blast came on a 5v3 with two seconds left in the second period. Michigan’s other three man advantages yielded very few good looks.

OSU has an okay power play, but they could not cash in tonight. Michigan yielded a few nice looks, but Strauss Mann was the key component of keeping the Buckeyes off of the board on special teams. The kill itself was a bit sloppy as the Buckeyes moved the puck well and forced Mann into nice saves. There’s some room for improvement there for tomorrow night.

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Whoops! I’m over here, Strauss! Mann played well but was a bit fortunate, too  [James Coller]

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Strauss Mann started in net after coming in late in the Notre Dame game last week. He played well…for the most part. There were a few iffy rebounds and a couple of post shots that it looked like he was slow to his positioning– and he did get a little lucky as the Buckeyes hit a few posts. Mann did make a number of bail-out saves, though, including an extended leg sprawl on the penalty kill when a Buckeye got deep in the slot. And to be fair, OSU did get half of their shots on frame from inside the House. Overall, he played well enough to get the start tomorrow.

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Mike Pasta got a free look on net, forcing Romeo’s biggest save of the night  [James Coller]

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Michigan gave up three OMRs in a short period of time in the middle of the second period. OSU finished on the 4v3 after it looked like Mike Pastujov had scored the first goal. A defenseman jumped the play to create the extra attacker, and OSU moved the puck well to finish. The Buckeyes also had a threatening 2v1 that created a shot that went high and a 3v1 that Hughes biffed and Mann bailed him out. Most of the game, Michigan was disciplined, but that stretch almost killed them. Too many chances for a limited offensive team.

Michigan generated a couple of OMRs. Lambert lead Mike Pasta on a 2v1, but Sean Romeo made his biggest save of the night to rob Pasta. Michigan’s 3v2 was poorly taken.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Ohio State 44, Michigan 32

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Ohio State 44, Michigan 31