Michigan Hockey Game #11: Michigan State 4, Michigan 3
OFFENSE
| Corsi | House | Possession % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Period | 24 | 8 | 57% |
| Second Period | 25 | 8 | 50% |
| Third Period | 11 | 0 | 50% |
| Overtime | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| TOTAL | 60 | 16 | 53% |
- Analysis: For the better part of two periods, Michigan controlled the puck and offensive opportunities. Johnny Beecher buried a shot from no angle at all (a terrible goal for Lethemon) to put Michigan up 3-1, and from then on, it looked like the Wolverines felt the game was over. Michigan’s chances went into the tank, and they could not get anywhere near the House. So, their best goal-scoring output since late October is ultimately not enough. Garrett Van Wyhe did earn a gritty goal and Nick Blankenburg fired home a nice shot from the slot early in the first. Still, the Wolverines took their foot off of the gas and could not generate a tying goal when they needed to do so.
[More details on what can only be called a collapse after THE JUMP]
DEFENSE
| Corsi | House | Possession % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Period | 18 | 7 | 43% |
| Second Period | 25 | 6 | 50% |
| Third Period | 11 | 5 | 50% |
| Overtime | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| TOTAL | 54 | 18 | 47% |
- Analysis: This is basically the same as the previous section. Michigan controlled their own zone well until they had a 3-1 lead late in the second period. After that, they got very sloppy. Dakota Raabe had the worst giveaway of the season that led to the game-tying goal. The Wolverines also had trouble exiting their zone for the second half of the game. Coming into this game, I would have thought this would be one of the stronger areas for Michigan this weekend. It is not off to the strongest start. I’m not sure where to go from here.
Just can’t seem to find their footing [Coller]
SPECIAL TEAMS
| PP For | PP Against | PP Corsi For | PP Corsi Against | PP Shots/Min For | PP Shots/Min Against | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Period | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Second Period | 0/1 | 0/1 | 2 | 6 | .5 (1/2) | 2 (4/2) |
| Third Period | 0/2 | 1/1 | 6 | 7 | .25 (1/4) | 2.5(5/2) |
| Overtime | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| TOTAL | 0/3 | 1/2 | 8 | 13 | .33(2/6) | 2.25(9/4) |
- Analysis: Michigan State came into this game with a 71% kill rate. Michigan drew three penalties resulting in power plays. They looked somewhat dangerous on the first advantage but could not score. On the second, the Wolverines could barely get the puck into the zone and control it. The third chance, in the late third, wasn’t much better. They probably will not face another penalty kill as statistically poor as Michigan’s State’s. I’m not sure what else to say.
- On the other hand, State’s 31% power play only got a couple of chances. Michigan killed the first with relative ease…but could not kill the second. That ended up being the game winner. Michigan gave the Spartans just enough opportunities.
Not Mann’s best game, but he also didn’t get a lot of help [Coller]
GOALTENDING
| Shots Faced | Shots from House Faced | |
|---|---|---|
| First Period | 7 | 1 |
| Second Period | 15 | 4 |
| Third Period | 12 | 6 |
| Overtime | n/a | n/a |
| TOTAL | 34 | 11 |
- Analysis: Strauss Mann gave up four goals, but there could have easily been multiple more. He was screened on the first goal. The third was an awful DZTO where he saved the initial attempt on net. He had zero chance on the power-play one-timer from the slot. He probably wants the second goal back that beat him short side, despite being on his post. Even so, the shot was from very close range. Mann also made a number of snaring saves, including a few through heavy traffic. Perhaps not his best performance, but Mann was definitely not the reason Michigan lost.
ODD-MAN RUSHES
| Defense | Rushes | Advs | Escape% | Offense | Rushes | Advs | Scoring% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Period | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| 2nd Period | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| 3rd Period | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| OT | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| Total | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
- Analysis: Somehow, there were no OMRs. Some DZTOs? Plenty…but no OMRs.
FINAL CORSI NUMBERS
I had: Michigan 60, Michigan State 54
www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 60, Michigan State 56
November 15th, 2019 at 12:06 AM ^
How long before we start questioning Mel and whether this is working out?
Not only has there been no progress, it is regression across the board.
November 15th, 2019 at 8:01 AM ^
A lot of this actually falls on Red really. An aging coach that everyone knows is on his way out, it’s hard to recruit.
Top college teams typically recruit two types of players. There’s the one and done types, some of which stay two years (Quinn Hughes, Josh Norris, Johnny Beecher, Cam York types). Then there’s your “lifers.” Guys who you expect to stay three or four years but are mid-to-late round NHL draftees. Michigan is lacking a bit in the latter area, specifically when it comes to goal scorers.
Now when you look at your “lifers,” you typically expect them to become significant contributors by their Junior and Senior year. This is where you’d expect guys like Will Lockwood, Jake Slaker, and the Pastujov brothers to grow into solid top two line scorers. Not that they’re bad players, but they aren’t bringing the scoring touch you HAVE to get from upperclassmen. As for the NHL type talent, we have 7 players drafted on the roster. Two first round freshmen, Lockwood (DNP last night), a couple late round offensive players, one defender, and a late round freshman.
The problem with this lineup, is individual offensive talent. To get that, you’re going to need a core of that second tier upperclassmen player. Guys who look like they can potentially fill that role but are young still, would include guys like Lambert and Van Whye. Looking at previous seasons as a comparison, how great was it to have upperclassmen like Hyman, Copp, Compher, Motte, etc.? Pair those guys with one of those one and done types like Kyle Conner and Dylan Larkin. That’s how top teams build champion caliber offenses. Michigan failed to get those Hyman, Compher, Copp type players at the tail end of Red’s career, and it’s showing with our upperclassmen now. Mel’s guys are all freshmen and sophomores. Many of which are contributing just as much, if not more, than the upperclassmen recruited by Red.
Regression is going to happen when your coach is on his way out of the door and his recruiting suffers as a result. You’re going to have a period where you lack veteran talent and it will show on the scoreboard.
November 15th, 2019 at 12:38 AM ^
There are aspects of the team that make such thoughts spin through my mind from time to time.
November 15th, 2019 at 6:46 AM ^
Mel needs to figure this out, quickly. There's an intensity issue here that a head coach needs to be able to address.
November 15th, 2019 at 9:21 AM ^
Is it time to wonder about Pearson’s program? Seems like it should be up and running at full speed and yet they seem stuck in mud.
November 15th, 2019 at 3:00 PM ^
I've seen three complete games this year on TV, none live; 2 losses and a tie. Every game was the same. Michigan outshot the opponent, controlled the puck better, out-skated, displayed better stick skills, and played most of the game in the opponent's zone. And the effort is mostly there; you see guys diving in front of shots and willing to do the dirty work to dig the pucks out of corners. But then they inexplicably have lapses where they get lazy and don't seem to care about turning it over which leads to goals for the opponent and sucks the air out of Yost.
Mel has already initiated some healthy scratches this year to try to send messages. I can see where his coaching is fine on the schemes and everything else, but he needs to figure out how to get the concentration level sustained in order to avert these boneheaded mistakes.
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