Michigan Hockey 2018-19, Game #1: Vermont 5, Michigan 2

David October 6th, 2018 at 10:43 PM

[James Coller] If you missed the game, it was this…on repeat.

OFFENSE

	Corsi	House	Possession %
First Period	18	6	53%
Second Period	13	6	52%
Third Period	18	11	75%
Overtime	n/a	n/a	n/a
TOTAL	49	23	59%

Analysis: Michigan didn’t overwhelmingly create a ton of even-strength chances, but when they did, they got into dangerous areas. At first, it was the Norris-Lockwood line, but as the game unfolded, they were getting all of their lines involved and rolling through them while maintaining the offensive zone. Now, there could be a competition caveat (we’ll see in a few weeks), but they still controlled the puck and got great looks on net. Stefanos Lekkas put on a clinic. Like Visa, he was everywhere Vermont wanted to be…and then some. I guess that’s practice for seeing Romeo and Morris eight times in Big Ten season.

Norris and Lockwood looked great. Norris missed a couple of tap-ins and Becker and the Pastas got deep in the slot and wreaked havoc, but just could not fool Lekkas at all. Also, there were multiple potential goals that rolled wide. So, the number of finishes isn’t desirable, but the chances were dangerous and the volume was high. Do it again and the tallies will be increased.

[James Coller] Defense was whoaaaaaaaaaa, then fine.

DEFENSE

	Corsi	House	Possession %
First Period	16	10	47%
Second Period	12	5	48%
Third Period	6	1	25%
Overtime	n/a	n/a	n/a
TOTAL	34	16	41%

Analysis: Take away the first ten minutes or so and this was a great game from the defense. In those opening minutes, however, Vermont had seven or eight shots, including a few open looks from the slot. The first period shooting chart was unnerving. Spoiler says that Michigan also gave up a couple of OMRs. Throw in a few bad DZTOs and it was not a fun first period. After that, though, almost nothing. Vermont did tone down the pressure later in the game, but Michigan’s discipline grew, they broke the puck out better, and they shielded their goalie very well. Sixteen looks from the House (on only 34 attempts) is not great, but most of those were early. So, if that was just some season-opening jitters, Michigan’s defensive woes will hopefully be a thing of the past.

[James Coller] When Lekkas wasn’t hurtling forwards, he was making infinite saves, many on Michigan power plays.

SPECIAL TEAMS

	PP For	PP Against	PP Corsi For	PP Corsi Against	PP Shots/Min For	PP Shots/Min Against
First Period	2/2	1/1	7	1	1.5(3/2)	1.00 (1/1)
Second Period	0/1	0/2	1	4	.5(1/2)	.25 (1/4)
Third Period	0/3	0/0	19	0/0	2.17(13/6)	n/a
Overtime	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
TOTAL	2/6	1/3	27	5	1.7	.40

Analysis: Michigan started out with their PK of last year, surrendering a goal on the first attempt on net. After that, they seemed to settle down and kill off the remaining. They allowed two whole shots. One of them was from the slot and it went into the net. The other was from near the dot. And that was all. Penalty kill definitely looked better as the game progressed.

The power play looked good. They scored on their first two opportunities. Lockwood had a lovely snipe, and Nick Pastujov put away a rebound after a Slaker rip. Cecconi, Norris, and Hughes all had some great chances. After a couple of meh chances, the last couple opportunities were dynamite, but they could not find the back of the net. Michigan averaged almost two shots a minute (one shot a minute is good), and they sent the puck on net 27 (!!) times in only six total power play chances. I’m not sure what else to do, aside from taking Lekkas out of the game.

GOALTENDING

	Shots Faced	Shots from House Faced
First Period	13	8
Second Period	6	3
Third Period	5	1
Overtime	n/a	n/a
TOTAL	24	12

Analysis: Hayden Lavigne got the start in net, as expected. I’m not really sure what to say about him. He had a few shots that he had absolutely no chance on (one that he might have been screened and a deflection?), and then not a lot else. For most of the second and third periods he sat around and planned out his class schedule. I can’t really blame him for any goals. He did have a couple nice saves early in the first as the defense was still gathering itself. Beyond that, there is little of note.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Defense	Rushes	Advs	Escape%	Offense	Rushes	Advs	Scoring%
1^st Period	2	2v1, 3v1	100%		1	3v2	0%
2^nd Period	n/a	n/a	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a
3^rd Period	1	2v1	0%		n/a	n/a	n/a
OT	n/a	n/a	n/a		n/a	n/a	n/a
Total	3	2v1 x2, 3v1	67%		1	3v2	0%

Analysis: Michigan didn’t give up a ton of them (although, its entirely possible I missed one in the frenzied early going). They were lucky to not give up a goal on the first chance and got burned on the third. Again, I’ve definitely seen worse, but with so many returning experienced defensemen, OMRs cannot be a thing this year.

The Wolverines created one chance and Norris missed a tap-in from Lockwood. Ugh.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 49, Vermont 34