OFFENSE

• Analysis: Michigan’s attack jumped to start, pressuring the Badgers through the beginning of the game. Like Michigan yesterday, Wisconsin rebounded and stymied the Wolverines, off-and-on throughout the game. Michigan did control the puck at even strength, for the most part, but Wisconsin did a pretty good job of protecting the House and high danger areas through the first 30-40 minutes. Michigan could get into the slot, but rarely got a great look or had too many open shooters. Robbie Beydoun also proved himself tonight, getting in front of most everything the Wolverines did manage to get through to him. Somewhat against the feel of play in the second period, the (heart eyes) duo of Beniers and Johnson created a great look and Garbage Goal Grano was sitting at the crease for an easy tying goal. Beydoun also came up large late when Lambert and Brisson were both close to winners near the end of the third. It took some sweet magic from the silky hands of Thomas Bordeleau to cap the Wolverines night in OT. You should probably go watch it again.

[AFTER THE JUMP: Nervy Defense and Strauss Heroics]

Nervy defense at times but got the job done [James Coller]

DEFENSE

• Analysis: So, Michigan didn’t give up a whole lot of even strength shot attempts. They also had the puck a lot. The defense still…wasn’t great? I mean, in a way it was, but there were enough dangerous chances (hard to show without shot charts) that made us go “ahhhhhh!” too many times. Michigan also struggled with some Badger pressure, getting turned over in their own end and just flat out missing some breakout passes. York and Blankenburg didn’t have their best games. Wisconsin decided their best chance was to pressure the Wolverines on the back-end, hoping to lead to some Grade A chances, even if it might expose their own backline. It worked to a large extent. They definitely had enough good chances to score, but they also missed the net and/or a Wolverine would recover enough to harass the shooter. This will be one of the better attacks Michigan will face, so only giving up three goals on the weekend is pretty good…even if it was choppy at times. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Analysis: Michigan had two power play chances tonight. Both were…eh, dodgy? They created a very nice look for Brisson at the end of the first chance. The puck movement was still very good. They held the zone, but on a night that the offense lost a bit of crispness, the power play was just not quite as dynamic. They also only had two opportunities, when they could have…you know what? It’s not worth talking about.

The Wolverines took five penalties, which is too many against this potent of an attacking club. There were a couple that were…debatable, though. Okay, now I’m talking about that. Moving on! In the end, the Kill was pretty solid, only surrendering one goal. That’s acceptable in this case. Wisconsin did hold the zone for the majority of their advantages. Summers had a rough shift leading to the goal. He cleared the puck into the ref on an otherwise easy out. Then he lost his man backside and missed the breakup of the diagonal pass that led to the tap-in goal. It took all of that for the Badgers to score tonight.

He was listed as the starter…but wasn’t. [James Coller]
GOALTENDING

• Analysis: The much anticipated debut of Erik Portillo is upon us! Just kidding. It’s still Strauss. And it was a good thing. Not to take anything away from the Swede, but Mann was called upon a number of times, and he showed why its never a bad idea for him to be in net. He bailed the Wolverines out a number of times, especially in the latter half of the game… and in the penalty-laden last six minutes of the third period. His puck-tracking and positioning are just so good. The last time he gave up more than two goals was…nine games ago…which is coincidentally, the last time this hockey team has lost.

ODD MAN RUSHES

• Analysis: Michigan did not create an OMR tonight. They had a couple of close calls, but I try to be specific in the sense that there is a distinct advantage. On the flip side, they did give up two. The early 3v2 surrendered a shot wide of Mann. The 2v1 was a bit more dicey, as Blankenburg had a bad pinch and was caught up ice. Mann was able to corral that shot attempt though.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 61, Wisconsin 36