CLICK HERE for Game Recap from Kristy McNeil and other pertinent information.

What just happened (TL;DR): This game was close in score for a Period, but Michigan still dominated. Then, the dam broke open in the second, and Michigan gave Colgate’s net major fillings on repeat. The Wolverines drilled seven goals in nine minutes to crown themselves winners of the opening round. After a third period spearmint spearing, the Wolverines power play capped three more times to set a NCAA Tournament record for goals. In an opening round that saw other Big Ten teams score 8, 8, and 9 goals, Michigan turned heads with double digits. #eyeballemoji

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS (www.collegehockeynews.com)

Forward Notes.

-This was an absolute evisceration. Every. Single. Forward. for Michigan tallied at least a point. It was just a finishing clinic. The Wolverines momentarily shut it down at the end of the second period and beginning of the third or else they probably could have had more. An enraging penalty late in the game, re-ignited the Wolverines for more blood on the power play. Michigan showed their finishing ceiling when they have the puck in dangerous areas all night. Turns out, the ceiling is the roof.

-Michigan had NINE different goal scorers on Friday night. Nine. Adam Fantilli has two points and was nowhere near the offensive star of the game, lol. Depth scoring is always key in tournament runs, and the Wolverines certainly checked that box. Colgate nowhere near Michigan’s class on the ice, and dominating, scoring goals, and not letting up is what is necessary in those games. Michigan seems to be firing on all cylinders at just the right time.

-Seniors Nick Granowicz and Eric Ciccolini both skated in their first NCAA Tournament game and each scored a goal. That’s pretty cool.

Weclome to the Luke Show (David Wilcomes)

Defense Notes.

-The in-zone defense was fine. Colgate didn’t generate a whole lot in the offensive zone. That was also to be expected. When the game was tight (on the scoreboard, at least), Michigan did give away a few chances in transition. Luke Hughes had a couple bad giveaways early that gave the Flossers a few scoring chances. After the first period, though, the Wolverines tightened up on the backend and locked the game down.

-Luke Hughes tallied a five point night. LOL. He tallied a short-hand goal, power play goal, and three assists. Seamus Casey also tallied three assists. Four of Michigan’s seven defensemen tallied a point. It was a good night to be a puck-moving blueliner!

Eric Ciccolini scored the game-winner (David Wilcomes)

SPECIAL TEAMS CHART

Power Play. Michigan’s power play was overwhelming on their first advantage. The Wolverines generated four shots on net and at least three of the were Grade A looks. Adam Fantilli and Gavin Brindley both had great chances. On their second power play, TJ Hughes fired a shot from the dot and Eric Ciccolini slammed home the rebound from the slot. After a spearing (!) call in the third period, an angry Michigan power play tallied THREE more times. Luke Hughes, Dylan Duke, and Rutger McGroarty all launched the Wolverines into double digits. Michigan was always going to have a supreme advantage on the power play, and they made it count and how.

Penalty Kill. Michigan’s penalty kill basically evened up the ice. Though, the Wolverines had multiple more scoring chances on the penalty kill than Colgate did on their power play. Luke Hughes scored a shortie from the top of the House to put the Wolverines up 8-0. Frank Nazar also had a golden chance, but slid his attempt just wide. The Fluoriders barely threatened to gain the zone.

That’s seven good games in a row for Erik Portillo (David Wilcomes)

GOALTENDING CHART

Notes. The hidden story of the night was that Erik Portillo was pretty good. Now, he didn’t have a whole lot to do all night, but when he was called upon, he made the saves. His biggest saves came on transition opportunities. Portillo had four saves on OMRs. He did have a loose rebound, dropped a catchable puck, and lost his stick once, but again, all in all, it was another very encouraging performance from the Big Swede.

When the defense was sloppy, Erik Portillo shut it down (David Wilcomes)

ODD MAN RUSH CHART

Notes. When the game was close in the first period, Michigan did give up a few OMRs. Erik Portillo made a couple of saves, including one on the power play. Adam Fantilli made a helluva play backchecking to break up the 3v1 (making it a 3v2). While having the puck in the offensive zone all night is going to allow for chances in transition, that is still a nice Talking Point for Naurato on the off day. Not great, but also not worrisome for this specific game.

Michigan also got a couple of breakaways late in the game. Gavin Brindley and Frank Nazar could not finish either. Eh, whatever.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Michigan set an NCAA Tournament record for goals. This is what you do to an extremely over-matched opponent. They got a phenomenal first round draw and absolutely made it count. They also played well enough defensively and got a nice performance out of Erik Portillo. These are all boxes that you wanted to see checked going into the weekend, and they did that. They draw the high flying home crowded Penn State Ice Lions on Sunday night at 6:30pm on ESPN2. Michigan has beaten them three times in four games. Sunday’s game will have a trip to Tampa on the line.