Michigan Hockey 17-18, Game #7: Michigan 7, Ferris State 2

A strong third period breaks it open (Bill Rapai)

OFFENSE

Analysis: Michigan turned in some nice offensive numbers, tonight, including getting over half of their attempts from the House. This probably speaks more to Ferris State than to Michigan, though. Michigan did create a ton, but Ferris did not look very talented or capable of threatening Michigan’s offense at all. The Wolverines took advantage of who they played and cut the Bulldog defense wide open. Looking at the numbers coming into the game, however, that’s what a good offense needed to do. Check.

[Defense, special teams, and goaltending after THE JUMP]

A little offense from the defenseman (Bill Rapai)

DEFENSE

Analysis: The defense, however, got pretty sloppy. Both Bulldog goals came after inexplicable Wolverine gaffes. There were also numerous opportunities where a Ferris skater walked right down the slot untouched. Misses and great saves kept the scoreboard from being much closer. If that’s a Gopher or a Badger, those are probably goals. Ferris came in being absolutely dominated by Bemidji in a two game series, but they threw a ton of pucks at LaFontaine tonight. Good on them for taking advantage of a sloppy Wolverine defense. Last weekend’s barrages were to be expected…but a 47(25) from Ferris is a little disconcerting. Michigan has another chance to clean up some defensive issues tomorrow night.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Analysis: Michigan started hot, scoring on their first two power plays. They did not finish their last five opportunities, but I would argue that those looked more dangerous. They moved the puck very well at times. After setting up in what I’m going to call the Star (a guy on each post and a triangle at the top), they used skip passes very well, crossing the slot well and finding open shooters. I was a little skeptical at first, but they had some great looks. I’d still like to see the 1-3-1 a little, as well, but the way they can get the puck from side to side…this could work nicely. On the penalty kill, they were fine. There was the time Boka got his skate caught and took himself out of the play, sliding into the corner, leading to the Ferris power play goal. Woof on that. However, that’s an isolated misstep. Unfortunate but I can’t blame the PK.

JLF always seems to be Michigan’s best player on the ice (Bill Rapai)

GOALTENDING

Analysis: Jack LaFonataine started in net and played very well.  Better than I hoped he would have to play. Both goals were terrible defensive-zone giveaways leaving him essentially facing a breakaway each time. He also faced a handful of other Grade A chances and denied some, while others missed wide. Thirty shots is a lot from a team that didn’t have thirty attempts in either game last weekend. I feel like I type this after every game, but goaltending is the last worry on my mind with Michigan hockey. LaFontaine is great and seemingly getting better. I predict Lavigne will start tomorrow but only because Michigan is going with a rotation. You could play LaFontaine every night, though.

ODD-MAN RUSHES

Analysis: Once again, OMRs are mostly nil. I counted the two that I did because I let some other similar ones go. There didn’t seem to be any blatantly terrible ones, though. Just a handful of maybe. Both of the ones I counted resulted in saves. The others…pretty much nothing. Again, this is a huge improvement from the last couple years and reflects well on the discipline and positioning of the defensemen. Keep this up.

FINAL CORSI NUMBERS

I had: Michigan 58, Ferris State 50

www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 54, Ferris State 50