Michigan Hockey: Notre Dame vs. Michigan — Preview
Posted at 12:00pm — 12/11/2009
NOTRE DAME / WOLVERINES HOCKEY PREVIEW
MICHIGAN (8-8-0, 4-6-0 ) 10th in the CCHA
18th ranked NOTRE DAME (7-7-4, 4-4-4-2) T5th in the CCHA
Friday, 12/11 7:35 PM Yost Arena
Sunday, 12/13 4:05 PM Joyce Center, South Bend , Ind.
Both games will be seen on Comcast local (ch. 900) or via live streaming at UND.com
Them’s Fightin’ Words:
Michigan and Note Dame clash for what is the Irish’s longest hockey rivalry, with 118 meetings already in the books. Notre Dame and Michigan cannot even agree with the all time record, as Michigan holds to a 67-45-5 mark, where Irish historians claim a 66-47-5 tally, both in favor of the Wolverines.
The Irish have had the upper hand on Michigan as of late, though, winning three of the last four, including the CCHA Championship game last March, 5-2. Michigan has won five of the last eight games dating back three seasons, but unfortunately, those losses came in either the CCHA Championship game (‘07, ‘09) or in the NCAA Tournament Frozen Four Semi-Final (‘08). Michigan defeated Notre Dame 2-1 in South Bend, and lost a controversial 3-2 decision at Yost last season.
Notre Dame’s resurgence under coach Jeff Jackson has brought them back from obscurity to a national contender in a matter of five seasons. The Irish are first in victories over the past three seasons with 97, and first in winning percentage, at .707. Michigan is second with 96/.699 and Miami is third at 91/.689.
Yost Arena, site of the first game in the match-up, has been a terrific venue for the Maize and Blue in recent years. The Irish, for instance, are 4-22-1 in Ann Arbor since the ’92-93 season, but are 2-2 in the last two seasons. Michigan and Notre Dame will meet twice in Ann Arbor and twice in South Bend, both being home and home affairs. They will re-acquaint themselves on February 25th and 26th.
Irish Eyes Haven’t Been Smiling:
Notre Dame has not had the best start this season, but it certainly is not due to their stout defense. The Irish are stinging, coming off of dual shutouts to the hands of the Miami Redhawks, 1-0 and 4-0, which marked the first time this has happened to the Irish since Wisconsin pulled the trick in January, 2005. The good news, at least for Irish faithful, is that their defense ranks 4th in the country, holding opponents to 35 goals on the season, or an average of 1.94 goals per game. The Irish have held their foes to two goals or less in 11 of their 18 games, and to three goals or less in 16 of their 18 games. Their penalty killing is just as tough- as they held a string of 31 periods without a PP goal being scored against them up (over six games) until last Saturday against Miami. They hold a 90.7% PK, which is good for third in the country.
Trouble Finding The Pot ‘O Gold:
Notre Dame is struggling offensively, which is due in part to untimely injuries and poor luck. The numbers reaffirm the bad news, as the Irish are slogging along as the 52nd offensive team in the country, scoring only 2.11 goals per game, and have only tallied 38 goals this season. They have only scored four or more goals in two games this season and have also struggled on the power play, usually one of their better areas in recent years. Currently the Irish have scored 18 of their 38 goals on the PP, and have scored a PP goal in 13 of their 18 games, excluding last weekend, where they went 0/15. Right now, they’ll take any luck they can get (please, no controversial goals off of skates) as they are mired in a 133:54 goal-less drought dating back to 11/28 against Bowling Green.
Watch These Domers:
The Irish are certainly not void of talent, as they were picked to compete with Miami and Michigan for the CCHA title. They are led by a well-balanced lineup headlined by freshman forward Kyle Palmieri, an Anaheim Ducks draftee, who has contributed 5-2-7 on the season. Palmieri will compete for a spot on the USA National Junior squad in two weeks. Fellow Freshman Riley Sheahan has added 3-7-10 and was given the top grade in a recent NHL Central Scouting report on players in the CCHA. Wolverine killer Jr. Calle Ridderwall leads the Irish with 10 goals on the year, which is tied for 2nd in the CCHA. Ridderwall also has 6 PPG’s, tied for second in the CCHA and 5th nationally.
Look for So. Bill Maday, Jr. Ben Ryan, Sr. Kevin Deeth and Sr. Ryan Thang to also log their share of ice time this weekend.
The Blue line is also patrolled by three of the top defensemen in the conference. Sr. Kyle Lawson is a tough, stay at home type player that is rarely caught out of position and occasionally pushes up into the rush. Sr. Brett Blatchford and Jr. Ian Cole compliment Lawson’s style by imposing their speed and size on incoming opponents. The Irish block a ton of shots, don’t get caught out of position and their forwards are well coached to assist a defense that doesn’t make many mistakes.
The last line of the Irish defense is manned by Freshman Mike Johnson, who has really been impressive in his first campaign. He holds a 4-4-2 mark with a 1.79 GAA (4th in the country) and a .932 Sv % (3rd in the country). He has one shutout on the year. Johnson is complimented by Jr. Brad Phillips, who holds a 2.53 GAA and a .919 Sv %. He too has one shutout.
Wolverine Notes:
Michigan returns home from a weekend split down at Ohio State . The offense is starting to awaken, as the Wolverines have won four of their last five games. Unfortunately, the defense and goaltending lapsed last Friday in Columbus, a problem plaguing the team all season, and it is reflected in their updated statistics.
Michigan decreased their goals per game average slightly to 2.88, which slipped them to 26th in the country. At the same time, their goals against average jumped to 2.38, which dropped UM to 12th in the country.
Carl Hagelin increased his team lead in goals, scoring a goal and two assists last weekend to move his totals to 8-7-15 on the year, and stretching his points streak to all eight weekends this season. Freshman Chris Brown added a goal and three assists last weekend to increase his line to 7-8-15, tied with Hagelin for overall points. Matt Rust added a goal and two assists to move up to 6-8-1. All combined, this line scored 10 of the 14 points last weekend. Look for Rust to play well against Notre Dame, as he has 3 G and 1 A in six games against the Irish. Steve Kampfer has also started to push his offensive numbers from the blue line, as he has had four assists in the last four games. He has also contributed to Michigan ’s PK, tying fellow Senior Chris Summers with 19 blocked shots.
Michigan ’s PP continues to improve, as the team has now scored a PPG in each of the last six games, 8/31 during that period.
The team now owns the #1 rank nationally in their PK, at 91.7% (77/84) and has not allowed a PPG in the last five games, a string of 22 straight kills.
CCHA Kudos:
Chris Brown was named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week for his terrific effort against the Buckeyes.
This week’s keys to the match up:
1. Another rivalry game, but this time it is against a team that suffocates their opponents with a relentless forecheck and a left wing lock system that pinches the rush in the neutral zone in an effort to force turnovers. The key to beating this system, and to penetrating the blue line, is to play patient hockey and keep the play along the boards as you enter the Notre Dame zone. Force the play deep and make their defensemen work the puck out.
2. It is IMPERATIVE to score the first goal. Teams do not fare well by trailing this team, as their defensive numbers are the strength of the Notre Dame strategy.
3. Do not sacrifice defense. Notre Dame may not appear to be dangerous offensively, but that is based on the fact that they have been involved in 16 of 18 games where the game was a one-goal affair late in the contest. Expect a close game and wait for the right opportunity to attack. They can strike quickly and have experienced players that are not intimidated by Yost.
4. Stop Ridderwall, period. He has been a key weapon in the marquee losses the past two seasons.
Prediction: Friday Michigan 2 Notre Dame 1
Sunday Notre Dame 2 Michigan 0
Written by Yostmeister
Go Blue — Wear Maize!
