Michigan Hockey: Wisconsin -- Preview

Posted at 9:00pm — 1/23/2015

Michigan Wolverine Hockey: Wisconsin — Preview

U-M Hockey Hammers Buckeyes, Take On Badgers Next In Madison
#16 Michigan (13-7-0, 5-1-0-0) vs. Wisconsin (2-13-3, 0-3-1)
9:00 p.m. Friday 1/23, 8:00 p.m. Saturday 1/24
TV: Friday: BTN, Saturday None. Follow along on the Michigan Radio Network 1050 a.m. WTKA (Al Randall, Bill Trainor)

Rewinding Last Week’s Game:

It’s beginning to sound like a broken record (or CD for you younger readers.) The Wolverine hockey team is beginning to assert the tremendous offensive talent they possess, albeit at the demise of any defensive game. Nonetheless, the Maize and Blue, fresh off a sweep of Minnesota, marched into Value City Arena for a single weekend game against Ohio State and thrashed the Buckeyes, 10-6.

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Senior Zach Hyman continued his torrid offensive pace by potting the first two goals of the game and the Wolverines never looked back. Michigan jumped out to 2-0 and 4-1 leads to conclude the opening frame. Tyler Motte also had a banner night, scoring twice and offering three helpers in the romp. Ohio State refused to go away as much as Michigan allowed them to hang around, though- an alarming trend that can’t continue against better teams. The Wolverines kept denting the twine in the second period and led 7-3 after two periods.

That is when things got too interesting, as Michigan added an 8th goal before OSU countered with three straight to cut the lead to 8-6 which chased starting goaltender Steve Racine. Michigan put the game away with a quick answer and then an empty netter for the final margin. The two teams have now combined for 27 goals in two games and will meet again in Columbus on February 21 before Michigan finally comes home to Yost Arena following an eight game, six week schedule away from friendly ice.

On Swissconsin:

Roster transition in college hockey can sometimes be a brutal thing. Take for instance this season’s addition of the BADgers- displaying some of the worst luck and brand of hockey in the Big Ten. In fairness, Wisconsin lost a large senior class and a couple of other upperclassmen to the next level. Enter eleven freshmen into a program that expects success no matter who is donning the Crimson & White.

The Badgers have been in most of their games but have succumbed to bad penalties or mental lapses. Their two wins- both at home- have been against Ferris State and Michigan Tech- one night after losing by seven goals to the Huskies. They have suffered humiliating home ice sweeps to NMU, North Dakota and Penn State. Yet, their play is not that indicative of their record. Matter of fact, the Badgers are 1-2-2 in their last five games, tying Ferris, splitting with BU and tying and losing at Minnesota last weekend. They have demonstrated the ability to play with better teams, yet have been hurt by their anemic offense (T53rd), porous defense (54th) and non-existent special teams (PP is 54th, PK is 54th.)

The leadership is not the problem- six seniors- Captain (defenseman) Chase Drake (2-2-4), Alternate Captain (forward) Joe Labate (2-6-8), Captain (forward) Brad Navin (1-3-4), forward Matt Paape (1-0-1) and goaltenders Landon Peterson (0-2-0, 3.91 GAA, ,883 Save %) and Joel Rumpel (2-11-3, 3.35 GAA, .904 Save %) have done what they could do to motivate their teammates and play through some tough times in Madison. The offense is led by sophomore Grant Besse (6-5-11) and junior Morgan Zulinick (5-5-10) who are the only two players in double digit scoring. The Badgers are barely averaging two goals per game and give up almost four- so it is easy to see why their record is one of the worst in the NCAA.

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Michigan Wolverines

Still, this is a dangerous team to play at a time where their urgency is great and the pressure is seemingly low. The Badgers are big and physical, yet do not take an adverse amount of penalties. The big Olympic ice sheet at the Kohl Center doesn’t usually lend to physical encounters- but look for Wisconsin to try to intimidate and slow down Michigan’s skill players. Considering the Wolverine’s penchant for defensive lapses, it may be the recipe the Badgers need to steal a game or two, especially if Rumpel gets hot- which he can do. Michigan has not fared well on the road (2-5), so that may play a factor in a raucous setting.

If the Wolverines continue their offensive onslaught and take the crowd- and the Badgers out of both games early- they will come home with points. The Wolverines are best not tested on the PP, either as the Badgers are yielding PPG’s in buckets and Michigan is now ranked 5th in the country on the PP to go with their overall #1 ranked offense at 4.15 GPG. My gut feel says a split this weekend, something that Michigan- on the precipice of an at-large NCAA PWR position- cannot afford.

Wolverine Notes:

• Zach Hyman (13-16-29) +14 leads the Wolverines offense, followed by freshman Dylan Larkin (8-17-25) and sophomore Tyler Motte (7-14-21). Eight other players are in double digit points.

• Sophomore Zach Nagelvoort (7-6-0, 2.81 GAA, .904 Save %) and Steve Racine (6-1-0, 3.39 GAA, .900 Save %) continue to share netminding duties. Nagelvoort has relieved Racine in goal the past two games.

• Sophomore defenseman Nolan DeJong (0-4-4) was a +4 in last week’s OSU game. He replaced the injured freshman Cutler Martin in the lineup.

• Senior Travis Lynch (5-2-7) is out of the lineup indefinitely with a broken hand suffered in the Saturday win over Minnesota two weeks ago.

• Michigan currently holds the longest win streak in the nation (5).

• Freshman Dylan Larkin was named Big Ten #1 Star of the week for his performance at OSU.

• Michigan is 64-54-8 all time versus the Badgers, but have dropped their last four meetings in Madison. Their last win was a 4-3 victory on 11/24/06. The Wolverines dropped both games last season in Madison and then won and tied at Yost.

• Freshmen defender Zach Werenski (3-12-15) is second in Big Ten offense from the blueline. Overall, Michigan’s blue liners have contributed 60 points (12-48) and are ranked #5 in the NCAA.

• Michigan’s freshmen class is ranked #4 in scoring, (18-43-61).

• Wisconsin defenseman Eddie Wittchow is suspended for both games this weekend due to a skirmish at the end of the Minnesota loss last Saturday.

• Michigan will return to the JLA next weekend for a single game against MSU.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Yostmeister

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