Michigan Hockey: Michigan/MSU Hockey City Classic Preview

Posted at 7:00pm — 2/7/2015

Michigan Wolverine Hockey: Michigan/MSU Hockey City Classic Preview

U-M Icers Frustrated by Spartans, Resumes Series At Hockey City Classic In Chicago
#14 Michigan (15-8-0, 7-2-0-0) vs. MSU (10-11-2, 4-3-2)
Time: TBD (Ice issues) Saturday 2/7
TV: Friday: BTN. Follow along on the Michigan Radio Network 1050 a.m. WTKA (Al Randall, Bill Trainor) There is a chance that the game may be cancelled due to poor ice conditions.

Rewinding Last Week’s Game:

Last Friday Michigan traveled to Detroit to take on the Spartans at Joe Louis Arena. The Wolverines found to going slow as MSU played a “not to lose” style- trapping and forming a five skater wall at their blue line. The strategy frustrated the Wolverines all night and forced an early turnover as Michigan was changing their defensive pairing. The ensuing two on one break led to a deflected shot by Villiam Haag past Zach Nagelvoort spotting the Spartans a 1-0 lead. Michigan Freshman phenom Dylan Larkin tied the game on a late PP goal, snapping a shot far side. The game remained knotted at 1-1 until the third period when MSU closed off the boards in the Michigan end and pinned the Wolverines deep.

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Freshman defenseman Cutler Martin reversed a clearing attempt around the boards and forward Boo Nieves let the pass go to the point. MSU beat Michigan to the puck and their defenseman floated a shot that was deftly deflected by Matt DeBlouw and then off of Martin (as he was trying to cover DeBlouw) and past Nagelvoort. Michigan didn’t really threaten after that-many of their chances were blocked- and suffered a tough defeat. It snapped a long winning streak and brought to task how Michigan needs to compete harder in tight games that offer little room for error.

Spartan Surge:

MSU enters this weekend in third place six points behind first place Penn State and five points behind Michigan for the B1G Ten lead. They have now won three straight games and have settled into a Ron Mason-esque defensive style, backed by arguably their top player, goaltender Jake Hildebrand. The junior netminder is 10-11-2 on the season with a 2.35 GAA and a .920 save %. Hildebrand has single handedly won games this season and has stymied Michigan’s offense the last two seasons. The Spartan defense is big and rugged led by juniors Travis Walsh (2-10-12), Rhett Holland (1-2-3) and John Draeger (0-2-2).

Holland has earned two of his three points against Michigan, including the assist on the winning goal last Friday night. The offense is a depressing 45th in the NCAA, averaging 2.30 GPG. The Spartan defense yields 2.39 GOG (23rd.) It is easy to see that if this team gains a lead like it did twice last weekend, they will close ranks and play lock it down hockey. The little bit of offense they generate comes from an aggressive forecheck. Senior Matt Berry (8-8-16), junior Captain Michael Ferrantino (9-6-15), sophomore Mackenzie MacEachern (6-8-14) and senior Brent Darnell (2-10-12) pace the offense.

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The MSU strategy is simple: play physical and force turnovers while allowing their opponents no space. Take the lead and settle in. It has worked against better individually skilled teams like Michigan and Minnesota and could work in a short B1G Ten tournament format- at JLA this season- for a bid to the NCAA tourney that will not come for them in any other way. On the other hand, MSU is not a huge come from behind team, so it is imperative for Michigan to grab the lead and not give up anything the Spartans will not have to work hard to earn. Playing outdoors will give the Spartans an advantage in that the ice surface will not help a smooth skating and skill dependent team. It is a perfect atmosphere mix of grit, dirty goals and style that will give MSU an advantage.

Wolverine Notes:

• Zach Hyman (16-20-36) continues to pace the Wolverines offense, followed by freshman Dylan Larkin (10-20-30). Hyman is garnering serious Hobey Baker talk and sits 5th overall in scoring in the NCAA. Captain Andrew Copp and sophomore Tyler Motte have chipped in 23 points. Twelve Wolverines are in double digits this season.

• Sophomore Zach Nagelvoort (9-7-0, 2.52 GAA, .910 Save %) and Steve Racine (6-1-0, 3.64 GAA, .892 Save %) continue to share netminding duties. Nagelvoort has started the two games.

• The Wolverines rank 1st in offense (4.22 GPG) and 3rd in PP% (25.00%) while dropping to 42nd and 44th in defense and penalty killing, respectively.

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• Michigan currently sits 16th in the pairwise rankings, dropping from 12th prior to last week’s MSU game. In other words, unless they were to win the B1G Ten tourney and gain an automatic bid, they would not qualify for the NCAA tourney. That is how damaging it is losing games right now, especially to sub-.500 teams.

• Boo Nieves, who missed the Wisconsin road series sweep, was back in the lineup last Friday. He was suffering from an illness.

• The Wolverines continue their monster road trip with a showdown next weekend in Minnesota.

• If the Chicago Hockey City Classic game is postponed, it is rumored that it will be moved back to Yost arena.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Yostmeister

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