The weekend was near-perfect, except for Saturday’s second period, where Michigan hockey eased up. Early in that period, they took two penalties, and Minnesota scored on both. Following that, Minnesota goaltender, junior Luca Di Pasquo, saved all 16 shots (!) in the third period to push the game to OT. Unfortunately for him, his defenseman made a mistake that gave Michigan forward, junior Jayden Perron, a breakaway that Di Pasquo couldn’t stop. He was impressive on the weekend, facing 100 shots (!!) and saving 92 of them.
The question, of course, is, did Michigan rally around its new netminder, freshman Stephen Peck? The answer is a resounding “Yes.” The follow up is, how did Peck play? And that answer is a soft “OK.”
Michigan defeated Minnesota 5-1 on Friday, followed by a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday. Here are three observations.
Offense? Balance is nice
Of the weekend’s eight goals, seven were scored by five different forwards, senior T.J. Hughes and Perron had two, and juniors Garrett Shifsky and Nick Moldenhauer and sophomore Michael Hage each had one. There would’ve been more, given the wretched quality of Minnesota’s defense, but Di Pasquo was amazing. He didn’t stand on his head because you’ve got to win to get that designation nor did he make physics- or logic-defying saves.
Michigan’s depth at forward is impressive and the strength of the team, with ten getting a point. Perron’s OT winner showcased his skill going in on Di Pasquo, first feinting with his forehand that the goalie didn’t bite on, then going backhand on which the goalie moved towards, then with Di Pasquo out of the picture, netted with his forehand. Captain Hughes saved the game in the second period when he intercepted a pass at the Minnesota blue line, skated around a defender, and scored five-hole. With the goals by Hage and sophomore Will Horcoff getting most of the publicity, Hughes leads Michigan hockey in points.
Defense? Sublime
It starts at the top, with seniors Tyler Duke and Luca Fantilli and sophomore Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen. who are on the ice at crucial parts of the game, especially at the end. Fantilli stepped up this weekend, seeing more ice time with Duke. He was solid, and his body positioning and stick use has become better. Although, both attributes were lacking when he took the opening penalty at the start of the second period in the second game that led to a goal.
Except for the aforementioned second period, the Michigan defense was great. They shut down Minnesota, not allowing a goal at five-on-five. The first game was impressive, especially since they held Minnesota to single digits in shot total for each period. Regardless of the goalie, you can’t play better defense than that.
Stephen Peck? Ask again later
Speaking of the goalie, Peck didn’t have to make a save until the 9:26 mark of the first period in the first game, nor did Minnesota stay in their offensive zone until 16:47 when Michigan hockey went on the penalty kill. Peck, understandably, was shaky (it’s nice to make a save right away, and he had to wait 10 minutes to finally feel the puck), and he scrambled and didn’t seem to see the puck that was eventually scored. But fears were allayed when he settled in for the second period, capped off by a tremendous save on a breakaway.
In the second game, Peck was very good, except for the second period when Michigan lost focus. Both of the power-play goals he gave up were scrambly. The first was a high shot headed for the top shelf that Peck caught but dropped into his pads and lost it. Somehow, it went under and behind him, sitting on the goal line for what felt like an eternity until Minnesota poked it in. The second goal was from the left face-off dot and beat Peck short side. There was a Minnesota player to his left, the side the puck went to, but he was square to the shooter and could see it all the way.
So, Peck lets in three power play goals and zero even strength goals all weekend. Is he good enough? It’s hard to say because of how bad Minnesota is. But Michigan has a bye weekend before going to Columbus the last weekend of January, so Michigan coach Brandon Naurato and his staff can continue to emphasize responsibility and minimize penalties. And Stephen Peck can grow into the role that has been thrust upon him.