Michigan Hockey 17-18, Game #3: Michigan 4, Vermont 1
Hello, there, Old Friend [Bill Rapai]
OFFENSE
Corsi |
House* |
Possession % |
|
First Period |
27 | 9 | 77% |
Second Period |
19 | 9 | 58% |
Third Period |
27 | 9 | 61% |
Overtime |
n/a | n/a | n/a |
TOTAL |
73 | 27 | 65% |
Analysis: Wow. This is very different from last season. Michigan basically controlled the puck for the entire game. They got into the slot –and crease- with relative ease. The Wolverines could easily have had multiple goals in the first half of the game, if not for some all-world net-minding from Steffanos Lekkas. Norris and Lockwood both had a few Grade A chances that were denied. Once Lockwood broke the ice on a breakaway, the dam pretty much came crashing down. Michigan literally shot from all over the offensive zone. They were high volume/high percentage from the House. I do not remember seeing Michigan controlling the puck the way they did tonight in…years?
[Hit THE JUMP for defense, goaltending, special teams, and more]
DEFENSE
Corsi |
House |
Possession % |
|
First Period |
8 | 4 | 23% |
Second Period |
14 | 4 | 42% |
Third Period |
17 | 5 | 39% |
Overtime |
n/a | n/a | n/a |
TOTAL |
39 | 13 | 35% |
Analysis: Michigan’s defense looks very much improved. Aside from a few breakdowns, they cleared their zone well, they stayed in front of shooters, they pressed guys who had the puck, and they clogged the passing lanes. Not until the game was mostly decided did Vermont create anything remotely scary offensively. Quinn Hughes moves so well and distributes the puck with ease. I also thought Michigan’s defensemen were very physical with the attackers and gave them very little room. Just look at the contrast in possession stats. We figured Michigan’s defense would improve this season. This is a very good sign.
Josh Norris had some whistlers tonight [Bill Rapai]
SPECIAL TEAMS
PP For |
PP Against |
PP Corsi For |
PP Corsi Against |
PP Shots/Min For |
PP Shots/Min Against |
|
First Period |
0/2 | 0/1 | 4 | 4 | .75 | .5 |
Second Period |
0/2 | 0/2 | 7 | 4 | 1 | .75 |
Third Period |
0/1 | 1/1 | 3 | 1 | .00 | .5 |
Overtime |
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
TOTAL |
0/5 | 1/4 | 14 | 9 | .70 | .625 |
Analysis: Michigan tried a couple a couple of different power plays tonight. One had a guy on each post with two wingers and a QB up top. Hughes had an unreal cross ice pass to Lockwood, who was probably so shocked that he forgot to shoot. They went back to the 1-3-1 later and got a couple of looks. Michigan didn’t convert, but this seems to be a unit that is still figuring out what they want to do. The goal is about a shot/minute. They ended with seven shots in ten minutes. The penalty kill was great. At one point, Vermont had a 5v3 and Michigan found a way to kill it. The goal was a shot from the wing that LaFontaine saw all the way. I think they can live with that. Vermont had five shots in 8 minutes. That’s acceptable.
GOALTENDING
Shots Faced |
Shots from House Faced |
|
First Period |
5 | 3 |
Second Period |
5 | 3 |
Third Period |
6 | 1 |
Overtime |
n/a | n/a |
TOTAL |
16 | 7 |
Analysis: Jack LaFontaine started in net, and he didn’t have to do a whole lot. Michigan’s defense had a few minor breakdowns that led to a couple of good chances, but he was equal to those. The lone goal came on the power play on a rush to JLF’s right. Ross Colton ripped a snapshot from outside and below the dot and it beat JLF five-hole. It was a nice shot, but LaFontaine could see it clearly the whole way. I’m guessing he’ll want that back. Vermont also hit the post from the high slot late in the third, but that was mostly it. I’m guessing they’ll alternate goalies for tomorrow night, but it would not be due to poor performance.
ODD-MAN RUSHES
Rushes |
Advantages |
Escape % |
|
First Period |
1 | 3v1 | 100% |
Second Period |
1 | 2v1 | 100% |
Third Period |
0 | n/a | n/a |
Overtime |
n/a | n/a | n/a |
TOTAL |
2 | 3v1, 2v1 | 100% |
Analysis: Michigan gave up only two odd-man rushes tonight. The first was a bad 3v1 that Cecconi made an incredible dive to stop it. He then followed it up with a penalty…so that was less than ideal. The second OMR was a 2v1 where the shooter missed high. These will happen in hockey, so giving up a couple is meh. The defense was more disciplined as a whole and held their positioning in all three areas of the ice with a lot more consistency. If this continues, you have to feel very comfortable about the situations that the goaltending will be in.
FINAL CORSI NUMBERS
I had: Michigan 73, Vermont 39
www.collegehockeynews.com had: Michigan 71, Opponent 47
*[Ed. A- house is the same thing as the home plate area in hockey which extends from the goalposts to the faceoff dots, then from the dots to the top of the circle, then from the top of one circle horizontally to the top of the other. It's basically where you want to take your shots from and where you don't want your opponent taking theirs. Here's a bit more on it from Rob Vollman's Stat Shot]
October 20th, 2017 at 11:39 PM ^
Pretty sure I just saw a disguised Dominik Hasek in the crease for Vermont tonight. Damn that guy was good.
October 20th, 2017 at 11:46 PM ^
Wow, that's different from like every single write-up from last year. How many times did we win Corsi last season? It wasn't many. And progress in odd-man rushes is expected and extremely welcome.
October 21st, 2017 at 2:15 AM ^
Yeah, it was very few. Maybe...4-5? Even when Michigan won games it was because of special teams success or outstanding goaltending. I was unable to write-up the first weekend because the shot charts did not differentiate between special teams and 5v5...so the numbers were completely skewed. However, from what I can tell, this season is off to a much better start, in terms of puck possession and attempts at the net...let alone hanging the goalie out to dry on OMRs.
October 20th, 2017 at 11:51 PM ^
There goes my low-cost maple syrup. I'm okay with that. Michigan maple is superior quality.
October 21st, 2017 at 12:53 AM ^
Thanks for doing these. I'm up in Port Huron coaching hockey and couldn't attend. Love these and love how this one read.
October 21st, 2017 at 2:12 AM ^
Thank you for reading. I will do as many as I able to do. Football season makes it tough, but I should be able to do almost every game after November...with a handful between now and then.
October 21st, 2017 at 1:52 AM ^
Love the analysis & statistical breakdown. Would help to have a little more explanation of what the numbers in the charts mean, though. I'm afraid I'm not quite enough of a hockey nerd to know what I'm looking at with the Corsi & House numbers (does "house" just mean "shots on goal from in the house"?). Having that built in to the charts in some way, kinda like how on the Hennechart you can mouse over the abbreviations for an explanation, would be helpful.
Always glad to have some more hockey content on here, though, regardless. Looking forward to more, I hope.
October 21st, 2017 at 2:10 AM ^
Yes, I designated 'House' instead of 'Home Plate' because it's easier and shorter. And, yes, it is shots or attempts (whichever is relevant to the compartment) inside the House area. I'd like to add 'rollover' definitions, but I'm still learning the software/programs, etc. If you have in depth questions about how/what I'm doing, feel free to tweet/email me. I'm honestly just trying to add more hockey content/coverage/understanding to the MGoLibrary.
Corsi is 5v5 attempts at the net...so, goals/saves/blocks/misses combined. Basically, anytime you are trying to score. It is probably the best way to measure puck possession. This can provide a little more insight into how well a team played, instead of just looking at the final score...which could be attributed to a number of different factors.
So, I'm looking at how many times did you throw a puck at the net...and then how good of a scoring opportunity was that specific attempt. This is all very generic, but I think it can help with a deeper view of the game and how well a team actually played.
October 21st, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^
Awesome, thanks for the follow-up. That helps a lot!
October 21st, 2017 at 2:28 AM ^
have been waiting for years for the team to play like this... great job!
October 21st, 2017 at 6:48 AM ^
Welcome back Mel! Impressive work in the early going
October 21st, 2017 at 8:14 AM ^
for the update - couldn't go last night. Glad to hear the defense is more disciplined. Seems like the OMRs had been a problem that past 2-3 years.
October 21st, 2017 at 8:35 AM ^
We might be witnessing the rising.
Beat Penn State BTW.
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