Notre Dame 7 - Michigan 4
I'm not sure this game could have been much worse for Michigan, it was a night when every bounce found an Irish stick and every turnover found the back of Michigan's net. A game Michigan needed to have going into the CCHA tournament and the defense failed again, failing to clear pucks, turning the puck over, and not being able to match the intensity that the Irish brought.
The first period started rough with two Wolverine forwards breaking out before the puck cleared, a turnover in the defensive zone gave the Irish a gift wrapped goal. Just a few minutes later with Michigan pushing back a bad bounce off a Michigan defensemen gave the Irish an open net and a 2-0 lead. The period closed with a powerplay goal from Jon Merrill, to make it 2-1.
The second period opened with Boo Nieves scoring early to make it a 2-2 game, but Notre Dame got another bounce to go their way and another deflection off a Wolverine found it's way into an open net. Andrew Copp's shorthanded goal made it a 3-3 game but the momentum was short lived, as the relentless Irish used their speed and pounded Michigan.
The third was much of the same as another failed clear and turnover extended the Irish lead to 6-3, Notre Dame's skating was on full display and Michigan just couldn't keep up towards the end of the game. DeBlois had another shorthanded goal, but that was all we had left in the tank.
Thoughts:
1) Copp and Sinelli
I love the effort these two bring to the ice every night, it seems like they're always around the action fighting for loose pucks and making something happen. The shorthanded goal brings Copp's line to 6-5-11 on the season, they both give Michigan something to look forward too next season.
2) Boo Nieves
Wow, if you haven't noticed Boo is a special player. A goal and an assist brings him to 23 points on the season and it looks like he will finish as the teams leading scorer. Big things are coming in the future from Boo Nieves.
3) Turnovers
This has been a trademark of Jeff Jackson teams since he took over, so Michigan knew what was coming. Any kind of turnover in the neutral zone or the D-Zone is going into your net, you just can't let an explosive team like the Irish have that many chances. Rutledge had no chance tonight, Michigan fell right into Notre Dame's game.