Midseason Report: SNL Line and Defensive Duo Leading Wolverines
12/22/2018 6:08:00 PM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team heads into the holiday break with a 6-7-4 overall record and a 2-4-4-2 Big Ten Conference mark after a first half that has seen highs and lows.
First-Half Highlights
• The 'SNL' Line: Michigan's top line of Jake Slaker, Josh Norris and Will Lockwood has accounted for 42 percent (22/53) of the team's goals thus far and has recorded a combined 47 points.
• Free Hockey: Michigan has played in five overtime contests this season, with all coming in the last seven games. U-M played in seven total overtime contests all of last season and just three during the 2016-17 season.
• Scoring Touch: Michigan has had 17 goal-scorers this season, which includes four first-time goal-scorers in the maize and blue.
The Highs
Michigan earned its lone weekend sweep of the first half when it defeated St. Lawrence in two games (Oct. 26-27) in Ann Arbor. Other notable wins came against No. 6-ranked Notre Dame on Friday, Nov. 9, at Yost Ice Arena and a come-from-behind victory at No. 5-ranked Penn State Friday, Nov. 16. The Wolverines nearly came from behind to earn another win the following night in Happy Valley, scoring four goals in the third period, but ultimately lost in overtime, 7-6.
The Lows
The Wolverines rank second in the country with an average of 36.9 shots per game and have had multiple games turn out on the wrong end despite holding the advantage in shots and offensive opportunities.
In the season opener against Vermont, Michigan lost, 5-2, despite holding a 50-23 advantage in shots. Michigan also outshot Michigan State by a combined 81-47 over a weekend series in which the Spartans took five of six points from U-M. In the final game of the first half, the Wolverines dropped a 4-3 decision to Minnesota despite holding a 53-28 edge in shots.
The Offense
With 13 different forwards scoring at least once this season, the Wolverines have been a strong force in the offensive zone. Josh Norris leads Michigan in goal scoring with 10 this season and is tied for third in the Big Ten and 10th in the nation. Norris has recorded points in 14 of 17 games this season. In addition, Nick Pastujov has scored eight goals, doubling his total season goals from last season, and has the second-most goals for the Wolverines.
Michigan's top line of Jake Slaker, Norris and Will Lockwood has combined for a total of 47 points and has accounted for 42 percent of the team's goals.
Looking ahead, Michigan will need key forwards such as redshirt sophomore Luke Morgan to step forward and add to the team's offensive output. Morgan dressed for 36 games his rookie season at Lake Superior State and finished with 22 points (7G, 15A). This season, he has seven points (2G, 5A) with the Maize and Blue.
The Wolverines' power-play unit started the season red hot, recording nine goals in the first five games. Even though the 19.8 man-up percentage still ranks 18th in the country, U-M's special teams units have been able to produce only two goals in the last seven games over a combined 30 opportunities.
The Defense
Captain Joseph Cecconi and sophomore Quinn Hughes have been a force in the offensive end. They are the top-scoring defensive pairing in the Big Ten with a combined 33 points. With 17 assists, Hughes is the top defender in the nation for assists and ranks fourth overall. Also, his 20 total points (3G, 17A) sit him tied for 15th in the nation.
Cecconi has a total of 12 assists and one goal this season and will look to surpass last year's 27 points (5G, 22A), which was a career high. Cecconi also sits atop the team in blocked shots with 38, which ranks ninth in the nation.
Freshman blue-liner Nick Blankenburg has emerged as a force in both ends of the ice, chipping in with a three points (1G, 2A) while leading the squad with a plus-three rating.
The Goalies
This season, Strauss Mann and Hayden Lavigne have split time between the pipes. Mann made his collegiate debut at Western Michigan on Oct. 20 and made 19 saves. Mann has an overall .882 save percentage this season, playing in 10 games and starting nine.
Lavigne has an overall .877 save percentage this season and has started all eight games he has played in. Last season, Lavigne had an incredible second half of the season and helped Michigan to the Frozen Four with a .908 save percentage.
Both goalies have showed positive glimpses as the season has progressed and will look for more consistency to lead Michigan in the second half.
Second-Half Outlook
Michigan will look to improve its overall record in the second half of the season with the majority of its games being on the road. Only five out of the 17 games left in the season will be played in Yost Ice Arena, the first of which is scheduled for Jan. 8 against Merrimack. The road stretch will be filled with exciting venues starting with the Great Lakes Invitational at Little Caesars Arena on Dec. 30-31, an outdoor game at Notre Dame Stadium on Jan. 5, a game against Penn State in Madison Square Garden on Jan. 26, and then back to Little Caesars Arena Feb. 9 against Michigan State in the annual "Duel in the D."
Up Ahead
The Wolverines are set to face off against Michigan Tech in the Great Lakes Invitational on Dec. 30 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit with puck drop at 1 p.m. The next day, Michigan will take on either Lake Superior State or Michigan State to conclude the annual tournament. Michigan leads the all-time series over Michigan Tech, 125-94-5.
