SOUTH BEND – Michigan coach Mel Pearson takes part in Friday’s competition between the № 2 Michigan and № 9 Notre Dame hockey teams described care in the rapid reacclimatization of his four Olympians and their reintegration into his growing team.
“We have this (great chemistry) now,” Pearson said Monday. “Цяпер And now we have four indeed good players are coming back, but our team was so well-coordinated, so good that you don’t want to mess with it. “
Wolverines loss before Fighting Irish confirmed Pearson’s concerns.
Michigan struggled to find a rhythm on both sides of the ice throughout the affair, failing to create an offense by allowing a mirage of breaks and dangerous attempts against second-year goalkeeper Eric Partil.
The wrestlers who returned to Wolverine – second-year strikers Mattie Beniers, Brendan Brisson and Kent Johnson and second-year defender Owen Power – could not have a positive effect. Sometimes they receded into the background, actively hindering Michigan’s chances on others. A few more days off from international travel and returning to the ice with his teammates could help them get back to their original form, but the Wolverines don’t have time.
On Friday, this lack of time caught up with them when Michigan failed to score and allowed № 4 Minnesota to overtake them in the Big Ten standings, remaining just one regular-season game.
While the four Olympians will undoubtedly strengthen Michigan in the long run, their infusion into Wolverine has disrupted the team’s chemistry by sending Michigan back to earth after he got a bright streak of seven wins.
“We just played in a certain style,” said senior forward Michael Pastuzhov. “(Olympians) just have to look at what we do and what works, and how to get back to our style of play and what we do.”
The Olympics ’skating competition in Michigan’s winning style was evident throughout the competition. Seven minutes before the end of the second period, “Ramakhi” managed to set up an offensive in the attack zone. Brisson kept the puck in the slot, moving slowly toward the goal. His control of the stick attracted defense, leaving Power open on the right wing. Power raised the stick in the air, preparing to get a pass from Brissone to run one timer into the net.
This pass never came.
Instead, Bryson held the puck for a couple more moments before his usually accurate shot left him as the puck flew harmlessly over the net. Such flaws were fierce throughout the night, for example, Benier and Johnson at one point physically collided with each other during a power play of the third period.
“They’re great players,” said assistant head coach Bill Mukalt. “Given the travel and the stay there tonight was a tough game.”
Fighting Irish’s fourth goal – scored in a Michigan power game with an empty net and less than a minute before the end – embodied the struggle of the Olympians.
Notre Dame defender Spencer Stustney snatched the puck from Power on the blue line and ran to the empty net. Officials then killed the game after Brissane tripped over Stun’s undisputed stick, leading to an automatic goal, and Power was disappointed to run the puck into the glass after the whistle.
“It’s hard to go abroad (and) change the style of play, come back and come back to it right away,” Pastuzhau said. “I think tomorrow they’ll be great, it’s great that they’re back.”
Due to the end of the conference race and farewell to the first weekend of the Big Ten tournament, “Raamahi” returned their four best skaters. They were present on Friday, but not well enough.
Tomorrow Michigan will need them to be great.