Michigan Hockey 22-23, new coach, new players, new era

[QU/UM]

Again, yes, Portillo kept the team in the game. But to not say that both of those goals were not mistakes is ignoring what happened. He didn't move to the pipe when the puck went behind the net.

Then again, many times during the game, he got into situations that he could not get up, or was just not that mobile. It was almost as if he was sick- as they did mention that Hughes was sick during the game.

Hughes had a really, really bad game, too. Like horrible. To the point I would question NJ if they brought him to the team this weekend. And it was hardly unique. Maybe he was sick. Granted, the assist he made was really solid. Made up for him letting that breakaway happen.

Still, we've seen this before, and it was clear QU did, too. Along with the suffocating D play, they were really aggressive and hard skating to the puck, and maybe even forced those mistakes.

My point is that I see fans here, on Twitter, on MGoBlog, etc. blaming Portillo for the loss. He gets a share of the blame, no doubt. But I think he is getting too much of it. Michigan needed to score more that 2 goals or it was going to be tough to win this game. The D needed to minimize the brain farts, they had just enough of them to lose. There is responsibility all around. And credit to QU, which you absolutely gave.

[model94]

Yeah, I couldn't understand why twice he was so badly out of position when the puck was behind the net allowing the bank shots off him. He should have ben tight against the post! If those two goals didn't happen the games outcome may have been different.

There were a number of posts, crossbars and other assorted close calls that could have pushed the total higher too. This loss definitely did not land on the goalie. MI got beat handily, all around.

[Puckstopper467]

Typical for UM base always blame the coach, goalie or a QB for their weak defeat

[MichVandal]

My point is that I see fans here, on Twitter, on MGoBlog, etc. blaming Portillo for the loss. He gets a share of the blame, no doubt. But I think he is getting too much of it. Michigan needed to score more that 2 goals or it was going to be tough to win this game. The D needed to minimize the brain farts, they had just enough of them to lose. There is responsibility all around. And credit to QU, which you absolutely gave.

Well, other than you and me, there haven't been any Michigan fans who have posted anything. And while I've pointed out Portillo's issues, the blame goes as much to the team as it does to QU. If not more to QU given how hard they played.

Mgoblog (I'm not a member) are very reactionary- as I read them. Some of them could not accept Naurato as coach until we beat PSU- which is kinda nuts considering how he dug them out of some really bad play around the new year. They are a lot more vocal about us having now a 26 year gap in titles.

Don't read into other posters here as "fans"- there are hardly any Michigan fans who post anymore. Heck, I've seen a fan of another team just posted to gloat, I'm sure (I have them on ignore). If I get their allegiance right, they could not bother to even score a goal against PSU, so their gloating right now is all jealousy as far as I'm concerned.

[MichVandal]

Typical for UM base always blame the coach, goalie or a QB for their weak defeat

Yea, that never happens at other schools and program. Never. Everyone at all schools who have struggled for years rallied around their lack of good play.

Give me a break.

[J.D.]

Typical for UM base always blame the coach, goalie or a QB for their weak defeat

Why was losing to QU a weak defeat? It's also fair to acknowledge that Portillo made some great saves but then got beat on some routine plays. To give up the early goal in the 3rd on that play is a back breaker (I am not a Michigan fan).

[Hockeybuckeye]

A loss is a team effort. Yes Portillo messed up allowing two goals that shouldn't have happened but what about the defense allowing Quinnipiac getting the shot off or getting through the neutral zone or the offense not scoring enough? You can never really blame just one player, it just looks easy to do at times.

[MichVandal]

Fantilli gets the Hobey. Now we wonder if he will be back.

But time for a celebration! Even a minor one.

[kjaskolski]

Well, other than you and me, there haven't been any Michigan fans who have posted anything. And while I've pointed out Portillo's issues, the blame goes as much to the team as it does to QU. If not more to QU given how hard they played.

Mgoblog (I'm not a member) are very reactionary- as I read them. Some of them could not accept Naurato as coach until we beat PSU- which is kinda nuts considering how he dug them out of some really bad play around the new year. They are a lot more vocal about us having now a 26 year gap in titles.

Don't read into other posters here as "fans"- there are hardly any Michigan fans who post anymore. Heck, I've seen a fan of another team just posted to gloat, I'm sure (I have them on ignore). If I get their allegiance right, they could not bother to even score a goal against PSU, so their gloating right now is all jealousy as far as I'm concerned.

I am a long time season ticket holder and was at the game last night. It was definitely a team loss, Q had an excellent gameplan, and was able to stick to it and they deserved to win.

Definitely a team loss. Q had clearly scouted Portillo and exploited a weakness with his positioning. But on the other hand, Portillo made a slew of big time saves on odd man rushes and other very good chances. In my mind, it was a wash, with the 2-3 goals that maybe he wishes he had one or two back, versus all the other big saves he came up with.

Q controlled most of the game, michigan had their stretches, but for the first time since the ND / OSU series to end the regular season, they could not generate much sustained offensive pressure, especially when the Fantilli line was not on the ice.

Q is really well coached, had a really good gameplan, and stuck to it, and IMO they deserved to win the game.

For those who outside the program have been lampooning Naurato's comments on how they still "won the season" even though they did not win the title, that is your opinion for sure.

But, this team/program had a challenging year (a lot of it self with the Pearson stuff), but to lose Ian Hume, and then the sickness that ran through the program and sent Holtz to the hospital and on a ventilator and at one point some uncertainty if he would survive, i think this team achieved a lot.

They really were a "team", that came together and had a good run, and their togetherness was clear down the stretch, into today's Hobey ceremony when the whole team stuck around and was fortunate to be able to celebrate with Fantilli after he won the Hobey.

[MichVandal]

I am a long time season ticket holder and was at the game last night. It was definitely a team loss, Q had an excellent gameplan, and was able to stick to it and they deserved to win.

Definitely a team loss. Q had clearly scouted Portillo and exploited a weakness with his positioning. But on the other hand, Portillo made a slew of big time saves on odd man rushes and other very good chances. In my mind, it was a wash, with the 2-3 goals that maybe he wishes he had one or two back, versus all the other big saves he came up with.

Q controlled most of the game, michigan had their stretches, but for the first time since the ND / OSU series to end the regular season, they could not generate much sustained offensive pressure, especially when the Fantilli line was not on the ice.

Q is really well coached, had a really good gameplan, and stuck to it, and IMO they deserved to win the game.

For those who outside the program have been lampooning Naurato's comments on how they still "won the season" even though they did not win the title, that is your opinion for sure.

But, this team/program had a challenging year (a lot of it self with the Pearson stuff), but to lose Ian Hume, and then the sickness that ran through the program and sent Holtz to the hospital and on a ventilator and at one point some uncertainty if he would survive, i think this team achieved a lot.

They really were a "team", that came together and had a good run, and their togetherness was clear down the stretch, into today's Hobey ceremony when the whole team stuck around and was fortunate to be able to celebrate with Fantilli after he won the Hobey.

Mid season, I was quite concerned. Even after the OSU debacle questioning out loud what are they practicing, as it's apparently not hockey. And then reading about Naurato's theories without actually knowing anything. What I was most upset about then was that the chronic defensive zone problem we've had for a couple of decades was getting worse. Up to then, it seemed that we were winning based on our talent alone- which happens in the beginning of a season. And I will admit to dismissing how serious all of November was in terms of how it played out.

Then everything turned to us.

The team seemed to get what he was intending, and he seemed to find a way to communicate what needs to change. And after that, they got better and better. The chronic defensive zone problems slowly got cleaned up, and just as important, patience against defensive teams was starting to emerge. Let alone really bad mistakes were actually dealt with (that PSU game we were down 2-0 immediately).

For sure, it was a win of a season, for all reasons you mentioned.

Once the NHL comes calling, Naurato will have all off season to shape the team to get off to a better start to the season with how he wants them to play. And somehow, the coaches have figured out a way to make the freshmen feel totally part of the team really quickly so that there's not a gap in being a team.

We are pretty excited about the future.

As much as it would be great to see Fantilli stay, I'm content with the season he gave us.

[model94]

Well, other than you and me, there haven't been any Michigan fans who have posted anything. And while I've pointed out Portillo's issues, the blame goes as much to the team as it does to QU. If not more to QU given how hard they played.

Mgoblog (I'm not a member) are very reactionary- as I read them. Some of them could not accept Naurato as coach until we beat PSU- which is kinda nuts considering how he dug them out of some really bad play around the new year. They are a lot more vocal about us having now a 26 year gap in titles.

Don't read into other posters here as "fans"- there are hardly any Michigan fans who post anymore. Heck, I've seen a fan of another team just posted to gloat, I'm sure (I have them on ignore). If I get their allegiance right, they could not bother to even score a goal against PSU, so their gloating right now is all jealousy as far as I'm concerned.

We lost because we weren't very good. It would be refreshing for others here to be as simple and direct. And your "ignore" must not be working very well, I see you are responding anyway.

[ZYanksRule]

We lost because we weren't very good. It would be refreshing for others here to be as simple and direct. And your "ignore" must not be working very well, I see you are responding anyway.

You weren't very good? You guys were in the Frozen Four! You were pretty damn good. I agree that your team didn't play much defense and your goalie wasn't good enough on Thursday, but this idea that you weren't very good? You were the most skilled team QU played all year. You guys were very good, you just ran into a team that plays a perfect style for stopping high-skill teams.

I hope my program never gets to a point where we think a Frozen Four team "wasn't very good."

[MichVandal]

Hughes signs with New Jersey. https://www.nhl.com/news/luke-hughes...ls/c-343267282

ZYanks- you replied to someone who is not a Michigan fan. Just a person jealous of what Michigan can do, and wants the world know how he feels so poorly on his own team because he thinks they can't do what teams like Michigan and Minnesota can do. In spite of the path that teams like QU and even Minnesota St have shown them. And because of their team failures, they have to lash out to other teams and their fans. Guys like him are easy to predict what they are posting given their total lack of confidence in their own team.

[Puckstopper467]

more top players now leaving from this season, happening every year. if you think this is a remedy to win a national championship then Well Have at it....
the final 4 is the new national championship for UM

[MichVandal]

more top players now leaving from this season, happening every year. if you think this is a remedy to win a national championship then Well Have at it....
the final 4 is the new national championship for UM

If you think this is a new thing and just because our coaches have been able to recruit well, ok. Good for you. But it happened well before we had any turn over, it happened when one or two players would leave a year early, and now it's happened when players only stay one or two season.

But if you are happy NOT making the FF, have at it. I know the Tech haters like to throw that "problem" out a lot, but the last time they made the FF was in 1981, when Mel Pearson was playing.

It's funny how people lash out in their jealousy in not being able to get the high draft picks. Petty jealousy. Have at that, too.