Detroit 13, Michigan 9

Quick thoughts from yesterday afternoon. More in-depth analysis later.

Although Michigan kept it interesting well into the third quarter (and threatened to make it so again in the fourth), the Battle for Michigan ultimately turned out as expected. The Titans were the faster team, both in terms of sheer speed and game speed.

Although each team made their share of plays, the Titans managed to go on an 11-5 run after falling behind 4-2, and that was the difference in the game.

Tempo Free

From the official box score, a look at the tempo-free stats:

The faceoffs did not go at all like I was expecting. Brandon Davenport had some decent success against Brian Greiner, although it seemed like Michigan’s FOGO controlled more of the draws, but the wing play for Detroit was leaps and bounds better. I would take this outcome as a negative for the Wolverines before a positive for the Titans, as far as predictive measures go.

The clears went as expected, and I’m a little bit surprised that Michigan didn’t run more of their 10-man ride after seeing some early success with it. The fastbreak goals they gave up were not on account of broken rides, so it seemed like a worthwhile straegy to continue using. Coming the other way, Michigan’s inexperience showed on their failed clears. A couple of them were failure to advance when the plays were there to be made with a little more composure.

As for efficiency, Detroit’s experience showed there as well. They were composed in the 6v6, and Michigan wasn’t. The Wolverines played with wide eyes at times, and that was the difference in the game.

Notes

Doug Bryant scored the first two goals in Michigan’s Division-1 existence. Although he was held off the scoresheet for the remainder of the game, he’ll go down in history.

Michigan started the game 2-0, and held a 4-2 lead during the second quarter, but the Titans mostly dominated from there. They drew it even at 5-5 by halftime, and went on an 11-5 run overall by the time Michigan stopped the bleeding with a late goal.

For the Titans’ offense, Joel Matthews and Alex Maini put up five points apiece. Shayne Adams scored four goals without any assists. Against a short-handed defense like Michigan’s we finally got to see that chemistry we’ve been expecting from the beginning of the year. Hopefully, they can maintain that going forward.

There was a bit of chippiness during the course of the game, and a lot of chirping. That’s to be expected from a rivalry game – albeit one in its inaugural contest.

Up Next

Both teams hit the road, with Michigan taking on Big Ten rival Penn State in State College and Detroit heading doen to Chapel HIll to face North Carolina. Both games take place on Saturday.

Both are tall tasks early in the season, and each team has its work cut out for it.