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The No. 5 Michigan hockey team has faced a surprising challenge in the early stages of the season - their power play, once a dominant force, has sputtered, scoring on just 14.7% of their opportunities. Despite the team's overall success, the power play's struggles have become a point of concern for the coaching staff and fans alike.

Unlocking the Key to Power Play Prowess

A Shift in Dynamics

The Wolverines' power play unit has undergone a significant transformation from last season, with the departure of several key contributors. While the team boasts a wealth of talent, rebuilding the chemistry and cohesion that fueled their previous success has proven to be a work in progress. As associate coach Rob Rassey noted, "We turned over a lot from our power play unit last year that was very successful. And (for the new guys), it's going to click. It's just a matter of time."

Searching for Consistency

Through the first 10 games of the season, the Wolverines have managed to score just five power-play goals, a far cry from the dominant unit that accounted for nearly one-third of their total goals a year ago. Coach Brandon Naurato, a special teams specialist, has expressed his desire to see the power play become the best in the country, but acknowledges that it will take time to reach that level of performance.

Glimpses of Potential

Despite the overall struggles, the Wolverines have shown flashes of their power play prowess, particularly in their recent series against Boston University. In those two games, they managed to score three power-play goals, providing a glimpse of what the unit is capable of when firing on all cylinders. Naurato noted that the team didn't do anything "special" on the power play, but rather, they were finally able to capitalize on the opportunities they had been creating.

Adapting to a New Landscape

The loss of key contributors from last season's power play unit has forced the Wolverines to adapt and find new ways to generate offense with the man advantage. While the team has found success in other areas, the power play's struggles have become a point of focus for the coaching staff, who are determined to unlock the unit's full potential.

Weathering the Storm

Despite the power play's woes, the Wolverines have managed to find ways to win games without relying heavily on their special teams. Last season, power-play goals accounted for nearly one-third of their total goal output, but this year, that figure has dropped to around one-sixth. This resilience has allowed the team to weather the storm, but Naurato and his staff remain unsatisfied, eager to see the power play reach the heights it has achieved in the past.