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Botterill notches third consecutive Saturday night hat trick

Predictability is usually not considered a positive quality, except when talking about Jason Botterill of the Michigan hockey team.

The junior left wing has been extremely predictable this season, and it couldn't be more positive. Saturday night's game against Notre Dame at Yost Ice Arena was no exception.

Botterill had a hat trick -- his third straight on Saturday evenings -- and an assist in the 11-1 rout of the Irish. Botterill has been a constant force all season long, collecting 23 goals, tops on the team, and 15 assists thus far. Botterill had another hat trick against Miami (Ohio) Jan. 6 and four goals against Illinois-Chicago Jan. 13th, a team record for goals in a game by an individual.

He leads the team in power play goals with 11 and game-winning goals with four.

Botterill has not always been a constant scorer and play-maker for the Wolverine squad. He was plagued by penalty problems in his first two seasons and experienced a decline in production last season. The start of this season looked as if he was ready to travel that same road again after being slapped with two, 10-minute major penalties resulting in loss of playing time.

"Botterill has been working hard," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "He really bounced back and he is a different player than a year ago."

Botterill generally plays well against the Irish. Last season, he dumped in two goals in the 9-3 victory in late January.

DEMOLITION MEN: The Wolverines have been tearing through opponents' defenses as if they were tissue paper all season long. The Wolverines have scored five or more goals in 16 of their 24 games, and have won by at least five goals in nine of their last 11 games.

Saturday night, Michigan ripped through Notre Dame's defense, one of its major strengths. Notre Dame could not match the Wolverines in skating ability and could not keep up in transition.

"When it comes down to teams that can't skate with us, all we have to do is cycle, get open, keep it down low and we get our goals," left wing Greg Crozier said. "We've been keeping it in their zone longer (so we have been scoring).

"It feels good. I've always looked at Michigan as a powerhouse and we're keeping tradition alive. (We have to remember that) every team in this league can beat us."

MILESTONES: Junior defenseman Chris Frescoln scored his first goal of the season at 2:12 of the second period Saturday.

Frescoln received a pass from Mike Legg who was to the left of Notre Dame goalie Matt Eisler. The pass pulled Eisler out of the goal crease, practically giving Frescoln an empty net.

Frescoln became the 19th Wolverine to notch at least one goal this season.

His six assists and one goal equal his point total of his first two seasons.