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Wolverines stress defense as key to Ohio State, Bowling Green wins

Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson says the best offense is a good defense.

So far, his Wolverines have been more than pleasing, holding opponents to a league-low 38 goals -- only eight in their last six games. On the other end, Michigan's offense has been hotter than any other CCHA team, netting 114 scores, 58 in January alone.

But tonight the Wolverines (15-3-0 CCHA, 20-4-0 overall) begin a two-game road trip against a pair of the league's better defensive clubs. Michigan travels to Ohio State Friday evening at 7 o'clock and then motors back up US-23 for a matchup against Bowling Green the next night.

Although the Buckeyes (3-13-2, 5-13-2) have been the single occupant in the CCHA cellar for almost the entire season, they have had decent success keeping the puck out of their own net.

"They play a good defensive style," Berenson said. "They're a better defensive team than we've played in the last month."

It might seem crazy that the team that worries Berenson most during a two-month lull that ends with a Feb. 17 showdown with league-leading Michigan State, is last-place Ohio State.

But the Buckeyes are fifth in the conference in goals allowed with 69, trailing only nationally ranked teams and Bowling Green. Ohio State coach John Markell has rotated two experienced goaltenders, Tom Askey and Kurt Brown, in and out of the lineup all season.

Askey ranks among the nation's top ten netminders in save percentage (.908) and is tied for sixth for most saves in a game with 47 against the Falcons. he also turned aside 46 shots against Notre Dame.

And although the Buckeyes have had problems scoring (the Wolverines goal total in their last six games dwarfs Ohio State's season total by 12) they aren't exactly an easy victory.

"Ohio State is going to play a defensive trap on us, sort of like the (New Jersey) Devils do, so we've been practicing going against that," Michigan right wing Warren Luhning said. "It's going to be a different style of hockey."

The Buckeyes' trap, combined with the smaller ice surface at OSU Ice rink will make 13-1 victories, like the Wolverines last game, almost impossible.

Saturday, Michigan takes on Bowling Green (9-7-1, 15-9-1) in a must-win game for the Falcons. Bowling Green has been hovering in fifth-place in the CCHA all season. The Falscons are clearly a better team than sixth-place Alaska-Fairbanks, but haven't proven that they can compete with the conference's top four -- Michigan, Michigan State, Lake Superior and Western.

The Falcons are usually in the CCHA title hunt when March rolls around, but this season, they have looked more like a wounded duck. Bowling Green coach Buddy Powers' hopes for a NCAA tournament berth have almost vanished. The Falcons have been on the brink of tournament play for years but haven't made it to the NCAAs since four straight appearances from 1987-90. "I think Bowling Green really shot themselves in the foot with its non-conference play," Berenson said. "I know where Bowling Green wants to be and they might not be at that level yet.

"They're coming off a weekend where they lost twice and they'll be looking rebound -- it ought to be a tight game."

If anything has kept the Falcons from joining the CCHA elite, it hasn't been their defense. Bowling Green has allowed only 66 goals all year, even with starting goaltender Bob Petrie out for a chunk of the season with a pulled groin muscle, an injury he's not expected to overcome by tomorrow.

Where the Falcons weakness lies is in their offense: they've mustered just 63 goals this season. To make matters worse, Bowling Green's leading scorer, Mike Johnson, is listed as questionable for the weekend with a bruised foot.

Michigan, however, will be happy to see veteran defenseman Blake Sloan return to the lineup this weekend after sitting out three games with an injured leg.