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Legg's goal was nice, but icers better forget about it

Nearly everyone who watched Michigan's practice yesterday at Riverfront Coliseum wanted to know who Legg was. They wanted to see the kid who scored what ESPN called "The Greatest Hockey Goal of All Time." They wanted Legg's time and his comments.

He has been interviewed by radio, television and newspaper people from all over the United States and Canada. Everyone is interested in how he put the puck flat on his stick blade, whipped it through the air and dunked it in the net.

"How did you do it?" they asked.

"How often do you practice it?"

"Could you show us how you scored the goal?"

Legg is no longer another player on another team trying to win a national title. He is now the guy who scored "The Goal."

"Which one is the guy who scored the goal?" asked Boston University defenseman Shane Johnson, while watching the Wolverines skate yesterday. "That was something else."

With all of the chatter and hubbub over "The Goal," another goal has been washed out by all of the TV lights and camera flashes. Michigan is trying to win its first NCAA championship since 1964. Although Legg's stick tricks helped the Wolverines get this far, it has now become a distraction.

"The media has really jumped on it, because it's a highlight goal," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "It's been great exposure, but I wish it could have come a few weeks ago rather than now."

Berenson has been teaching his team all season about the role of emotion. The Wolverines can't get too high when they score or win, and they can't get too low when they are scored upon or lose.

Michigan has to be a group of flatliners to stay alive in the playoffs. Momentum in hockey games this time of year comes and goes like waves, and a team that is unprepared can end up in the undertow.

"It's important that we stay focused and don't get too caught up in other things," Michigan captain Steven Halko said. "Focus, even when things aren't going well, is important."

So far, the Wolverines have not had a problem. They have been consistent all season.

The most telling signs of their healthy mental approach came in the last two weeks. Michigan beat both Lake Superior and Minnesota after giving up tying goals in the third period.

But the regular season, CCHA playoffs and NCAA quarterfinals are not the semifinals. No team has presented the challenge Boston University will present tonight.

The Terriers are much like Michigan. They have stars like Jay Pandolfo, Mike Grier and Chris Drury who can score and score often. They have a solid, sophomore