There are firsts for everything.
It just so happened that Michigan accomplished many of its firsts Saturday night against Brown.
In the Wolverines' 7-2 blowout of the Bears on Saturday, a few players who haven't contributed much - or at all - made names for themselves.
Michigan coach Red Berenson gave Gregg Malicke his first start of the season in goal Saturday. It was his first start since Feb. 3 of last season when Michigan tied Ohio State, 2-2, at Yost Ice Arena - his only start of the season.
Saturday night, Malicke didn't have to face too many shots - 11 in all - but he still made some tough saves.
In a game in which the Wolverines outshoot their opponent, 47-11, it's not that easy to stay focused when the puck is always in the opponents' end.
"That was a tough game to play when you don't get many shots," Berenson said. "I thought he was solid, I thought he was comfortable. He was in position on his shots."
Malicke didn't have to stop a shot until the 10-minute mark in the first period with Michigan leading, 2-0.
"It's great when the team comes together like this and plays so well in front of me," Malicke said. "The guys really wanted to get me a win just as bad as I did. It's hard to stay focused when you don't face a shot, but the outcome is satisfying. No complaints."
Malicke's toughest challenge on the night came midway through the second period. Brown left wing Damian Prescott, who had three goals on the weekend, came in alone on a breakaway after the puck bounced over a Michigan stick. But the Wolverines' netminder stayed firm and didn't budge, saving the shot in his midsection.
Malicke not only got his first start of the season, he notched his first point of his career.
The Michigan goaltender passed the puck up the left boards to Dale Rominski, who deflected it off the boards to a streaking Matt Herr. Herr scored the goal while on his stomach after being pulled down by Brown defenseman Jim Andersson.
"I was debating whether to freeze the puck or get it out of there because Brown really skates hard," Malicke said. "It's not something that any other goalie would have done differently. You've got two options. Play it off the boards or freeze it. It went my way, and it was a nice touch."
The Michigan offense also had some firsts of its own.
Chris Fox, who played as a forward instead of his usual defenseman role, graced the twine for the first time this season.
Michigan's Brendan Morrison regained a loose puck in front of the Bears' net. He backhanded a pass to a wide-open Fox, who poked it high into the open net three minutes into the second period, making the score 3-1.
Michigan center Andrew Merrick also celebrated for the first time. The freshman had not scored a goal in the first 12 games. With three minutes left in the second stanza, Merrick freed himself from a pack of Brown defensemen and found an opening to the net. He dribbled the puck through the legs of Brown goaltender Jeff Holowaty.
"It was great to finally put the puck in the net to get the monkey off my back," Merrick said. "It was due."
Afterwards, at the post-game press conference, Merrick was asked if he had grabbed the puck for his first college memento. He quickly held up his hand from underneath the table and revealed the puck with a huge grin on his face.
WARREN ZINN/Daily
Michigan backup goaltender Gregg Malicke played all of Michigan's 7-2 victory Saturday, but saw little action. He made 11 saves and scored his first career point with an assist on Matt Herr's breakaway goal.