'M' hockey no longer second fiddle
Has the time come when Michigan hockey should be mentioned in the same breath as the football and basketball teams? The Michigan Daily obviously thinks so, otherwise you would not be reading this first-ever edition of Faceoff, the hockey counterpart to football's Kickoff and basketball's Tipoff.
Michigan - On the ice: With stars returning, offense remains loaded
Brendan Morrison said he took a long break from hockey over the summer.
He deserved it. Michigan's senior captain, whose overtime poke-in goal gave the Wolverines their eighth national championship last March, did his share of celebrating after the victory.
Michigan hockey recaps 75 years
The numbers are impressive. A NCAA-record eight national championships. A .576 all-time winning percentage. Over 1,100 victories in 74 seasons. But numbers alone do not tell the story of Michigan's rich hockey history.
Once more, two-gether: Michigan's offensive stars are in sync on and off the ice
Brendan Morrison, Jason Botterill and Blake Sloan are standing shoulder to shoulder at center ice, patiently having their picture taken. The hockey publication organizing the photo shoot is only one of the numerous media outlets following the Michigan hockey team since it won the national championship last March. After a couple snapshots, the photographer asks Botterill and Sloan to take a step back, so Morrison can appear front and center. Botterill gets a kick out of this, and he can't pass up the opportunity to take a shot at his teammate.
Tried and tested: Turco learned last season that titles are not won without a struggle
The maize and blue fans stood, raised their arms, and bowed in praise of their golden-jerseyed idol. This mock-worship was aimed at Marty Turco, who had just made another spectacular save between the pipes - a common scene last year as Michigan rallied to its first national title in 32 years.
Michigan - On the ice
It is fitting that the defense of Michigan's national championship and its quest for a repeat could hinge on the play of the newly-arranged defense. The offensive unit is proven with its dazzling stars returning, but the defensive unit lost a landmark behind the blue line last year.
1996-97 Schedule; 1995-96 CCHA Standings
Lakers look to continue success
All factors point to a tough season for Lake Superior.
Playoff road leads through Alaska
Alaska-Fairbanks coach Dave Laurion took an interesting approach to his team's first season in the CCHA. He compared the campaign to a mentally unstable psychiatry patient - and a fictitious one at that: "It was quite a challenge for our club last year, being our first year in the conference. Reflecting on the year past, it was a little like Bill Murray in that movie, 'What About Bob?' in that we have to take baby steps."
Spartans move on without star player
There's always something to argue about between Michigan and Michigan State. In a Spartans pamphlet handed out for the media at the pre-season CCHA luncheon, Michigan State's sports information department clearly stated that the Spartans' Munn Ice Arena now has the largest capacity in the CCHA. Because of this summer's renovations to Yost Ice Arena, Munn now holds 6,170, compared to 6,150 at Yost Ice Arena. Twenty more seats.
Young Irish nucleus looks for inspiration from Pang
It's not a promising sign when the only striking statistic your captain has is his grade-point average. That's the situation this year for Notre Dame, whose junior leader, Steve Noble, is better known for his classwork than for his scoring. The center's statistics - 20 points, minus-11 in 36 games - are less impressive than in the classroom where he has 23 As and a B+ in 24 classes.
Falcons hope NCAA comes calling this April
The third time is a charm, or so they say. And Bowling Green may try to hold someone accountable for that statement. The Falcons have been knocking on the doorstep of the NCAA tournament the past two years, but both times they were edged out for the final spot.
Inexperience between pipes worries Buckeyes' coach
Ohio State has a problem. The Buckeyes enter the season without a goalie. The problem is not a player lost to injury or even limited experience between the pipes. The three goalies on the Ohio State roster, Tom Connery, Ray Aho and Lanny Jardine, are all freshmen and have yet to play in a college hockey game.
Broncos must regroup
When the 1995-96 CCHA Coach of the Year, Western Michigan's Bill Wilkinson, says that the offseason put "a lot of holes in (his) program," it's more than just preseason posturing. It might be the understatement of the year. The Broncos were hit hard by graduation, losing four of the top five goal scorers from last year's NCAA East Regional qualifying squad. As if that weren't enough, last year's freshman sensation, Division I All-American goaltender Marc Magliarditi, bolted unexpectedly over the summer, signing with Spokane of the WHL.
'Skins need netminder
Having lost seven letter winners from its seventh-place team in the CCHA last year, Miami (Ohio) might not be expected to improve in this season's standings. But besides the lack of senior leadership, the Redskins do not have any vast voids to fill. "Our season this year is one of a lot of anticipation - we're still going to be a young hockey team," Miami coach Mark Mazzoleni said.
Roach looks to guide Bulldogs
Ferris State did not have a winning record while finishing sixth in the CCHA in the 1995-96 season. The Bulldogs were seven games under .500 in the conference and nine games under overall. But the Bulldogs are confident heading into the new season. They won six of their last nine games and forced a third and deciding contest versus Michigan State in the CCHA playoffs.
1996-97 Michigan hockey roster
Michigan against the nation
Remember when Maine broke the Wolverines' hearts in triple-overtime of the 1995 NCAA semifinal? Well, that is the last pleasant memory for anyone associated with Black Bears hockey. As of now, pending the result of an appeal, Maine will not be allowed to compete in this season's NCAA tournament. Several top players have left the university as a result of the problems and uncertainty in the program.
Showcase Showdown at 'the Joe'
The College Hockey Showcase moves to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit for the first time this season. And, for the fourth time in three years, Michigan will face hockey powers Minnesota and Wisconsin. Michigan State will also take part in the Nov. 29-30 weekend of college hockey at the Joe.
Ivy League comes to town
C-Ya. Sorry to burst the bubbles of the Wolverine's faithful, but Michigan fans actually stole that cheer from Cornell fans the last time the two teams met. In the first round of the 1991 NCAA playoffs, Michigan, making its first playoff appearance in 14 years, took two of three from the Big Red. The series became known for turning the Michigan program in the right direction.
'M' icers to tangle with Tech in GLI
Michigan will defend its ninth-consecutive Great Lakes Invitational championship starting with a semifinal game against Michigan Tech. CCHA members Michigan State and Lake Superior will also take part in the 32nd year of the prestigious tournament.
10-14-96