Winning goal breaks Langfeld's drought

It was Michigan's first game of the year. The Wolverines were playing at Minnesota - Michigan freshman Josh Langfeld's home state. He knew all the Minnesota players. He knew the Minnesota coach. He had friends and family at the game.

He also had a breakaway shot during the game. He blew it. Michigan went on to win, 3-2, but Langfeld was still kicking himself about the missed opportunity after the game.

Months later, on Friday, Michigan played Minnesota again, this time at Yost Ice Arena. Langfeld had another breakaway shot. He missed that one, too. Again, Michigan won, 4-3. Again, Langfeld was kicking himself.

"I don't know what it is," Langfeld said after Friday's game. "It's been about six games since I scored. I've been trying harder and harder but it's just not going in."

EMILY NATHAN/Daily Michigan defenseman Sean Peach and the Wolverines out-fought Wisconsin yesterday. The sixth-ranked Badgers, known for their physical play, were beaten at their own game by Michigan.

In his first seven games, Langfeld scored five goals. Since scoring a power play goal dec. 1 against Alaska-Fairbanks, Langfeld has had trouble putting the puck in the net. Entering this weekend, Langfeld had gone six games without a goal.

But yesterday, against Wisconsin, Langfeld had another chance. This time he scored, banking in a shot from behind the net off of Wisconsin goaltender Mike Valley.

Langfeld wasn't kicking himself after the Wisconsin game. He had finally capitalized on a scoring opportunity - and without his goal, Michigan wouldn't have won. Langfeld's goal was the last scored by either team, as the Wolverines went on to beat the Badgers, 2-1.

"I just shot it off of his leg and it went in," Langfeld said. "It wasn't very pretty, but it went in. Maybe that's what I needed to jump start me."

Not so special: In close, tight-checking games, special teams play can often make the difference between winning and losing. This weekend, it was no different.

Of the 10 goals scored yesterday and Friday, nine were scored on special teams.

In Friday night's contest, Minnesota scored all three of its goals on the power play, while the Wolverines had two power-play tallies and a short-handed goal. In yesterday's game, all three goals came on the power play.

Despite winning both games, the Wolverines were not happy with their performance on special teams.

"For the most part, our power play was not a strong, consistent force in terms of puck control or generating good chances," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "And our penalty killing was fair. Again, I don't think we're at the top of our game in terms of our penalty killing or our power play."

More of the same: For the Wolverines this weekend's two victories in the College Hockey Showcase extended their winning streak in Showcase games to four.

"It was a great weekend for us," Michigan goaltender Marty Turco said. "One of our season goals was to sweep the Showcase. We were really pumped up for this weekend and we came out strong and played some of our best hockey of the year."

Meanwhile, the Badgers endured their ninth straight loss in the Showcase. Wisconsin's only victory in the series came four years ago against the Wolverines in the series' inaugural game.

Herr update: Michigan captain Matt Herr, who has not played since injuring his groin in the season opener against Minnesota, will begin skating with the team in practice this week and could be back for Friday's game against Lake Superior State, according to Berenson.

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