Herr returns, Turco returns home again

Winning games on the road in the CCHA is never easy, and for the Michigan hockey team, tonight's game against Lake Superior (3-4-3 CCHA, 4-6-3 overall) in Sault Ste. Marie should be no exception.

But winning should be a little bit easier this weekend for the Wolverines (6-2-2, 11-3-2) because for the first time since suffering a groin injury against Minnesota in the season opener, Michigan captain Matt Herr is expected to play.

"You love to have his presence and his ability and his leadership on the ice," Michigan coach Red Berenson said.

Herr's return should help take some of the offensive burden off Bill Muckalt and Bobby Hayes, who have provided most of Michigan's offensive production in recent weeks.

"It's a big boost for the hockey club to have him back on the ice," Muckalt said. "I know I'm looking forward to it. I guess time will tell, but we should be a much better hockey club."

FILE PHOTO Marty Turco will make his last regualr-season trip to Lake Superior's Abel Arena tonight. The Michigan senior goaltender hails from the Sault Ste. Marie area.

But the Wolverines will need more than just the return of their captain if they are to come away with a victory. Herr has only practiced with the team for three days, and it will take some time before he is playing at the same level as before the injury.

"I may not play a lot," Herr said. "I'm not in great shape right now - at least ice shape. I can ride the bike at a hundred miles an hour for 40 hours, but I'm not in a bike race out here."

Tonight's game is also an important game for goaltender Marty Turco, but for a different reason. Turco is from Sault Ste. Marie, and this will be his last chance to play at home in front of his family.

"He knows he's under a bit of a microscope when up there," Berenson said. "But he's been there before and he's proven that he can play well there. He knows there's a bit more at stake than just a normal game, but he'll handle that."

The Wolverines will need more than Turco and Herr to play well if they are going to come away with a victory.

Abel Arena is one of the toughest, most intimidating places to play in the CCHA.

"I like playing in tough buildings like Lake State," Hayes said. "It makes the game really exciting with all of the fans against you. It's one of the biggest challenges that we will face all year."

The Wolverines will be facing a Lake Superior team that is unbeaten in its last four games. After starting off slowly, the Lakers have begun to turn it around.

"They're as tough as anybody at home," Berenson said. "They got off to a rough start there early, but now it looks like their back on track, so it'll be a tough game."

Senior center Terry Merchant has been on a tear recently, tallying 12 points in his last six games.

Merchant is coming off of a two-goal, three-assist effort in two games against Notre Dame last weekend. The solid performance earned him CCHA offensive player of the week honors.

Defensively, the Lakers have been playing much better as of late.

After giving up an average of 4.11 goals per game in their first nine games, Lake Superior has surrendered only two goals in its last four contests.

"We know it's going to be tough," Berenson said. "But, I don't want to sit here and start shaking in my boots about it. Half our team has been up there and we know what it's like.

"We have a lot of confidence in ourselves that we can go up there and compete."

Tonight's game

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Abel Arena, Sault Ste. Marie

TV: FOX Sports Network

12-05-97