It is a time of desperation. When an average hockey team sends a player to the penalty box, the situation becomes desperate.
But not at Michigan; it's not average.
This weekend, the nation's No. 1 team reasserted its dominance on the penalty kill with a remarkable showing against Lake Superior.
Friday, the Wolverines pitched a shutout, denying Lake Superior on all nine of its power-play opportunities, securing an 8-0 victory. Saturday, they did more of the same, holding the Lakers to one goal in nine chances.
Their outstanding record while having fewer men on the ice is something that becomes even more valuable as the playoffs approach, according to Michigan coach Red Berenson.
"Every penalty is a scoring chance - particularly in close games," he said.
The traditionally tight games of the postseason are when it is critical to have a solid defensive unit.
Last season, Michigan encountered one-goal games in the CCHA championship, the NCAA regional final and the NCAA championship game. And with the playoffs starting in two weeks at Yost Ice Arena, Berenson senses the importance in defending the net.
"Goals-against is probably more important than goals-for (in the playoffs)," he said.
And for that reason, Michigan has reason to be secure.
Led by forwards Bobby Hayes and Dale Rominski, the penalty-killing unit for Michigan has prevented goalie Marty Turco from being peppered with shots while down a man.
Hayes and Rominski, sophomores fighting for playing time on a team loaded with talented players, routinely throw their bodies to the ice to block shots.
But there is a price to pay for routinely using your body as a dartboard.
Hayes blocked one too many shots Friday, sidelining him for Saturday's game with a bruised hand.
"If he's going to have that role on the team, he's got to live up to it and pay the price," Berenson said.
"It's an opportunity for a role on the team."
And it's not just an opportunity to gain minutes for Hayes - he actually enjoys filling the specialized role for Michigan.
"Bobby Hayes takes as much pride in blocking shots and killing penalties as any of our players do in scoring goals," Berenson said. "He has shown the moxie and courage it takes to play that role."
Hayes and Rominski serve only half of the job necessary to halt a power play, though.
To score a goal with fewer men on the ice than the opposition is often demoralizing for the power-play squad, and that is an area where Michigan excels.
On the season, the Wolverines have netted 21 shorthanded goals - 18 more than they have allowed.
"If you can kill a key penalty at a key time in the game - it's huge," Berenson said.
Saturday, it was center John Madden who was huge for Michigan. Late in the third period, Michigan forward Chris Fox had just been sent to the penalty box for high-sticking. And Michigan was not only down a man, but it was also down a goal. Madden controlled the puck in the neutral zone and beat two Laker Superior defensemen to the net for the tying goal - shorthanded.
"When Madden scored the goal it was huge," Berenson said. "We couldn't afford to give up a goal - and we scored a goal. That's a double-edged sword, having the ability to do that."
Madden is the NCAA leader in career shorthanded goals with 22 - six more than his closest challenger.
Senior Standing: Michigan defensemen Blake Sloan and Harold Schock have been stalwarts behind the blue line for four seasons at Michigan.
Now they are candidates to represent their nation in the same capacity.
The United States team for the World University Hockey Championship, which will be held April 4 at Joe Louis Arena, will be selected by USA Hockey general manager Jeff Jackson in late February. Sloan, a native of Morton Grove, Ill., and Schock, from Okemos, are among 24 players under consideration. Michigan State coach Ron Mason will coach the team, which plays only one game - against Canada.
MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily
With John Madden in the penalty box and Bobby Hayes out with a bruised hand, Dale Rominski saw more time than usual on the Wolverines' penalty-killing unit Saturday night against Lake Superior. He is shown here against Bowling Green.