11-1, 8-0, THAT'S BLOWOUT CITY, BABY!
Even though the Wolverines defeated Alaska-Fairbanks by those scores last weekend in the first round of the CCHA playoffs, chances are good that Michigan will be involved in much tighter games for the remainder of the postseason - however far the Wolverines advance.
Michigan's first tough test in the playoffs could come against Bowling Green in this evening's CCHA semifinal at Joe Louis Arena. The No. 1 seed, Michigan, and the No. 4 seed, Bowling Green, face off at 5 p.m., followed by the other semifinal game between No. 2 Miami (Ohio) and No. 3 Michigan State at 8:30 p.m.
If any team is capable of destroying its opponent, it's Michigan, but history says that one-goal games are more likely than blowouts in the postseason.
The Falcons are certainly capable of playing the Wolverines close. While Michigan defeated the Falcons in both games at Yost Ice Arena this season, 4-1 (Nov. 9) and 6-1 (Feb. 1), the Wolverines needed two third-period goals to gain a 3-3 tie at Bowling Green on Nov. 16.
And for the Wolverines, a close game means more pressure on goaltender Marty Turco.
Over the last three years, the junior netminder has shown he can step it up and come through when it counts the most - in the playoffs.
Turco has a career winning percentage of .825 and a 2.37 goals-against average. In the playoffs, not including this season, Turco has stoned opponents with a 1.96 GAA and a .833 winning percentage.
It was Turco's performance in the 1994-95 NCAA semifinal against Maine that proved his worth to Michigan coach Red Berenson. Turco stopped 52 of 56 shots in that game which did not end until Maine scored 28 seconds into a sixth period.
"He kept us in that game. Maine had a great team," Berenson said. "They had great scoring chances. Turco defied them to score. He proved then that he was a playoff goalie."
Now that playoff time is here again, Turco is prepared to be the deciding factor, if necessary.
"I'm gonna make a difference, whether it's in the first period or in the third period," Turco said.
Turco also says that he is not concerned with the increased pressure goaltenders feel in the playoffs.
"I know, come tournament time, that we're not gonna score as many goals as we would like. I'm the last line of defense. Pressure is what you make out of it. I'm not too worried about the pressure."
And Berenson doesn't worry too much about his goaltender. Throughout his career, Turco has rebounded well after making a wrong play or giving up a bad goal.
"Some goalies will get rattled, some goalies will start not being sure," Berenson said. "He's got that way about him that I think he's excited, he's focused."
Turco will need to be focused if he is to stop Bowling Green's top scorers. After a season full of injuries, the Falcons are finally healthy. With a 10-12-5 CCHA record and an overall mark of 17-15-5, the Falcons must win the CCHA tournament to get into the NCAAs.
Bowling Green, which came into the playoffs seeded fifth, advanced to tonight's game after sweeping the then-No. 4 seed, Lake Superior, last weekend. The Falcons came from behind to beat the Lakers in the first game, 3-2, and scored three goals in the third period of the second game on their way to an 8-4 victory.
The Falcons' three leading scorers - Mike Johnson, Curtis Fry and Brett Punchard - each scored three goals on the weekend.
If Turco and the Wolverines take care of Bowling Green tonight, they will face one of the only two teams to beat them this season - Michigan State or Miami - on Saturday night at 7:30.
The Redskins defeated Michigan most recently, 4-2, on March 1. But it's the Spartans who have had the Wolverines' number.
The Spartans handed Michigan its first loss of the season - a 5-4 heartbreaker on Nov. 2, in East Lansing. The Wolverines then returned the favor two weeks later with a 5-1 victory at Yost. But on Feb. 8, the Spartans defeated the Wolverines, who had won 23- straight since the first loss to the Spartans, 2-1 at Joe Louis.