In a weekend that featured a zamboni breakdown, brutal fans and a conference foe that hasn't visited Yost Ice Arena in 14 years, the Michigan hockey team show the poise of a first-place team.
After two strong victories against the third- and fifth-place teams this weekend, the Wolverines made a statement that they belong atop the CCHA.
"Our main emphasis is to really play well each night and to maintain our position in the standings by what we do on the ice," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "We know we have a tough schedule ahead but we've had a tough schedule behind us."
At Yost Ice Arena, No. 5 Michigan (19-4-1 CCHA, 25-6-1 overall) defeated fifth-place Northern Michigan (13-9-3, 15-11-4) on Saturday, 4-2. The Wolverines avenged last month's series sweep at the hands of No. 7 Miami (Ohio) by defeating the RedHawks
 |
| PAUL TALANIIAN/Daily Mark Kosick and the Michigan hockey team skated by Miami (Ohio), 3-1, on Friday. The Wolverines emerged unscathed from rounds one and two of this week's CCHA title-fight. Next up are two big matchups with rival Michigan State. |
Northern Michigan's first visit to Yost in 14 years was one the Wildcats would rather forget. On Saturday, the Wolverines appeared in control of the game from the onset. After 13:57 into the first period, Michigan right wing Dale Rominski shot the puck past Northern Michigan goalie Duane Hoey during a wild pile up in front of the net.
"It was the kind of game that could've went 4-1, 5-1 or 6-1 early in the second period, but it didn't," Berenson said. "That kind of kept them in the game."
Although the Wildcats managed to tie the score in the first period on a goal by Tyson Holly at 16:25, the Wolverines offensive attack proved to be too much.
Michigan forward Josh Langfeld deflected a blast by teammate Bubba Berenzweig into the net for the go-ahead score with only 40 seconds remaining in the opening frame.
"With (Langfeld) on the ice, as a defensemen, you can always expect him to be in position," Berenzweig said. "So when I shot the puck I knew he was going to be there. And he was as he always is."
From that point onward, the Wolverines never looked back.
Saturday's victory over the Wildcats featured a remarkable goaltending performance by Michigan's Marty Turco. The senior netminder made saves on a variety of 2-on-1 opportunities and Northern Michigan breakaways.
"We put him in a tough spot and he bailed us out," Berenson said. "I can't remember giving up as many quality chances in a game as we did tonight."
Stopping breakaways are somewhat routine for the Michigan senior. In practice, Turco often works on situations resembling the ones he faced all weekend long.
"To be honest, those (breakaways) were just little mishaps," Turco said. "I don't mind. That's my job to keep them out of the net. I felt good this weekend."
The biggest reason why Turco only faced 20 shots was the strong defense in front of him. While Michigan's defense played a solid game on Saturday, Friday's game against Miami was perhaps the best defensive performance by the Wolverines all season.
The RedHawks swept the Wolverines in Oxford nearly a month ago, and Michigan made it a point to exact revenge on Friday. The Wolverines managed to hold a strong Miami team to a single goal on only 19 shots in a game that featured perhaps the rowdiest home crowd of the season.
With the score tied, 1-1, in the second period, Michigan center Mark Kosick took a pass from Langfeld and skated in on the left side. Kosick held on to the puck long enough for Miami goaltender Trevor Prior to go down, and then lifted the shot over Prior into the back of the net.
The goal provided Michgian with the lead it needed to secure a victory.
With less than a minute to play in the game and an open net, Michigan left wing Bill Muckalt grabbed a Matt Herr rebound and fired it in the net. It was Muckalt's 100th goal of his career and placed him 10th on the all-time list. After a goal on Saturday, he moved into ninth place.
But the biggest story of the weekend isn't even about the weekend victories at all. The biggest story is that Michigan begins arguably the most crucial week of the season.
This week the Wolverines prepare for a two-game title-fight showdown against No. 3 Michigan State that may determine the CCHA regular-season title. The Spartans trail Michigan by only three points in the standings.
Additionally, Michigan State coach Ron Mason has 799 career victories. Just one victory over the Wolverines is all he needs to capture No. 800.
"You can look at it two ways: the pressure is on us or the pressure's on them," Berenson said. "The pressure is on them as much as anyone. They're the home team and they have to put on the show.
"We're going to show up and I think our team will be excited about playing that game."
02-16-98
| Next Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |