Muckalt ends drought with No. 100 against RedHawks

Finally ... After weeks of frustration, Bill Muckalt finally scored the 100th goal of his career in Michigan's 3-1 victory over Miami (Ohio) on Friday.

After scoring 25 goals in his first 23 games this season, Muckalt found himself just two goals away from 100 for his career. But in the next seven games the senior forward scored just once, and coming into Friday's game, he seemed to be stuck on 99 career goals.

With less than a minute remaining in Friday's game, Muckalt finally got No. 100. With Miami goaltender Trevor Prior on the bench for the extra attacker, Matt Herr stole the puck at center ice and fired it off the post. Muckalt picked up the rebound and slid it into the open net.

PAUL TALANIAN/Daily Michigan forward Bill Muckalt found plenty to celebrate this weekend after topping the century mark in career goals, Friday night. He tallied No. 101, Saturday.

"It was a pretty nice pass by Matty off the post," Muckalt joked. "I was going to pick the top corner, but the way things have been going, I decided to put it right in the middle."

Even Michigan coach Red Berenson wasn't impressed with the way Muckalt scored his 100th.

"You needed to take the goalie out for him to score," Berenson kidded.

Saturday, Vancouver Canuck's coach and General Manager Mike Keenan was in attendance to watch Muckalt, a ninth-round draft pick of the Canucks in 1994.

And he did not disappoint, blasting a shot from the left face-off circle past Northern Michigan goaltender Duane Hoey for his 28th goal of the season.

"Bill Muckalt has had a great season," Keenan said. "He shows the ability to put the puck in the net.

"He's certainly got some great offensive skills, but at the same time he's demonstrated some solid leadership skills."

With his goal on Saturday, Muckalt has 101 goals for his career - tied with Neil Celley for ninth place on the Michigan career goal scoring list, and only one tally behind Hobey Baker winner Brendan Morrison.

You're just stuck: During the second intermission of Friday's game, the Zamboni's engine blew, leaving the vehicle stranded at center ice directly in front of the visitors' bench.

As the arena staff struggled to get the Zamboni off the ice, they were taunted with chants of "English majors," by the impatient crowd.

The third period was delayed for nearly 30 minutes as the Zamboni was slowly towed off the ice, and the skid marks left by the vehicle left the ice in rough shape in the Miami end of the rink.

"Fortunately, the ice wasn't a factor in the game," Berenson said.

Be my valentine: In Friday's Daily, someone left a Valentine's day message for freshman forward Josh Langfeld.

"I've seen your moves on the ice," the secret admirer wrote. "Soon, I'd like to show you my moves."

Langfeld saw the message on Friday when someone attached the paper to the door of his dorm room.

"It was pretty funny," Langfeld said. "But I don't know who did it. It wasn't anybody on the team."

Langfeld showed his moves Saturday, scoring Michigan's second goal of the game.

Hurting: Michigan lost two players to injuries in Friday's game. Midway through the first period, freshman center Scott Matzka was checked hard into the boards and had to leave the game with a separated shoulder.

Early in the third period, Michigan forward Sean Ritchlin left the game with a groin injury. Both players missed Saturday's game, but may be ready against Michigan State.

02-16-98