Hayes provides unexpected offensive punch

With Matt Herr serving a one-game suspension and Bill Muckalt failing to put the puck in the net for the second straight game, the Wolverines needed someone else to provide an offensive spark.

As he has all season, Bobby Hayes responded - this time with a career-high four-point effort that included his 13th and 14th goals of the season.

Saturday, Hayes performed like a dominant player, creating scoring chances and making plays defensively.

In the first period, Hayes helped Michigan take an early 2-0 lead, assisting on goals by Greg Crozier and Mark Kosick.

But Hayes saved his best play for late in the game.

WARREN ZINN/Daily Bobby Hayes scored two goals and added two assists in Michigan's 5-1 victory over Alaska-Fairbanks. For Hayes, the four points marked a career-high and extended his point-scoring streak to six games.

With Michigan leading 3-1 early in the third period - and the Nanooks with a two-man advantage for more than a minute - Hayes played an important role on the penalty killing unit that prevented the Nanooks from getting a good scoring chance.

Later in the period, Hayes put the game out of reach when he cut in on Alaska-Fairbanks goaltender Ian Perkins and stuffed the puck under the sprawling goaltender to give the Wolverines a commanding three-goal lead.

Two minutes later, Hayes scored a shorthanded goal, giving the Wolverines a 5-1 victory. The shorthanded goal was his fourth of the season and tied him for the most shorthanded goals in the nation.

"He has a way of digging down and paying the price," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "Whether it's blocking shots or making a play on the shorthanded goal or whatever it takes."

With four points on the night, Hayes moved into fifth place in the CCHA in league scoring and second place on the team. The points extended Hayes' point-scoring streak to six games.

Not bad for a player who had just six goals all of last season, and just 14 goals in his first two seasons.

"Bobby Hayes has stepped up to play at a different level than he has in his first two years," Berenson said. "If you looked at his stats last year he was really struggling to score. And yet look at him this year; he's a different player."

Hayes began the season playing on the fourth line but has quickly moved his way up on the depth chart. Since a home-and-home series against Ferris State in mid-November, Hayes has been playing on the top line with Bill Muckalt.

With the departure of nine seniors from last year's team, Hayes has had the opportunity to play more, and he has taken advantage of the opportunity, recording career highs in goals and assists.

"He's proven to be our No. 1 centerman," Berenson said. "He's been a top penalty killer from day one, and he's given us leadership.

"He's the type of player I'm sure a lot of our players would like to emulate. He pays the price, and he can help you defensively and he can help you offensively. And he might be our smallest player."

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