Blue icers swept for first time in 2 years

OXFORD - For weeks, the hockey showdown between No. 4 Michigan and No. 7 Miami was highly regarded as a test for each team.

If that is indeed the case, then Michigan is going to have to do some more studying.

The first-place Wolverines (14-4-1 CCHA, 20-6-1 overall) were swept by RedHawks (12-5-2, 17-5-2). Miami won 4-3 on Saturday and 3-1 on Sunday at Groggin Ice Arena.

"We battled hard and it feels like we should have came out of here with more than no points on the weekend," Michigan right wing Bill Muckalt said. "But you have weekends like that and it's better now than later."

The situation appeared out of hand for the Wolverines after seven minutes into the third period in Saturday's game. The RedHawks went up 3-1 and quickly made it 4-1 after Miami right wing Marc Tropper and left wing Adam Copeland each scored within 20 seconds of each other.

"We tried keep the puck on the wall against them and take away their transition game," Miami coach Mark Mazzoleni said.

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Michigan forward Dale Rominski and the rest of the Wolverines couldn't pull out a victory against Miami (Ohio) this weekend. The Wolverines remain in first place in the CCHA by one point over Michigan State after the two losses.

The Wolverines played strong defense for the remainder of the period. At 13:48, Michigan freshman Josh Langfeld blasted a shot from the left slot past Miami goaltender Trevor Prior, cutting Miami's lead to two goals.

With 58 seconds left to play in the game, the Wolverines made it really interesting. Michigan goaltender Marty Turco was pulled to give the Wolverines an extra skater. Gregg Crozier skated onto the ice, took a pass from captain Matt Herr from just beyond the left faceoff dot, and scored top shelf on Prior.

"Coming back from behind on the road is tough," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "And we finally did come from behind but it was too little, too late.

"We showed that we can come from behind. This team is not going to give up, this team has got a lot of character."

But the four-goal lead proved to be insurmountable, as Michigan was unable to score in the last 58 seconds to force an overtime.

"The third goal was a big one," Berenson said. "Then to get another one right after that, obviously, is a killer."

The Wolverines could have legitimately won the game, if they would have been able to cash in on any number of golden opportunities. The Wolverines were on a 5-on-3 power play in the first period, but were unable to capitalize. Muckalt and Herr each had a breakaway opportunity, only to have Prior make game-saving saves for Miami.

"When two of your top scorers get breakaways and neither of them score, your team's not having it's best game," Berenson said.

The Wolverines outshot Miami during the weekend, 70-40. On Saturday, Prior looked human in the final period after allowing two goals. But Friday he seemed superhuman.

"Their goalie stood on his head," Berenson said. "He was a big factor in the game. You have to give Prior credit. He played a great game and I think he was the difference in the game."

Prior's goaltending held Michigan to a single goal in a 3-1 victory for the RedHawks. Prior allowed only a Hayes goal to slip past the him, turning away 33 shots including 15 in the final period.

"Their goalie played excellent," Herr said. "They've got two great goalies who've proven to be great goalies."

The first period turned out to be the decisive one in the game, as the RedHawks scored twice on the Wolverines in the first period.

Miami defenseman Dan Boyle scored midway through the opening frame after beating Turco from the left slot. Ten minutes later, center Gregor Krajnc blasted a shot from the left wing into the goal, giving Miami a firm 2-0 lead.

"We don't like the idea that we lost or that we gave up early goals," Berenson said. "And obviously we don't like the idea that we couldn't score when we had our chances."

The Wolverines can take solace in the fact that they out-played Miami in final period. Trailing by two goals, the Wolverines were able to score in the first 47 seconds when Bobby Hayes grabbed a Sean Ritchlin rebound and made the score 3-1.

"It shows that our team can come back in the second or third period," Herr said. "They didn't dominate us, they only had 14 shots."

Unfortunately for the Wolverines, Prior was able to make the Miami lead stick, saving 15 shots. The Wolverines also played strong defense in the third frame, allowing just three shots.

"We're back in the race," Mazzoleni said. "I think we made a statement."

Before the weekend, the Wolverines won 13 of their last 14 games - beating mostly lower division opponents. "It's a good test for our team, not just for our young players but for our veteran players - the ones who have to lead our team," Berenson said. "It's going to be like this the rest of the year."

"We're done with the bottom half of our league. Now we're into the top half."

01-26-98