Goaltending play helps keep Michigan and Wisconsin knotted up in Madison

MADISON - It is the most analyzed and criticized position on a hockey team.

When things are going well, these guys receive the most praise. But when things are going bad, they get insulted with chants of "sieve".

Goaltenders are the first things visible to the untrained hockey observer.

These observers tend to overemphasize the goalie's role and underemphasize the defensemen's roles.

Yesterday, the observers were right. Michigan's Josh Blackburn and Wisconsin's Graham Melanson were on the top of their games, allowing only one goal each in a 1-1 tie.

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily Bubba Berenzweig and the Michigan defense did a solid job in front of goaltender Josh Blackburn this weekend, helping the Wolverines notch three points at the College Hockey Showcase. Blackburn allowed just three goals on the weekend against Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Melanson had more opportunities than Blackburn to shine in the spotlight, as the Wolverines peppered him with 31 shots. Other than a Bubba Berenzweig goal, Melanson was perfect.

Melanson "is playing in a zone right now," Wisconsin coach Jeff Sauer said. "If he sees the puck, he's going to make the save."

Melanson had 20/20 vision five minutes into the third period, when Jay Vancik and Scott Matzka broke out on a two-on-one. Vancik shot down the left side and fed Matzka. Matzka fielded the puck perfectly and put the puck into the net. Or so the crowd thought.

Melanson robbed Matzka, reaching out with his glove and snatching the puck from the air.

"That was the game-saving save," Sauer said.

While Blackburn wasn't as busy as Melanson, he was just as effective for the Wolverines. Only Dave Tanabe bested Blackburn, who turned away 21 Wisconsin shots.

"I did all right," Blackburn said. "I think I played a pretty good game. It was run-and-gun hockey and I had to stay on my toes."

Blackburn had to defend against his share of Wisconsin opportunities, but he didn't have as many artistic saves as Melanson. Blackburn's reaction to his counterpart's acrobatics was key in Michigan extending its undefeated streak to six games.

"You feel pressure to make saves when the other goalie is playing well," Blackburn said. "Many goals come after big saves because a big save pumps up a crowd and gives his team momentum."

Although Blackburn held his own this weekend, he did have trouble playing the puck behind his net. Mistakes in puckhandling resulted in a goal in Friday's victory over Minnesota and almost led to a goal in the first period yesterday. Yesterday's error led to an on-ice speech from captain Bubba Berenzweig.

"He keeps trying to clear the puck with one hand for some reason," Berenzweig said. "He slaps at the puck sometimes and he doesn't need to do that. Bad things happen when you slap at a puck."

Besides an occasional puck-slapping, Blackburn has played well between the pipes. The fans love him - until next weekend, at least.

11-30-98