Injuries decimate 'M' stable of forwards

The regular season may be only one game old, but it isn't evident by looking at the Michigan hockey team's injury list.

The Wolverines, smarting from earlier injuries to forward Craig Murray and center Scott Matzka, suffered another blow yesterday in practice when center Andrew Merrick went down to the ice after being checked along the boards.

"Andrew went off with a bit of a hip pointer," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "We will assess his condition (today)."

While Merrick is day-to-day, Murray's condition will be better gauged following a bone scan on his right leg today to test for a stress fracture.

Murray, who suffered a deep muscle bruise in his leg Oct. 5, practiced late last week but was scratched from Sunday's game against Lake Superior.

"We kept him off the ice (yesterday). so he felt a little better," Berenson said. "He has been feeling pretty constant soreness, though."

Matzka is probably feeling the best of the trio, although he is only a few days removed from a mild concussion suffered against Lake Superior.

Matzka was planted into the boards late in the third period against the Lakers, making for a bloody mess.

Matzka "feels good right now," Berenson said. "He's a little sore because of the stitches he has in the back of his head, but you need to be careful of injuries, so he won't skate until Friday."

With forwards dropping like flies, Berenson said he plans to explore many options, such as moving Bob Gassoff from defense or giving fourth-line forwards more ice time than usual.

No matter what Berenson decides to do, the players will be ready when the puck drops against Niagara on Friday night.

"I'm not sure yet what we are doing," forward Krikor Arman said. "We are just getting ready right now so we'll be prepared this weekend."

Fabulous frosh: On Sunday, Josh Blackburn became the first Michigan freshman goaltender to start in the season opener since Steve Shields in 1990.

Blackburn also won his first CCHA rookie of the week award, as he turned away all 14 Lake Superior shots in the 2-0 Michigan victory. While Blackburn's start was pleasing, Berenson is keeping it all in perspective.

"He did well, but you have to take it with a grain of salt," Berenson said. "Individual awards are nice, but it's a team sport."

WARREN ZINN/Daily Senior forward Greg Crozier, who scored Michigan's first goal Sunday against Lake Superior, has thus far avoided the rash of injuries to Michigan's forwards.

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