'M' hockey wraps up home schedule against Miami

The Michigan hockey team will wrap up its home schedule this weekend in a two-game series with Miami, beginning tonight at Yost Ice Arena.

The Wolverines return to Yost after a tough road campaign that resulted in two ties with Western Michigan and a loss to archrival Michigan State at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Michigan assistant captain Bobby Hayes said he is looking forward to the home series and a chance to make a push before the playoffs.

"Even though we lost to Michigan State, we still feel good about the way we played," Hayes said. "We're moving up right now - if we get a good start Friday night, hopefully that will carry us through the game and give us more confidence as we go."

Although the Wolverines have shown streaks of impressive play, they have not been able to notch a victory in the last eight attempts. Even so, Hayes is confident that Michigan (14-7-5 CCHA, 17-9-6 overall) can maintain its poise.

"You have to play desperately, you have to want to win - that's the beauty of it," Hayes said. "You play with emotion, you play with passion - we're desperate, but not to the point where we're tentative. We're going to be aggressive."

The last time Michigan faced Miami (8-14-4, 10-17-5) was in a close game on the road. It was a Sean Ritchlin goal with 24 seconds to go that gave the Wolverines the victory, but the RedHawks played them tight the entire game.

And Michigan coach Red Berenson said that should be no surprise.

"Everybody plays us, because they're as good as we are," Berenson said. "Everybody is rolling - or trying to get rolling - and if there's a hot team in the league right now besides Michigan State, it's Miami."

The RedHawks have won three in a row, in their own stretch of close games, including a 2-1 overtime decision over Ferris State this past Saturday.

Miami forwards Jason Deskins and Mark Shalawylo combine for 44 goals and 65 points on the season, while the Miami penalty kill is ranked above Michigan's at 86.2 percent.

"Both games will be close," Berenson said of Michigan's final home weekend. "Right now Miami has the momentum, but that doesn't mean we can't take it away from them."

Saturday night, the regular season home finale for the Wolverines, will also recognize the team's seniors in a pregame ceremony. Tickets are still available.

Tonight

Miami at Michigan

Where:

Yost Ice Arena

When: 7 p.m.

The Latest: Tickets are still available for both weekend games; WCBN 88.3 FM radio will broadcast the game live.

02-26-99