Pregame silence honors Fishman's memory

Before the puck dropped Friday night and Yost Ice Arena erupted into the boisterous cacophony for which it is famous, rink announcer Glen Williams called for a moment of silence.

The respectful audience complied in recognition of the late Brian Fishman, former sports information director for the Michigan hockey program from 1995-1998.

Fishman, 29, died late Thursday night in his apartment after accidental overexposure to carbon monoxide. The odorless gas seeped through the apartment's central heating system, and return air vents were blocked by boxes, according to officials.

The loss of Fishman seemed to loom in the minds and hearts of the entire program throughout the weekend series.

"I think it was a tough day to play," Michigan coach Red Berenson said after Friday's game. "It was a sad thing for hockey - it's like losing one of your players. You don't expect something like this to happen."

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Sean Peach and the Michigan defensemen were solid this weekend, limiting Ferris State's opportunities and protecting late leads in both games, resulting in Michigan victories and four more points in the conference standings.

Berenson reflected on a colleague who accompanied his team's rise to the top in the mid '90s.

"He was on a mission to make Michigan hockey not only well-known, but well-respected," Berenson said. "With (former Wolverine) Brendan Morrison, it didn't hurt to have Brian Fishman in his corner when he won the Hobey Baker - there's a hundred stories about Brian Fishman, but that's not going to bring him back."

Michigan captain Bubba Berenzweig said the memory of Fishman was an inspiration for the team.

"It actually makes it a little easier to play, because you think about how precious life is, especially when you know Fishman, who was quite a character." Berenzweig said. "Before the game I told these guys, 'if you can't give everything you've got - because life is so precious - then why are you even out here?'"

Memorial services for Fishman were held yesterday in Bethesda, Md.

Shuffling the deck: The return of forward Josh Langfeld on Friday was accompanied by a reorganizing of the line chart. Six-foot-three Langfeld hit the ice with 6-3 Dale Rominski and the physical 6-1 Bobby Hayes at center.

Berenson said he was trying to accomplish a more physical and balanced presence up front.

"We're trying to balance our lines on offense as well as defense," Berenson said. "I like Langfeld on that line. He's a threat to score, plus he's a physical, hard-working player."

The offensive change-up also moved Mark Kosick from the wing back to center, and shifted Scott Matzka over to right wing.

"We're moving guys around trying to find situations where they're going to be more successful - so we're not a one-line team."

Back in the hunt: After 12 games without a goal, defenseman Dave Huntzicker found the net Saturday with an unassisted bullet in the first period.

Huntzicker intercepted an attempted clearing pass during a Michigan power play and was left alone on the point.

"I waited for a second, for traffic to get in front, then I put it up off the ice a little. The goalie never saw it," he said.

Huntzicker also had an assist on Saturday to compliment a strong offensively defensive effort by the Wolverines. Jeff Jillson returned from obligations at USA Hockey to score a goal and three assists on the weekend, including the game-winner Friday night. Mike Van Ryn, who was playing for the Canadian junior national team, overcame illness to turn in a solid performance Saturday.

"This morning, Van Ryn called me and told me he was feeling better, and really wanted to play," Berenson said after Saturday's game. "So he drove here from London (Ontario) this morning, and got here this afternoon."

"I'm glad to have Langfeld, Jillson, and Mike Van Ryn back. They make a big difference."

Blackburn escapes weekend

It's not a stretch to say that the play of Michigan goaltender Josh Blackburn has helped keep the Wolverines in the running for the CCHA regular season title.

Michigan coach Red Berenson has thrown him into the deep end of the pool this season with only his teammates as a life preserver, and Blackburn has responded, carrying a 15-3-2 record and a goals-against average of only 1.75 after this weekend's games.

But, as solid as Blackburn has been at times (allowing a total of one goal in a series against Michigan State and Notre Dame Nov. 20-21), and as shaky he has been on certain nights (being pulled after yielding four goals to Northern Michigan Halloween night), this weekend facing Ferris State, Blackburn was just mediocre.

There were multiple mistakes made by the freshman. He mishandled the puck behind his own net a few times, and it finally caught up with him Friday, as Ferris State's Ed Kowalski beat an out-of-position Blackburn to unnecessarily give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead and plenty of confidence.

Blackburn couldn't shake the soft-goal plague on Saturday night either, allowing Kenzie Homer's first-period shot to slip past him and wipe out Michigan's early 1-0 lead.

"The first shot can handcuff you - it's how you react to the goal," Berenson said. "If you go into the tank and give up five after that, then there's an issue. I don't think there's an issue with Blackburn. I like the way he finished the game."

Whether or not Blackburn played perfectly, the Wolverines earned two victories on the weekend. And winning sure helps make a lot of mistakes look insignificant.

"I don't think this weekend was that great," Blackburn said. "We managed to win, but it wasn't one of my better weekends."

Luckily, it didn't have to be. The freshman found his bearings at the crucial junctures of each game, helping Michigan to victory.

Blackburn's diving stop of Brent Wishart on Friday night was possibly one of his best efforts of the season, but it was in the third period of Saturday's 4-3 triumph where "Blackie" saved the day, stuffing Wishart again, this time with an acrobatic glove save on a rifle of a slapshot from the Ferris State forward.

Even when he is off his game, the modest, soft-spoken freshman doesn't expect any loose treatment from his teammates or Michigan fans.

"I'd imagine I'm my own harshest critic," Blackburn said. "I don't expect anyone to take it easy on me. The fans want to win.

"I want to win, too, obviously."

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Michigan goaltender Josh Blackburn was good when he had to be this weekend, making the necessary saves to lock up two clutch victories for the Wolverines.

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