With two minutes remaining and Michigan holding an 8-3 lead over Bowling Green on Saturday night, Michigan defenseman Bob Gassoff had to make a decision.
The sophomore saw two orange jerseys primed to attack his teammates Bobby Hayes and Dave Huntzicker. Both Falcons had just jumped off the bench.
And his decision to enter the fray and pummel Falcon's Dennis Williams will cost him a chance to play in the rest of the CCHA Tournament this weekend.
Gassoff was suspended for two games, one for the game disqualification given to him by referee Steve Piotrowski and extra game as a penalty for having two disqualifications in a season.
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| MARGARET MYERS/Daily He said he was trying to protect his teammates ... and because of it, Michigan defenseman Bob Gassoff (20) will have to sit out the next two games the Wolverines play. |
"We'll see if we dress an extra forward," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "We could play Crawford, Vancik or Magnuson. It's tough to put in a guy who hasn't played."
All three defenseman haven't played in a game for almost a month, and even if one does dress, he might not get much time.
Berenson chose to stick to five defensemen for most of the Bowling Green game this past Friday and might do the same this weekend.
Even though his absence leaves the team lacking in both a physical presence and a player who can give the other defensemen needed rest, Gassoff stands by his decision to drop the gloves.
"It's one of those times that you can't worry about the rules of college hockey," Gassoff said. "You have to do what you are supposed to do which is protect your teammates and stick up for each other."
Gassoff has long disagreed with the rules on fighting in college hockey.
"You have to defend yourself," Gassoff said. "That's where it can be argued.
"Michigan is always the big game on everyone's schedule and we're going to get every team's best game. A lot of teams think they can get away with pushing us around and taking cheap shots at us. It sends a message 'don't push us around, we're not going to tolerate it and we're going to give it back."
Williams has to miss one game at the beginning of next season. Piotrowski rescinded on the game disqualification for the other Bowling Green player who jumped the bench - Mike Jones - because the teams were undergoing a line change.
Bus ride: At the Great Lakes Invitational in December, Michigan State seemed to have the advantage both on the scoreboard and in the stands - giving them a special home ice advantage.
To bring more fans to Joe Louis Arena, the Michigan Ticket Office will offer a bus to and from the CCHA semifinal game on Friday night.
The bus may give fans an added incentive to travel to the Joe to cheer for the Wolverines, especially due to the parking constraints in Detroit and lack of transportation most students deal with.
Tickets for the bus ride are $7.50 and can be purchased at the Michigan Ticket Office through Friday at 5 p.m. Everyone, not just students, is welcome.
The bus leaves from the Crisler Arena tunnel at the Arena's North Entrance at 6:30 and will drop off students to the game around 7:15.
03-17-99
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