With its future uncertain, Blue controls own destiny

The Michigan hockey team's future this season is still in significant doubt.

Even after a powerful 2-0 sweep of Bowling Green this past weekend, the Wolverines are statistically no closer to the NCAA Tournament - in fact, they are in a worse position.

It comes down to the Wolverines controlling their own destiny in the CCHA Tournament this weekend. Michigan can't be sure it will travel to an NCAA regional unless it earns the automatic bid given to the tournament champion.

Usually the Wolverines ride into the tournament with an almost automatic chance at a NCAA shot. But this season - through all it's ups and downs - has led to an unfamiliar moniker for Michigan: bubble team.

"I think we're bubble," captain Bubba Berenzweig said. "We could go either way. You can't tell. So in my mind, we have to beat Ohio State."

The culprit of Michigan's present situation was a rocky regular season path.

Early in the season the nation saw the sight of a powerful Michigan team, during a 10-game undefeated streak from Nov. 13 to Dec. 27. Suddenly, the preseason predictions of Michigan standing as one of the top three teams in the nation looked to be paining out.

And then 1999 rolled in.

The Wolverines didn't party as the Prince song hints to. Instead, Michigan found itself in a desperate situation and a eight-game winless streak.

But Berenzweig says the regular season - which he calls 'the preseason' - can't be looked at to judge the team now.

"The beginning of the season is gone and forgotten. We ended up in second, that's great. It doesn't mean anything now, because it didn't give us an automatic bid. We are a bubble team, so now we have something to fight for."

And for the past few weeks, Michigan has left its inconsistent play behind and renewed its strive for another national championship evidenced by a 5-1 record.

Berenzweig thinks the team looks a lot better emotionally than in February and just has to build on its conquests as of late.

"This team is pretty confident and excited," Berenzweig said. "During the 35 days when we didn't win, it's hard to look forward to the next weekend. Now, you pretty much have to try and remember everything you did last week and just build on it."

And if a NCAA bid does fall into the Wolverines' laps this weekend, Michigan will be an underdog.

"We're not going to come in as the best team in the nation," Berenzweig said. "We're going to have to win on pure desire and emotion. It's been a problem for this team in the past, but after seeing how we played, I'm excited to know we can. And when we do, we're pretty darn good."

The NCAA Tournament bids will be announced on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

03-18-99