More forwards give Michigan its best defensive effort

After a three-game losing streak, Michigan coach Red Berenson had to find a way to stop his team's downward spiral.

Between Friday and Saturday's games, he did.

En route, Berenson developed a previously untested combination. His formula was composed of 13 forwards plus five defensemen plus a new starting goalie plus several all-freshmen lines plus a few intangibles, including some good officiating, a little bit of luck and desperation.

The dramatic overhaul resulted in the Wolverines' first victory in two weeks, a 4-1 win over No. 3 Wisconsin (8-2 WCHA, 11-3 overall) on Saturday. That success came on the heels of Michigan's (7-3 CCHA, 11-4) three frustrating losses to Lake Superio

KIMITSU YOGACHI/Daily Andy Hilbert was one of 13 forwards on Michigan's roster in Saturday's 4-1 win over Wisconsin, a game in which the Wolverines were fueled by desperation.

r State (a two-game series) and unranked Minnesota.

"It was a must-win game," Berenson said after the Wisconsin game. "We felt that we needed to survive and salvage the weekend. I don't know if this was our best game this year, but it was close to it, considering the opponent. We needed to have that kind of game."

The three previous losses proved that the system Michigan had been using earlier this year was no longer working. Instead of buckling down defensively, the team depended on its offensive prowess early on.

But the effort against Wisconsin was perhaps Michigan's most defensive game of the year. In the third period, the Wolverines limited the Badgers to just two shots on goal.

Interestingly in the contest, Michigan dressed just five defensemen, only four of whom played in the third period. Furthermore, the Wolverines were without healthy scratches Kevin Magnuson and Bob Gassoff, who had been regulars on the defensive front.

In other words, a gamble to produce more offense somehow resulted in an incredible defensive effort.

"We took short shifts and kept it simple," Michigan captain Sean Peach said of playing with few defenders. "It was a little tiring, but it wasn't that bad. We came together as a team and we played hard tonight

"We played defensively, and we'll get our goals if we work hard. Defense wins. We're going to have to play tight defense and it'll show up on our scoreboard."

Sophomore forward Craig Murray, who has been centering the fourth line for the Wolverines for much of the season, was listed as the sixth defenseman.

Another noticeable absence in Saturday's game was center Mark Kosick, also a healthy scratch. Kosick is leading the Wolverines with five power-play goals.

"It wasn't that we were punishing anyone," Berenson said. "It was that we felt that there were players who weren't contributing or weren't getting the message. We decided that this was the team we had the best chance with.

"We put a real emphasis on playing good defense. We played our best players more often and they played very well throughout the game."

The changes are by no means permanent. Week in and week out, Berenson said the coaches will evaluate the team to see who is making the most of their opportunities.

On Saturday, in an additional strategic defensive move, Berenson inserted L. J. Scarpace as the starting goalie. Scarpace and sophomore Kevin O'Malley have been battling for the job ever since October, when starter Josh Blackburn was injured.

Scarpace was a key in the win, recording 15 saves. But all said, it was Michigan's team defense that saved the day and limited the Badgers' potent offense, which had demolished Michigan State 5-1 the previous night.

With most of the students out of town, the weekend's games were a chance for local fans to see this season's Wolverines. For those who only see the team once a year, there would have been several times when they may have recognized nary a name because all five players were freshmen.

This year, those freshmen have jelled. They play well together and convert on their chances.

"We have six freshman forwards," Berenson said. "Some times we have five of them on a power play. They're comfortable in that role - they're doing a good job. We need the freshmen and they've held up their part of the bargain."

Saturday's game and the previous losing efforts also had different results because of the sharp decline in penalty calls.

On Friday, Michigan and Minnesota spent a combined 64 minutes visiting with the penalty-box keepers. In contrast, Saturday, the Wolverines and the Badgers only recorded 18-total penalty minutes.

"It was one of the best officiating games we've seen," Berenson said. "Both teams kept their heads and both teams played hard. There were probably opportunities to call 10 more subtle penalties, but they didn't have to be called.

"(Referee Steve Piotrowski) didn't call them. He let the players play - it was a much better game."

Other key intangibles were luck - that appeared both as the absence of Wisconsin's top player, Steve Reinprecht, and a few good bounces - and desperation.

"Desperation is a key word and it should be in the character of our team," Peach said. "Always play desperate and don't give teams anything. We learned a lot the last three games about what it takes to win. We showed a lot of character tonight."

11-29-99