Fight for rst: 'M' beats State By Chris Grandstaff Daily Sports Writer EAST LANSING - On one end of the ice, senior captain Sean Peach congratulated the return performance of Josh Blackburn with an uninhibited celebratory leap into the young netminder's arms. The emotionally charged embrace after Michigan's 2-0 victory over Michigan State seemed to serve as a release both from the memories of Dec. 30, a 3-1 loss to Michigan State in the Great Lakes Invitational, and from the first half of the season missed by Blackburn. On the other end of the ice an all-out brawl was ensuing, with as many as five one-on-one confrontations occurring simultaneously. The fight started after Michigan State defenseman Brad Hodgins landed a crosscheck to the back of Michigan freshman J. J. Swistak as the game had ended. The hit led to the subsequent retaliation by the Wolverines, and a fighting on both sides. The most notable altercation was between Michigan's Bob Gassoff and Michigan State's Damon Whitten. After a furious exchange of punches, lost helmets, pulled hockey sweaters, and punishment - most of which was dished out by Gassoff - the two were finally separated. "I like to see the rivalry and the competitiveness," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "Because I don't think anybody that ever played for Michigan felt any different than what we saw there at the end of the game today. But you can't be involved in that. It wouldn't have happened if the players hadn't already been coming off the benches." Lost in the mix - too exhausted to fight - stood Blackburn. But he didn't need to fight - he'd already done his part. The sophomore goalie stopped 23 shots in his first game since Oct. 8. The shutout of the Spartans was the first by a Michigan goalie since Marty Turco accomplished the feat back in 1996. The win was also the first Michigan victory in Munn Ice Arena since Feb. 4, 1995. "It's special," Blackburn said. "It's special anytime you beat Michigan State. This is the first win I've had against them since I've been here. We've got a huge rivalry and everybody knows it. They played hard and we did too, I think we just got a couple more bounces." Michigan got a lucky bounce off the stick of Scott Matzka for the game's first goal. The Wolverines got on the board in the second period when Matzka redirected a low shot by Michigan defenseman Sean Peach. The puck popped over the right shoulder of Michigan State netminder Ryan Miller and into the back of the net. Michigan's second goal, which put the defensive game out of reach for the Spartans, was started when Blackburn made a soccer-style kick save out to the right boards where Mike Comrie picked up the puck. Comrie skated lazily down the right side before dropping the puck off to Hilbert, who sent a slap shot over the shoulder of Miller. "We got the goals we needed, we got the goaltending we needed, and the penalty killing that we needed," Berenson said. "It was a great victory for us, I'm glad we got a chance to play this team again." The Wolverines now stand tied atop the CCHA leaderboard with Michigan State after playing perhaps their most complete game of the season. And although no one knows exactly what the standings will be when the two teams meet again Feb. 25, there's no doubting that the intensity level will be at its peak - especially after Friday night's finish. The fight, which lasted for several minutes, resulted in nine separate penalties and the game disqualification of Michigan's Gassoff, Michigan State's Hodgins and Damon Whitten. After the melee the two teams were not allowed to shake hands. But before the Spartans could make it to the lockerroom Michigan's entire team celebrated on the large green 'S' at center ice - an act which was met with a chorus of boos from the Michigan State faithful. "The rivalry just took over at the end," Michigan center Andy Hilbert said. "There was a lot of adrenaline going through everybody, and I think they were pretty upset that we beat them in their own barn." the shoulder of Miller. "We got the goals we needed, we got the goaltending we needed, and the penalty killing that we needed," Berenson said. "It was a great victory for us, I'm glad we got a chance to play this team again." The Wolverines now stand tied atop the CCHA leaderboard with Michigan State after playing perhaps their most complete game of the season. And although no one knows exactly what the standings will be when the two teams meet again Feb. 25, there's no doubting that the intensity level will be at its peak - especially after Friday night's finish. The fight, which lasted for several minutes, resulted in nine separate penalties and the game disqualification of Michigan's Gassoff, Michigan State's Hodgins and Damon Whitten. After the melee the two teams were not allowed to shake hands. But before the Spartans could make it to the lockerroom Michigan's entire team celebrated on the large green 'S' at center ice - an act which was met with a chorus of boos from the Michigan State faithful. "The rivalry just took over at the end," Michigan winger Andy Hilbert said. "There was a lot of adrenaline going through everybody, and I think they were pretty upset that we beat them in their own barn." JESSICA JOHNSON/Daily Josh Langfeld is wrestled to the ice for his involvement in the skirmish that broke out after Michigan beat the Spartans, 2-0. Originally on page 1B in the 1-10-2000 issue of the Daily.