Toronto trip brings back memories for Berenson

By Ryan C. Moloney

Daily Sports Writer

Those with a flare for the corny might call it "once in a blue moon."

Michigan hockey's meticulous and intense coach Red Berenson misses games as often as Wayne Gretzky misses point-blank empty-netters. In light of such dedication, Berenson's absence from the Michigan bench to attend a ceremony at the Hockey Hall of Fame must have felt a little tedious.

Quite the contrary.

The celebration of the 1972 Canadian "Summit Series" team that defeated the Soviet team allowed Berenson to get back in touch with some long lost teammates, as well as to relive the spectacle of the team's impact on Canadian culture.

"This was a recognition of the 'team of the century,'" Berenson said. "We don't see each other very often" - during the series "we were only together for six weeks.

"We got to know each other and there is a spark there when we get together again, everybody is really enjoying it and each other."

The 1972 Canadian team, made up of the NHL's best Canadian-born players, engaged in an eight-game epic battle, billed "the Summit Series" in a nod to the frosty relations between the two countries during the waning peak of the Cold War era.

The Soviets took a 3-1 series lead over the Canadians after five games, with one game played to a tie. In order for Canada to win the series - and salvage political and hockey pride in the free world - they had to run the table on a team that was far more skilled and conditioned than anyone had expected.

And that's just what they did. With 34 seconds left in the third period of Game 8, Canada's Paul Henderson netted the tie-breaker to capture the series and one of Canada's proudest moments.

"In Canada, it was an unbelievable series in terms of the interest in the series - schools brought in TVs to watch it," Berenson said.

The memory of the series has not faded from the Canadian conscience. Hundreds of people showed up in front of the hall of fame in Toronto, Friday to witness the unveiling of a statue commemorating the team.

Berenson called the ceremony "really good, well done and well organized."

"I was at the Hockey Hall of Fame from 8:30 in the morning until 10:00 at night and then I drove home - there were a series of events. The media was unbelievable, everybody from Toronto was there," he said.

Berenson addressed the Wolverines on his absence last Tuesday, explaining the legacy and importance of the series in the recent history of North America.

"It really shows how a sport can influence people," defenseman Mike Roemensky said. "It puts a good feeling in us to know that our coach was part of something that special."

Huntzicker appeal: Berenson said yesterday that a request has been sent to the CCHA to review the circumstances of defensman Dave Huntzicker's disqualification after an altercation with Ferris State's Chad McIver on Friday night.

"The guy who came off the bench ended up being the guy who took Huntzicker out of the game," Berenson said.

Michigan alleges that if McIver was not allowed to leave the bench during an on-ice scrum on Friday night, Huntzicker would have been able to dress for the next night's game.

Huntzicker did not appear to drop his gloves or retaliate to McIver's punches.