Icers in Alaska to hone power play

By Jon Schwartz

Daily Sports Writer

The Michigan hockey team can never be accused of avoiding challenges. And the cavalier scheduling almost took its toll on the Wolverines in the season's opening weekend.

Going into the year ranked No. 2 in the country by U.S. College Hockey Online, Michigan opened its season in the prestigious Ice Breaker tournament at Yost Ice Arena.

As the two ties proved, the Wolverines could just as easily be 0-2-0 or 2-0-0 instead of the current tally, 0-0-2.

And as they compete in the Johnson Nissan Classic this weekend in Anchorage, Alaska, the Wolverines will have the benefit of learning from last week's problems and mistakes to create this weekend's success.

The Wolverines will face Merrimack and Alaska-Anchorage in the tournament that also features CCHA rival Michigan State.

And while the team has proven that it is capable of playing with some of the nation's best teams, it will rely on making improvements to put the first win of the season on the board.

Of particular necessity this weekend for the Wolverines is to establish effective special teams. In its first two games, Michigan gave up 6 power play goals out of 20 chances, while scoring four of their own on 21 power plays.

"In college hockey, a lot of games are decided on the power play or penalty kill," sophomore center Mike Cammalleri said. "Our goal is to be a plus team in special teams which means that we score more on our power play than they score on theirs. If we can do that, it'll help us win some games."

Both teams that the Wolverines will face rank near the bottom of their conferences' preseason polls, a pleasant relief after last weekend's games.

But Michigan is not ready to look past anyone, and knows that nonconference wins will help the team's seeding come postseason. With that in mind, an impressive showing is important.

"You want to make a good impression around the nation," Cammalleri said.

Despite the great distance being traveled for the tournament, Michigan does know bits and pieces about the competition that it will face.

"They're probably going to be like most of the teams in our league, clutch and grab a bit - a little less skilled," senior Scott Matzka said. "They'll maybe send one guy forechecking and look for us to make mistakes."

Meanwhile, Cammalleri is excited to face Merrimack to be reunited with an old friend.

"A good friend of mine who I played juniors with plays there now," he said. Anthony Aquino "was my right-winger for about six years in minor hockey so we know each other pretty well."

This weekend is the final tune-up for the CCHA season. Michigan starts conference play next weekend with two games against Bowling Green.

Sullivan Arena

This Weekend

What: Johnson Nissan Classic (Anchorage, Alaska)

Who: No. 4 Michigan (0-0-2) vs. Merrimack (Tonight), vs. Alaska-Anchorage (Tomorrow)

When: 9:05 p.m. tonight, 11:05 p.m. tomorrow night