'M' skating, hitting itself into shape

By Ryan C. Moloney

Daily Sports Writer

To the untrained observer, the first few days of the Michigan hockey team's captains' practice might look like an NHL all-star game - intensity lapses, odd-man rushes and showboating galore.

But with next week's Blue and White game fast approaching, the atmosphere is anything but lackadaisical - the past week of practice has been characterized by an up-tempo pace, solid checking and exceptional playmaking.

"We want to simulate a game-type situation," assistant captain Scott Matzka said. "We really want to be prepared for the Ice Breaker Tournament coming up so getting ready early is definitely an important part of our preparation."

Michigan will host three NCAA Tournament teams - New Hampshire, North Dakota and Colgate - in the season-opening tourney.

Training room: Maintaining practice intensity is no easy task for the Wolverines, considering key players such as Andy Hilbert, Mark Kosick and Dave Huntzicker are steadily making their way back to game speed after dealing with injuries over the summer.

"I didn't expect Huntzicker to be back skating but he looks like he's ready to go, and Kosick's skating like he was at the end of last season," Matzka said.

Huntzicker sustained a knee sprain in Michigan's 4-3 overtime win over Colgate in the first round of last season's NCAA Tournament.

Kosick had a knee scope earlier in the summer and is dealing with minimal side effects.

"So far so good," Kosick said. "It's a little swollen right now and I'm a little worried about it. Hopefully I can keep the swelling down. When it is not swollen it feels unbelievable so the key is to control the swelling."

Icebreakers: It's been just four days, but already incoming freshmen Andy Burnes, Mike Komisarek, Joe Kautz and David Wyzgowski are making an impression with their new teammates.

"Komisarek and Burnes are going to be a big part of the team," Matzka said of the two defensemen. "Komisarek is a big guy and he's gone out there and hit a couple of guys hard."

Komisarek is 6-foot-4 and gives the Wolverines another tough, physical defenseman.

Matzka also praised Kautz and Wyzgowski for their physical play, believing it will carry over into the season.

Burnes inherited No. 4, last worn by defenseman Mike Van Ryn during the 1998-99 season. Kautz wears No. 11, worn last season by the now-graduated Andrew Merrick. No. 24, worn by last season's senior captain Sean Peach, now belongs to Wyzgowski.

Komisarek took No. 8, worn last season by sophomore Brad Fraser. Fraser now wears No. 7.