Criticized senior class buries chances

By Arun Gopal

Daily Sports Writer

COLUMBUS - "Senior leadership."

It's a phrase that's bandied about frequently in discussions of collegiate athletics. Regardless of the sport, people always talk about how important it is for a team's seniors to set a good example for their younger teammates.

The term is used so much that it is becoming a cliché. But, like many other clichés, it proves true, time and again. The Michigan hockey team is a perfect example.

The Wolverines put together a seven-game unbeaten streak heading into the Christmas break. The tear elevated Michigan to No. 4 in the national rankings - more importantly, it looked as though the Wolverines were showing the form that earned them a No. 2 preseason ranking.

Then, disaster struck - Michigan was bludgeoned in two GLI games, losing 7-3 to Michigan Tech and 8-5 to Boston College. In fairness, the Wolverines were missing several players due to injuries and the World Junior Championships.

But, the seniors performed dismally as a class in the two losses, and the defeats were so thorough that they left the Wolverines shell-shocked.

Last weekend brought some relief, as Michigan swept Lake Superior. But, the celebration was temporary - Ohio State snapped a five-game losing streak by beating Michigan, 3-1, on Friday at Value City Arena. Once again, the Wolverines were left scratching their heads.

"It's getting pretty frustrating," junior Craig Murray said after Friday's loss. "We talked about being ready, but we came out pretty flat. We didn't have that bite."

Michigan desperately needed to find "that bite" for Saturday's game, and it did. The Wolverines trounced Ohio State, 6-2, but the bigger story was the reemergence of Michigan's senior class.

Seniors Geoff Koch (a goal and two assists), Scott Matzka (a goal and an assist) and Josh Langfeld (a goal) all made much-needed offensive contributions at a time when the Wolverines were relying heavily on sophomores Mike Cammalleri and Andy Hilbert for scoring.

While Cammalleri and Hilbert scored their usual points, Michigan's elder statesmen came through when the team needed it, and the result was a crucial road victory.

"We need me and Langfeld to produce every night," Matzka said on Saturday. "As two of the top players on the team, it's good to have us scoring."

During the aforementioned seven-game unbeaten streak, most of the Wolverines' offense came from the dynamic duo of Hilbert and Cammalleri. The pair ranks among the leading scorers in the NCAA, but Michigan had been searching for a more balanced attack.

Naturally, fans began looking to the seniors to produce more. But until Saturday's game, offensive contributions from the senior class had been inconsistent at best. In the seniors' defense, their offensive struggles did not totally compromise their defensive play.

"To me, it's not the goals, it's whether they're playing well," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "They've been playing hard through this stretch. I can't measure them in terms of their goals, I have to measure them in terms of their effort."

Nevertheless, it's impossible to discount the team-wide impact when the senior leaders generate offense, as they did in Saturday's win. Seeing Matzka put the puck between a defenseman's legs, regain control and fire a wrist shot between Ohio State goalie Mike Betz's pads was a welcome sight for the Wolverines as they attempt to reel in No. 1 Michigan State in the CCHA race.

"Our senior class has really been working hard lately. We've been trying to take control and lead this team by example," senior defenseman Bob Gassoff said. "It's nice to get something back."

ALYSSA WOOD/Daily

Josh Langfeld and his senior classmates took advantage of their opportunities on Saturday night and led the Wolverines to a 6-2 win.