Sports/Jewish Stars ood • spirits • 11-32 Goalie Splits MIKE ROSENBAUM Special to the Jewish News Winter Hours: Tuesday-Friday: Lunch and Dinner Saturday: Dinner Sunday: Brunch & Dinner 17546 Woodward Ave. U (2 blocks north of McNichols) niversity of Michigan soph- omore goalie Noah Ruden got his chance to shine in the annual Great Lakes Invitational tournament in December, and he didn't disappoint. The Bloomfield Hills Andover grad played very well as the Wolverines split two games. Ruden made five relief appearances in 1.5 seasons prior to the GLI. When goalie Al Montoya was selected to the U.S. team in the World Junior championships, Ruden gained his chance to start for U-M. The Wolverines lost the GLI opener to second-ranked Boston College, 4-1, but Ruden kept U-M in the game Ruden deep into the third period. BC led just 1-0 with 7:32 remain- ing. Ruden stopped 34 of 38 shots. "Ruden is in a tough spot," said U- M forward Eric Nystrom after the first game. "We were trying our best to play good defense and the goals they scored were on defensive breakdowns. He was back there making the saves he needed to make." Ruden earned his first col- lege victory the next day, as Michigan downed Michigan Tech 6-2. Ruden allowed one goal on 13 shots in 43 min-. utes of action. With the score 6-1, third-string goalie Mike Mayhew mopped up. Ruden also earned his first college Levine point when he drew an assist on a U-M goal. "I thought Noah, obviously starting both games, showed that he could give us a chance to win," said Michigan Coach Red Beremon after the second GLI contest. "He did a good job." "Getting that first win was fun," Ruden said, adding, "I thought about how experience might come into play and how that might help or hurt me. Granted this isn't junior (hockey)... I haven't played in many games since I've been here, but mentally and physically, I have been in situations where I've needed to perform. Regardless of not having the college game experience, I Detroit 313-865-0331 Closed Monday • Enter rear • Valet pal-king PEA RODY5 t z4- z t°4944 4 "1 A Birmingham Tradition For 25 ears Two Hours Free Parking In The Structure Directly Behind Peabody's Entertainment Friday & Saturday Nights One Lunch Or 0 % One Dinner Entry OFF When You Buy A Lunch Or Dinner Of Equal Or Greater Value Valid Mon.-Thurs. • With Coupon • Expires 1131104 248.644.5222 34965 Woodward ♦ Just South Of Maple Reservations taken for 8 or more 794610 ,AiMSW"\V‘ a Ot keep at v•‘kk evenT week Detroit The 3ewish News makes a. great nt, engagerae anniversary or new parent 1/ 9 2004 48 Help - them keep up with what's'-going on!' From births and wedding announcements to the all-new Arts and Life section, the 1Ni will keep them in touch with the Detroit Jewish community! 248-351-5174 DETROIT SWISH NEWS www.detroitjewishnews.com 791460 WARMATRWSAMONANSTZERIMEM, felt I still had enough experience in my career to draw on that in the game." Two current Andover students see regular action for the Birmingham Unified hockey squad. Sophomore Chad Schwalb plays right wing while freshman Jonah Mandell is a center. Two returning seniors provide key lead- ership at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook. Forward Matt Robins (7 goals and 2 assists last season) is a captain while Elliott Vilders (5 goals, 7 assists last year) plays left wing. Senior LeeTal Levran is one of Farmington Unified's goalies. The Tigers' December free agent shopping spree includ- ed veteran right-handed pitcher Al Levine. He was signed to a one-year deal worth a reported $925,000, plus a one-year team option. The 35-year-old Levine has pitched for five teams in his eight-year career. He spent two years with the White Sox and one with Texas before blossoming in Anaheim. He pitched at least 50 games in each of his four seasons with the Angels, who won the World Series in 2002, his final year with the team. Levine signed with Tampa Bay last season, then was traded to Kansas City in July. In 54 games with the two clubs; he posted a 3-6 record with one save and a 2.79 ERA in 71 innings pitched. His career numbers-include a 21-29 record plus 11 saves and a 3.75 ERA in 342 games. The versatile Levine can pitch either long or short relief and also started seven games with the Angels. All-Area first team midfielder Alex Grossfeld led a quartet of Jewish play- ers on the Berkley boys soccer team in the fall season. Grossfeld, a senior, was also a co-captain. The other three play- ers, all juniors, included defenders Michael White and Kyle Tasman plus midfielder Jesse Bean. 0 To submit information to the Jewish Stars column, e-mail: *orts@thejewishnews.coM;.