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Page 2-Friday, October 30, 1981-The Michigan Daily
Outlook
'81
Giordano stresses strength- again
By MARTHA CRALL
Defense wins games; without a solid
defense, a team will not win.
That is the gospel according to
(Michigan hockey head coach) John
Giordano. And for his and the
Wolverines' sake, he'd better be right
because that's the only established
strength the icers possess for 1981-82.
THE HIGHEST SCORING returning
forward is Ted Speers, who netted a
team-high 22 goals last season. Tied,
with 22 goals of his own, was Steve
Richmond, one of the veteran defen-
semen. Gone are the rest of the top
seven 1980-81 scorers.
"Basically the strengths and
weaknesses are the same things that
they were last year, to a varying
degree," said Giordano. "We don't
have people that can score goals, so our
offense, based upon pure offensive
power, is kind of weak."
But left is the strength of the team in
the form of defensemen. Michigan
boasts four seniors (five including for-
ward/defenseman Paul Brandrup) at
the blueline: co-captains Richmond and
Dave Richter along with Brian Lun-
dberg and Mark Perry.
"HAVING FOUR STARTING senior
defensemen is very encouraging," said
Giordano before the Michigan Tech
series last weekend. "However, they do
need to improve on defense still. That's
a key area for us.
"If they can continue to improve
defensively, inside the blueline-one-
on-ones, two-on-ones-I think we should
be alright."
Well, that was before the weekend
series with the Huskies at Houghton,
where underdog Michigan took two
games, 3-2 and 3-0. After Friday's win,
Giordano raved about the defensive
zone play, and he didn't have any com-
plaints after Saturday's shutout, either.
THE OFFENSE THIS season depen-
ds upon the defense. Giordano stresses
heavily defensive zone play by every
single skater on the ice.
"I think ... one of our strengths this
year will be our defensive zone play by
the five guys, not including the goalie,
inside the blueline," Giordano said.
Speers agreed. "We have a strong
defense, that means everybody," he
said. "Giordano's philosophy of defense
is that we stress that before we get into
offense."
THE BEST OFFENSE is a good
defense, by Giordano's theory. But the
first-year coach does think about offen-
se, it's just not number one.
"We have a great system," he said.
"The offensive zone play hopefully will
lead our offensive players to score
more goals."
Giordano's offensive system includes
European-style flow systems, where
the forwards circle and switch instead
of confining themselves to one lane
while skating up and down the ice. It's
not the most conventional system and
at this point, some players are having
some difficulty mastering it, especially
the newcomers.
"LAST YEAR WE had systems,"
said freshman James Huber, who
played with the Calgary Spurs in the
form which won him most exciting
freshman honors in 1979-80.
Tippett and Speers, who scored a hat
trick in Michigan's opener and four
goals on the weekend, will be counted
on to provide the major offensive
thrust, but it has got to be a total effort
if this team is to win consistently.
"OUR OFFENSE IS going to come
off our defense, mostly," said Speers.
"People look at me to score a lot of
goals this year but it all depends on how
we do in the.defensive zone, how people
move the puck.
"It's always good to have everybody
pulling together instead of everybody
sitting back and saying, 'well, this
guy's gonna do it or this line's gonna do
it.' You kind of get the' feeling that it's
going to be a combined effort and
you're not going to have any star."
- One of Michigan's only legitimate
stars in 1980-81, goalie Paul Fricker,
left with two years of eligibility
remaining to sign with the Hartford
Whalers of the National Hockey
League. That, along with the
graduation of Rudy Varvari and Bob
Sutton, the number two and three
goalies, left a virtually empty net this
season..
LEFT WAS INEXPERIENCED
senior Peter Mason and two freshmen;
Speers
By KENT WALLEY score goals.'
Can the Wolverine offense score the offensive
goals? That's a question well worth that system.
asking the icers this year. players to s
"We don't have people that can score Giordano. "T
goals, so our offense, based on pure of- is blaring rig
fensive power, is kind of weak," said people whoca
head coach John Giordano. "Our offen- score."
se is an unproven commodity. They Four otheri
have yet to prove to me they can offense this ,
score." junior Don K
LAST YEAR the offense was a big McCauley, an
question mark, too. As the season en- THE 6-1, 200
ded, the two leading scorers were as a defensem
defensemen, Steve Richmond and John will again thi
Blum. The fourth leading scorer with 22 scored 6 goal
goals and 23 assists was right winger season. This fa
Ted Speers (5-11, 180). Speers will be captain.
one returning keystone to the Michigan Krussman (
offense. 176) managed
Speers is quick to emphasize the im- last season. B
portance of the defense this year. "Our while Milburn
offense is going to come off our defense, played both c
mostly. People look at me to score a lot year.
of goals this year, but it all depends on Milburn col
how we do in the defensive zone-how goal againstP
people move the puck," he said. and he has mi
Other important starters with ex- past two seas
perience are seniors Dennis May (5-10, MC CAULE
175) and junior Brad Tippett (5-8, 175). bunch, a soph
May scored 15 goals last season with 21 last season. H
assists, while Tippett hit 9 and assisted games totallin
on 18. Three of Tippett's goals were on the Speers-
shorthanded. Despite ther
MAY SCORED two clutch goals last ters, two fres
season, including the game-winner potential score
against the Fighting Irish with 12 10, 180) from W
seconds remaining in overtime to give the season on1
the Wolverines a 7-6 win. line. Freshma
Giordano is concerned about the of- (6-0, 175) wi
fense, and is hoping that the Michigan Milburn and B
system of the offensive zone will help The other li
The Michigan Daily-Friday
heads ofen4
'We have a great system,
zone play, and hopefully
will lead " our offensive
core more goals," said
hat is the weakness, that
fht now. We don't have
gn just take the puckhand
icers return to boost the
year, junior Joe Milburn,
russman, sophomore Jim
nd senior Paul Brandrup.
pound Brandrup doubled
ban last year and probably
s year. In his dual role he
s and assisted on 11 last
all he returns as alternate
6-1, 180) and Milburn (5-8,
[8 and 5 goals respectively
Krussman assisted on 12
assisted on 13. Krussman
center and left wing last
lected the game winning
Michigan Tech last year
ssed only one game in the
ons.
EY, THE youngster of the
homore, saw little action
He played in only seven
ng no points. He will play
Tippett line.
number of returning star-
shmen have emerged as
ers. Center Jeff Grade (5-
Narren will probably begin
the May and Krussmans
an center Paul Kobylarz
ill probably skate with
3randrup.
ne will con t of junior
Billy Reid (5-8, 177), sophomore Steve
Yoxheimer '(5-9, 170) and senior Jeff
Tessier (5-10, 175). Last season this line
saw little action, but Reid managed to
score three goals, Yoxheimer one,
Tessier five.
GIORDANO IS impressed with rookie
Grade so far. "He's tough. He can play
the body. He's physical. He's a good
puck handler. He's got breakaway
speed. He's got to learn to be a little
more disciplined, but he's going to be
all right," commented Giordano.
Of Kobylarz Giordano said, "He's got
good speed. He's tough. He can score
goals. He doesn't back down from
anybody and he's smart. He's a little
rough
system.
but he's
But c
of the o
the offe
fense is
go," he
the tea
to last y
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far the
Giorda:
can jus
strengt
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ced that
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Cal
663.
Plc
In '
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Another semester all prepared for.
Now if I can just get it
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_
Richmond
... leads defensive corps
Canadian junior league. "But nothing
compared to these."
Freshman forward Paul Kobylarz,
who started last weekend, agreed.
"Here they have a lot of systems to get
accustomed to. The pace is a lot quicker
in the game," he said. "Those are the
two major things I had to adjust to."
Systems help the lackluster offense,
but the name of the Michigan game is
hustle and intensity. Giordano teaches
a physical game which means playing
the body 100 percent. And the success of
such a system was proven last
weekend.
BY PLAYING INSPIRED hockey at
a very fast pace, Michigan's defensive
zone efficiency, coupled with en-
thusiasm and aggressiveness on the ice
conquered Michigan Tech's relaxed
and talented offensive powerhouse.
That's exactly what Giordano has
taught, and he's hoping it will be
carried throughout the long season.
With players like Brad Tippett, that
physically demanding brand of hockey
looks easy.After a less-than-
spectacular season in 1980-81, the junior
left winger played his heart out last
weekend and once again displayed the
WORK IS PLAY FOR WILLIAMS:
Announcer adds life
Whi
By MARK BOROWSKI
Tonight's attendance, and we do
thank you, 5,164."
--Michigan hockey announcer
Glen Williams
Any fan that has attended a Michigan
hockey game has surely been treated to
this fine expression that echoes through
the barn on State Street, known to most
as Yost Ice Arena-Home of the
Wolverine icers.
But most spectators don't know who
this enthusiastic individual is that sits
at center ice, and battles the inept
public address system to relay
relevant information to Michigan.
hockey followers.
Glen Williams, a 1957 Michigan
graduate and currently the Director of
Constituent Programs fpr the Michigan
Alumni Association, is the man who
assumes this responsibility come every
Wolverine home hockey showdown.
And believe it when he says he really
loves what he does.
"I've got the easiest job in the arena.
There is no question about that. I an-
nounce only what other people tell me:
the coaches give me the starting
lineups, the referees tell me who scored
the goal or who the penalty is against
and why and the timekeeper gives me
the time and that's it." said Williams.
See WILLIAMS, Page 12
6- I I k f fh._Y
G
B..i
Exts
Richter
... co-captain
Jon Elliott and Mark Chiamp. Giordano
went with Elliott, who looked im-
pressive in scrimmages, to start last
weekend. It now looks like his goalten-
ding worries might be over.
The freshman from Spencerville, On-
tario stopped 49 of 51 Huskies' shots and
logged the first Michigan shutout since
1975. Giordano praised the performan-
ce of Elliott, who is a stand-up goalie
(as opposed to Fricker, who was a
"flop" goalie).
Giordano's next worry is the special
teams. The power play has not jelled
yet, but with time Giordano will
establish who will play in shorthanded
and power play situations and where.
With the abundance of suspect areas,.
Michigan will rely heavily on its big
strengths-defense, physical fast-
paced hockey and of course, the in-
tangibles. The success of the 1981-82
hockey team greatly depends on its
desire and its ability to work hard,
which- is .one thing that Giordano
shouldn't have to worry about.
Hockey Schedule
Oct. 23-24
Oct. 30-31
Nov. 6-7
Nov.,13
Nov. 14
Nov. 20.
Nov.21
Dec. 4-5
Dec. 11-12
Dec. 19-20
at Michigan Tech*
TORONTO
at Lake Superior*
at Western Michigan*
,WESTERN MICHIGAN*
MICHIGAN STATE*
at Michigan State*
OHIO STATE*
at Miami (O)*
NORTHERN MICHIGAN*
I
ANF
A
t
., .... .
Mr
THE DAILY
CLASSIFIEDS
ARE A GREAT
WAY TO GET
FAST RESULTS
CALL 764-0557
Jan. 22-23 ILLINOIS-
CHICAGO CIRCLE
Jan. 29 BOWLING GREEN*
Jan. 30 at Bowling Green*
Feb. 5-6 MICHIGAN TECH*
Feb. 12-13 MIAMI (O)*
Feb. 16 at Michigan State*
Feb. 19-20 at Ohio State*
Feb. 26 at Bowling Green*
Feb.27 BOWLING GREEN*
Mar. 5-13 CCHA PLAYOFFS
Mar. 19-27 NCAA PLAYOFFS
* Central Collegiate Hockey
Association
**NCAA Finals Mar. 25-27, Providence,
RI
ALL HOME GAMES AT
YOST ICE ARENA
Starting time 20 p.m.
T(except. Dec. 20, 2 p.m.)
/1~ 2.
' 'Br____
Dec. 28-29
GREAT LAKES INVITATIONAL
at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit
Michigan Tech, Michigan State
and Notre Dame
Jan. 8-9 at Ferris State*.
Jan.15-16 NOTRE DAME*
Jan. 18.MIbHIGAN STATE*
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