0 S ;4 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 WHE ceptionr far the Giorda: can jus strengt again,. ced that ced tha Cal 663. Plc In ' min II In your order .-4636 k Up 1s nutes Ann A rbor's F inest P i Opposite theDiag a 338 S.State 9 Serving Greek, Italian andAVii For Your Dningtear Our House Specialties Mousaka, Athenian Chicken, Spinach Pie, Sagenki;.ae sr many more. ktailsC 'nsive NDE is List Another semester all prepared for. Now if I can just get it together to study. _ 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* ROERSA4 he Best Travel A Costs You Nothing! 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