Page 6-The Michigan Daily-Sports Monday- March 29, 1993
C
Wu ints
'M' hockey displays
heart, determination
in comeback victory
,
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6
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Senior David Roberts skates along the boards. Roberts recorded the game-winning goal during overtime. It was his 26th goal of the season.
SCORE BY PERIODS
Wisconsin 0 1 2 0- 3
Michi an 1 0 2 1- 4
First Period: 1, UM, Oliver 12 (pp)
(Neaton, Roberts), 10:57. Penalties
- UW, Strobel, tripping, 10:45. UW,
Doers, interference, 14:25.
Second Period: 2, UW, Moore 17
(Shier, Katlaps), 1:45. Penalties -
UW, Francisco, roughing; UM,
Sittler, roughing, 1:50. UM,
Wiseman, interference, 15:04.
Third Period: 3, UW, Williams 6
(Granato, Francisco), 6:31. 4, UM,
Willis 3 (Stone, Knuble), 11:05. 5,
UW, Tok 3 (Shier, Rafalski), 14:07.
6, UM, Stewart 20 (Wiseman,
Oliver), 16:13. Penalties - UW,
Strobel, roughing; UM, Halko,
roughing, 19:02.
OT: UM, Roberts 26, 1:35
Goalie Saves: UM, Shields (8-9-9 -
0-26). UW, Carey (7-10-11-1-29).
Officials: Referees - Steve
McBride, Rich Fowkes. Linesman
: John Jones.
At: Joe Louis Arena
HOCKEY
Continued from page 1
Wolverines displayed that com-
posure and hit pay dirt a little more
than two minutes later as Cam
Stewart bunted the puck out of the
air, bouncing it off the ice and into
the net.
"We worked for our goal," Ste-
wart said. "It's not luck that it went
in. Some of our best shifts were after
they had scored."
Michigan proved that earlier in
the game when Rick Willis erased
the Wolverines' first deficit with his
third goal of the season at the 11:05
mark of the third period. The goal
left the game deadlocked at 2-2.
"It was definitely the biggest goal
of my career," Willis said.
Wisconsin coach Jeff Sauer said
he was angered with the way his
club allowed Michigan to get back
'This was as tough of
a game as we've had
all season. I thought
we would have more
of the advantage.'
-Red Berenson
Michigan hockey coach
into the game.
"I was disappointed in the way
they scored the second and third
goals," Sauer said. "We didn't do a
good job of defending our assign-
ments."
The Wolverines found them-
selves down a goal because of some
aggressive play on the part of the
Badgers.
"At times in the second period,
they forechecked us real well,"
Michigan coach Red Berenson said.
"They forechecked well in the
crease. This was as tough of a game
as we've had all season. I thought
we would have more of the ad-
vantage."
Michigan got the first advantage
of the game when David Oliver
ripped home a backhand pass from
Neaton. The power-play goal put
Michigan up, 1-0, at the 10:57 mark
of the opening stanza.
The power-play opportunity was
one of the few man-advantage situa-
tions for either team. The Wol-
verines were denied on their other
chance while Wisconsin was blank-
ed the only time it was up a player.
Despite the few penalties called,
seven in all, intensity was something
neither side was lacking.
"I have never experienced a game
that intense," Neaton. "It was quite
an experience to come down here
and play a game like this."
HOCKEYNOTEBOOK
Wolverines set to face Maine in semis
by Brett Forrest
Daily Hockey Writer
DETROIT - When Wisconsin defenseman Chris Tok's slapshot
found its way through Michigan goalie Steve Shields' legs at the 14:07
mark of the third period to put the Badgers up 372, you had to think the
game was over. You just had to.
The Wolverines played what looked like their toughest hockey for 54
minutes with the inspired Badgers matching them throughout. Michigan
came out of the gate fired up and ready to play in this, the biggest game
of the year to date.
Michigan's scoring opportunities were plentiful but the team could
convert only a few. Wolverine forward David Oliver's nifty power-play
goal opened the scoring in the first period. Wisconsin freshman goalie>
Jim Carey stopped several quality chances during the first two periods as
Michigan was continually frustrated.
In the second, Badger Blaine Moore matched Oliver's goal with one
of his own. After two periods the teams were tied at one on the
scoreboard and 18 on the shot chart.
Wisconsin opened the third-period scoring six-and-one-half minutes
in on a tally by center Max Williams, with the Wolverines caught
scrambling and out of position. It took a little over four minutes before
fourth-line left wing Rick Willis scored his third goal of the season, into
an open net created when Carey could not control the rebound on a Mike
Stone shot.
The stage was set.
Often, in an important game such as this, a mistake dooms a squad. It
was the NCAA quarterfinals. It was the third period. It was Michigan
and Wisconsin playing down to the wire. Something had to crack. What
happened? Shields made the mistake.
When Shields was beaten on a routine, unscreened point shot with
less than six minutes to go, it looked as if the Wolverines were destined
to lose to the Badgers for the second straight NCAA tournament. The
Wolverines grinded and mucked for the whole game. Shields made key
stops earlier in the contest. Michigan coach Red Berenson shortened his
bench.
They were giving it their all and when that goal snuck in with
precious few ticks left on the clock, it looked as if Michigan's season
was a done deal. But this team just would not let that happen.
"Somehow, some way, for some crazy reason, I knew we were going
to win the game," Oliver said. "(Even after Tok's goal) I still felt totally
confident we were going to win the game."
"We were as ready to play this game as any game all season,"
Berenson said. "I really believed they would find a way to do it, and
they did."
For some crazy reason Michigan did come back just two minutes
later. The reunited junior threesome of right wing Oliver, left wing Cam
Stewart and center Brian Wiseman stormed the Wisconsin zone with
less than four minutes remaining in regulation.
With Stewart camped in front of Carey, Wiseman sent a shot on net.
The puck popped in the air and Stewart swung and connected to knot the
score at three. The BOS line came through - but that was expected.
"This week we talked about whether we were up or down in the
game, we had to keep the same mindset," Stewart said. "We knew we
were never going to quit. We knew we were going to win."
"It's a big thing for this team not to lie down whether we're ahead or
behind," Wiseman said. "We were all positive on the bench even after"
that minor setback (Tok's goal). There was not one time I thought we
were going to lose."
The last four minutes of regulation saw the same tight-checking game
that prevailed all night. There were chances at both ends, though, and
with nine seconds left, Shields made a point-blank stop off a faceoff at
the right circle. One mistake was enough.
The BOS line started the overtime period for Michigan and almost
put the biscuit in the oven. After the first shift for the juniors, the all-
senior line of Mark Ouimet, Dave Roberts and Dan Stiver took the ice.
A minute-and-a-half into the extra period, Roberts dangled through and
around the Badger defense and caught Carey out of position to put the
game in the books.
"We had our fingers crossed. It was all positive energy," Roberts
said. "We knew that sooner or later the dike had to break."
It is uncanny. Most Wolverines said they had a feeling of overriding
confidence even after the team was down, 3-2, with six minutes to go.
Other teams - even recent Michigan squads - might have been
disheartened or may have just plain given up after a blow like that.
However, this team showed the character, desire and charisma to win the
tough game.
"A game like this shows you what kind of team you have," Berenson
said.
Blue finds sweet revenge
in victory over Wisconsin
0
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by Chad A. Safran
Daily Hockey Writer
DETROIT - The much antici-
pated matchup is set.
Michigan will get its shot at
No. 1 Maine in Thursday's NCAA
semifinals at the Bradley Center in
Milwaukee. The Black Bear's de-
feated Minnesota, 6-2, Saturday in
the NCAA East Regional at the
Centrum in Worcester, Mass.
Freshman center Paul Kariya led
the way scoring two goals while
assisting on two others.
In the other game out East,
Boston topped Northern Michigan,
which was a surprise 3-2 double-
overtime winner over Harvard
Friday, 4-1, to earn a matchup with
Lake Superior. Mike Bavis scored in
the opening minute of the game to
get the Terriers off and running.
Lake Superior defeated
Minnesota-Duluth to gain a
semifinal berth for the second
consecutive season. Brian Rolston
scored two goals within 59 seconds
of each other in the second period
for the Lakers.
NOT AGAIN: Freshman center
Kevin Hilton reinjured his right
shoulder in the second period. The
Wolverines third-line center fell to
the ice after a body check, causing
the reseparation. Hilton, who missed
two games last month from the orig-
inal shoulder injury, should be fine
for Thursday's semifinal.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME: It
hss been quite a while since
Michigan's last back-to-back ap-
pearances in the NCAA semifinals.
The last time this feat was accom-
plished was the 1955-56 and 1956-
57 seasons. Vic Heyliger coached
the clubs to a championship and
runner-up finish, respectively.
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0
Michigan's Mike Stone breaks his stick on a slapshot during the third period of the Wolverines' victory Saturday.
The broken stick may have cost the Wolverines a break-away goal due to the lack of power behind the shot.
In addition, it had been 13 sea-
sons since Michigan last defeated
Wisconsin. In 1980, the Wolverines
came away with an 8-4 triumph over
the Badgers in Madison.
CASHING IN ON OVERTIME
PAY: The win over Wisconsin
marked the first time Michigan had
come away victorious in overtime.
The Wolverines were 0-1-3 in their
previous games with an extra
session.
POSTSEASON SUCCESS: With
its appearance in this year's NCAA
tournament, Wisconsin added to its
NCAA tournament record number of
wins. The Badgers victory over
Miami gave them a total of 28
NCAA post-season wins.
TOPPING THE CHARTS: David
Roberts continues to lead the
Wolverines in scoring. With his goal
and assist, the senior forward now
has 64 points.
AMAZIN' MAIZE: The
Wolverines dawned their maize
jerseys for the fifth time this year
against Wisconsin. With the 4-3
overtime victory over the Badgers,
Michigan is now 5-0 when wearing
those uniforms, including victories
over Northern Michigan, Michigan
State, Bowling Green and Lake
Superior.
ANYONE NEED TICKETS: If
you are one of the people looking for
tickets to the NCAA hockey semifi-
nals and finals, they will be available
today beginning at 8 a.m. at the
Athletic Ticket Office.
GET SERIOUS!
by Tim Rardin
Daily Hockey Writer
DETROIT - It wasn't as if the
Michigan hockey team needed any
extra incentive for its NCAA quar-
terfinal game Saturday. The chance
to advance to the Final Four of col-
legiate hockey for the second
straight year ought to be enough.
But, the fact that the Wolverines
got the chance to play Wisconsin,
the team that knocked them out of
the tournament in last year's NCAA
semifinal game, sure didn't hurt.
"We were excited about the
possibility of redeeming ourselves,"
Michigan senior captain David
Harlock said.
And after senior forward Dave
Roberts knocked home the game-
winner 1:35 into the overtime pe-
riod, that possibility quickly became
reality. Michigan had tasted sweet
adding an empty-netter to send
Michigan home early with the 4-2
victory.
This time, even though the
Wolverines were playing a different,
and less talented, Wisconsin squad,
and even though the Badgers were
the lowest seed in the East coming
in, they seemed destined to do it to
Michigan again.
But the Wolverines would not
could not, suffer the same fate again.
Just two minutes after the Badgers'
go-ahead goal, junior Cam Stewart
tapped in an airborne puck at the left
corner of the Badger net to notch the
score at three. Somehow, after that
goal, you just knew that this game
would be different, but the Michigan
players never doubted that fact.
"We knew we were going t
win," Stewart said.
Roberts' score simply proved
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0
it
Spring/Summer Special
$12'9
(regular $169)
677-1315
U U
NCAA FINAL FOUR
New Orleans
Apr 2-6, 1993
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