j-.'~ ~
Canham to host synchro meet
The Michigan synchronized swimming team will host the Big Ten
Invitational Sunday at Canham Natatorium. Competing in the meet will
be Michigan State, Illinois and Penn State. Figures competition starts
at 8 a.m., and routine competition will begin at approximately 11 a.m.
This will be the team's last regular season meet before zone
competition March 2 at Ohio State.
Friday
February 9, 1996
9
Micbigan
icers can t
affiord to lose'
By Nicholas J. Cotsonika
DailySports Editor
eague patsies rarely scare the Michigan hockey
m. But if either Notre Dame or Illinois-Chi-
cago plays giant-killer this weekend, the Wolver-
ines' destiny may not be theirs to determine.
"We can't afford to lose," said Michigan coach
Red Berenson. "We're still in the hunt for first
place. We still have a chance."
No. 4 Michigan (16-4-2 CCHA, 21-5-2 over-
all) is trying to catch No. 5 Michigan State (20-3-
0, 24-6-0) and No. 9 Western Michigan (16-4-3,
22-6-3).
,The Spartans are in first place with 40 points
and the Broncos are in second with 35. The
Wolverines only have 34 points, but they have a
game in hand on both Michigan State and West-
ern Michigan and will play the Spartans two more
times.
Forthe upcoming Michigan-Michigan State
games to determine the CCHA regular season
title, however, the Wolverines must win both of
MICHIGAN AT PURDUE, TOMORROW, NOON, WEST LAFAYETTE
This
Avoekend's
games
Who: Michigan at
Notre Dame and
Illinois-Chicago
When: Friday and
Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: South
Bend and Chicago
vs.
3-
UC
their games this week-
end.
Michigan plays at
Notre Dame Friday at 7
p.m. and at Illinois-Chi-
cago Saturday at 7 p.m.
"We're still in con-
trol," Berenson said. "If
we lose one more point,
we're out of control."
The Wolverines have
been in command when
they have faced the Fight-
ing Irish (5-14-3, 8-17-
3) and Flames (5-16-1,
8-17-3) this season.
Michigan obliterated Il-
linois-Chicago in the
Flames' weekend visit to
Yost Ice Arena Jan. 12
and 13, winning 9-3 and
9-1. Notre Dame didn't
fare much better, getting
blown out 11-1 at Yost
on Jan. 20.
Past success, or the fact
that the Irish are in eighth
place and the Flames are
tied for 10th, doesn't
Above: Maurice Taylor and Michigan hope they won't drop the ball against Purdue twice in one season. Photos by MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily
Below: Louis Bullock was floored by the Boilermakers last week. He will try to return the favor in West Lafayette tomorrow.
PURDUE
$TOMP ON
Cagers will attempt to
avenge home blowout
By Barry Sollenberger
Daily Sports Editor
At first glance, the Purdue men's basketball team
doesn't have much.
The Boilermakers don't have a true star. They start
only one player taller than 6-foot-7. And they have just
one guy who averages more than 10 points per game.
But, whoa, can they play. Just ask Michigan coach
Steve Fisher.
"Purdue is the best team in the league," Fisher said.
"They are the best team we've played ... that includes
(teams in the preseason), NIT and everybody."
The Boilermakers and Wolverines tip off tomorrow at
noon in West Lafayette. The game will be broadcast by
Creative Sports.
Tomorrow marks Round Two between Purdue and
Michigan this season.
Round One was all Purdue.
Back on Jan. 31, the Boilermakers pummeled the
Wolverines, 80-59, at Crisler Arena. Michigan has needed
the full 10 days to recover from that one.
"I think we were embarrassed when we played them
here," Fisher said. "That was the first game all year that
I looked at and said that we didn't compete. That's not
See PURDUE, Page 10
,.
mean anything to Berenson, however. Michigan
tied Ohio State twice in the past three weeks,
losing.two valuable points to a team that has been
in the basement most of the season.
"There are no easy games or easy wins in this
league," Berenson said. "And you expect games
Obt checked closer this time of year."
Ate season hits the home stretch, the Wol-
verines ry to fine-tune their game and prepare for
the playoffs.
Miphigan did start to play reasonably well last
weekend against Ohio State. But the Wolverines
came back from an impressive 7-0 blanking of the
Buckeyes with a 2-2 tie, earning only 3 of 4
possible points for the weekend.
Wedominated Ohio State (in the tie) more
than we 'have any team all year," Berenson said.
"We had more scoring chances than we've had all
"Their goalie kept the score down, and we
made some mistakes, and we tied. We haven't
been playing bad, but some little things haven't
been in place."
One of those has been the power play. Michi-
gan is the best team in the CCHA with the extra
man - the Wolverines' 28.2 percent is 3.2 per-
cent better than the next best team, Miami (Ohio).
But Michigan was only 2-of-13 last weekend.
"'We have to put the puck in the net when we're
Sthe power play," Berenson said. "With Brendan
(Morrison) back, that will help. But we've got to
do better."
Morrison is coming back from a wrist injury
that sidelined him for the past two games. His
return will help relieve a lineup that has no extra
forwards at this time due to injuries.
Freshmen Justin Clark and Sean Ritchlin are
both out. Clark is rehabilitating a knee problem
and is expected to be back within two weeks.
;Ritchlin is out for the season with a thigh
jury.
i
CCHA standings
Team (overall record)
1. Michigan State (24-6-0)
2. Western Michigan (22-6-3)
3. Michigan (21-5-2)
4. Lake Superior (20-5-1)
5. Bowling Green (18-11-1)
6. Miami (Ohio) (9-14-3)
7. Alaska-Fairbanks (7-19-1)
8. Notre Dame (8-17-3)
9. Ferris State (7-18-3)
10. Ohio State (5-14-5)
11. Illinois-Chicago (8-17-3)
Tonight's games
Michigan at Notre Dame
Bowling Green at Illinois-Chicago
Miami (Ohio) at Lake Superior
Michigan St. at Western Michigan
Ohio State at Ferris State
Waterloo at Alaska-Fairbanks
Won
20
16
16
16
12
8
7
5
5
3
5
Lost
3
4
4
5
9
11
18
14
15
14
16
Tied
0
3
2
1
1
3
0
3
3
5
1
Pts.
40
35
34
33
25
19
14
13
13
11
11
THEDUS HAS SnL "
Thank you for your
patience while we
remodeled.
Tomorrow's games
Bowling Green at Notre Dame
Miami (Ohio) at Lake Superior
Michigan at Illinois-Chicago
Western Michigan at Michigan State
Ohio State at Ferris State
Waterloo at Alaska-Fairbanks
r ' 7 ., n a
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