10A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 20, 1997 I SIX FREE BAGELS WHEN YOU BUY SIX OR MORE. NOW THRO UGH MARCH 2. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. MIA r m wirMA /aily Following center Mike Legg's example, the Michigan seniors have bent over backwards in an effort to help the team win. Their contributions to the program are evident as this class is on the brink of a fourth regular-season CCHA championship. Four years of stellar seniors essentzud to Yost atmosphere, M' tradition By Dan Stillman Daily Sports Writer The end is near. For many Michigan hockey fans, this weekend's games against Lake Superior will be the last chance to see this year's senior class of Wolverines at Yost Ice Arena. The atmosphere this weekend will be just like it has been at every other game at Yost in recent memory - rich with the excitement and traditions the fans have come to know and love. Indeed, the atmosphere surrounding Michigan hockey has taken on a life of its own. But fans must not forget the key to the phenomenon that is Michigan hockey - the players; more specifically, this senior class. During the 75th anniversary cere- mony of Michigan hockey, held between periods of Saturday's game against Notre Dame at Yost, public address announcer Glen Williams addressed the crowd. He said, "You' (the Michigan faithful) have created an atmosphere that says home-ice advantage." Williams was not completely cor- rect. The fans are devoted, without a doubt, but it is the graduat- ing class of nine - one that has already won a national cham- pionship, appeared in another NCAA semifinal, and is on the verge of its fourth CCHA title - that deserves the credit for what Michigan hockey is today. It is a class filled with some of the most talented athletes in college sports, and future stars. Of course, when you're talking about potential stars, Brendan Morrison first comes to mind. He is a great player and leader. The Michigan captain and Hobey Baker candidate broke the school scoring record Saturday night, and eclipsed the all- time assists mark Friday night. While the spotlight falls on Morrison, appreciate what all the seniors have done over the past four years. Appreciate Jason Botterill, who has been on the receiving end of more than a few of Morrison's assists over the years, including the one that broke the assists record. Appreciate the fact that Botterill took the ice in a Michigan uniform this sea- son, for he could have just as easily jumped ship for the pros after his junior year. Appreciate John Madden. In four seasons the forward has developed into, arguably, the hardest-working guy in the game. His NCAA-record 21 shorthanded goals makes him the most exciting and dangerous shorthanded threat in the nation. Appreciate Mike Legg and the gracefulness of his stico work. His famous lacrosse-style goal was no fluke. He prac- tices and prides himself on some of the best puck handling in the country. And don't overlook 6-foot-I, 196-pound Warren Luhning, whose size and scoring power resulted in three goals and six assists during last year's post-season title run. As great as these offensive stars are, they would not be as impressive without great defensive leaders. And who better to lead than assistant captain Blake Sloan. Appreciate Sloan who, as much as he's done for the Wolverines on the ice, has accomplished even more for tIf community off the ice. Appreciate Chris Frescoln, Harold Schock and Peter Bourke. Together, they are the foundation of the Michigan defense. A remarkable feat considering Schock and Bourke made the team their freshman seasons as walk-ons. Together, these nine seniors make up an extraordinary class. They are champions once already - and soon, maybe twice. Savor the final glimpses of these nine seniors. Fans should not take for granted what they've had the priv- ilege of seeing and experiencing at Yost these past four sea- sons. Understand that the atmosphere at Yost - the great ban the great cheers, the aura of Michigan hockey - does not exist on its own. It is fueled by the success of the players on the ice. Michigan hockey is not riding a wave of popularity just because of a great atmosphere. Without the talent, the former does not exist. Appreciate that these talented seniors are a class above the rest. Men's gymnasts remain positive* before hosting Illinois-Chicago HANG OUT WITH THE EINSTEIN BROS.. 307 State St. 761A9RRR By Ginger L. Zabel For the Daily The previous competitions may have been losses, but it can only get better when the Michigan men's gymnastics team faces Illinois-Chicago at Cliff Keen Arena on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Wolverines will be meeting the Flames for the first time since the Windy City Invitational in January. Michigan is coming off of a Feb. 8 loss in a double- dual meet to Minnesota and Michigan State in which the Wolverines' score slipped below their usual standards - opening the door for a Michigan State victory. Consistency was one of the team's main focuses during the first half of the season. Since facing its Big Ten rivals, the team has had a weekend off from com- petition and has used the time to work out some new routines, which will finish upgrading the level of difficulty in their events. After posting its highest score of the year against Ohio State in its last home meet, Michigan will be seeking to improve once again this weekend at home. "We're looking to go higher," Michigan sophomore Randy D'Amura said. "We're looking for 220." The No. 16 Wolverines will have to go higher than their previous scores if they want to upset Illinois-Chicago - which is currently ranked 13th in the nation. "We're capable of that," Michigan coach Kurt Golder said. "They're a cut above us and I have a lot of respect for their team. But we're within striking dis- tance." The Wolverines have been moving closer to a quality victory against a top- flight opponent. Last year, their highest score was 20 points behind that of the national champions. This year the team hopes to cut that difference in half. Of Golder's goals for the team, 8.8 points have been achieved. The other 1.2 points are yet to be gath- ered. This may be the deciding weekend. Despite what happens, Golder already feels "pretty good" about his team's accomplishments thus far. One thing that they want to improve, however, is their hit percentage. Over the past few meets they have been below.60 percent. Another of the team goals is to "(Ilinois- Chicago) is a cute above us ..But we're within striking distance,." - Kurt Golder Michigan men's gymnastics coach improve to the point where they c* complete 85 percent of their events. Michigan's Jose Haro, who is tied with Illinois-Chicago's Shannon Welker for 12th-place nationally in the floor exercise, will lead the Michigan charge this week. Haro placed 19th in the all-around in Chicago with a score of 56.350. He can expect a challenge from Welker, who is 21st with a 56.15 in the same event. The Wolverines can expect a diffict competition this weekend, but hope its record of continuous improvement will lead to a check in the win column. BIG TENS M1AWKFYFq per game, will have to contend with an