4B - The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - January 13, 1997 HocuEY I Malicke takes over for Turco, doesn't miss a beat Michigan 13, Alaska-Fairbanks 1. Alaska-Fairbanks 1 0 0 - 1 Mdi15 3 5 -13 First peiod -1. UM, Muckalt.16 (Frescoln, Morrison), 1:06; 2. UM, Hayes 1 (Ritchlin), 5:29; 3. UM, Berenzweig 4 (Muckalt, Fox), 10:54; 4. UM, Hayes 2 (Ritchlin, Schock), 13:14; 5. UM, Botterill 15j (Ritchlin, Legg), 14:11;1. UAF, MacFarlane 3 (Jaros, Williams), 18:00. Penalties - UAF, Hafele (tripping), 2:40; UM, Schock (high stick), 18:12; UAF, Coady (check from behind), 19:42. Second period - 6. UM, Morrison 13 (Leff, Schock), 0:48 (pp); 7. UM, Morrison 14 (Botterill, Muckalt), 2:55 (pp); 8. UM, Botterill 16 (Madden, Peach), R 11:28 (sh). Penalties - UAF, Epp (holding), 2:05; UM, Luhning (hooking). 4:07; UM, Frescoln (interfer- ence), 9:38; UM, Muckalt (elbowing), 12:30; UAF, Oakenfold (interference), 15:19; UAF, McNeill (slash- ing), 19:58.. Third period - 9. UM, Botterill 17 (Ritchlin, Frescoln), 3:36; 10. UM, Herr 20 (Schock. Magnuson), 6:19 (sh); 11. UM, Legg 10 (Crozier Muckalt), 7:29 (pp); 12. UM, Luhning 14 (Madden, Crozier), 12:19; 13; UM, Crozier 3 (Hayes, Legg), 19:03 (pp). Penalties- UM, Luhning (cross check), 5:14; UAF, Jaros (charging), 7:00; UM, Hayes (high stick), 13:20; UM, Frescoln (holding), 15:58; UAF, MacFarlane (slashing), 17:07. Shots on goal - UAF 8-6-7 - 21; UM 18-18-19 - 55. Poer Plays - UAF, Oof 8; UM, 4 of 7. Saves - UAF, Perkins 13-19-x - 22; UAF, Marvel x- 6.14 - 20; UM, Turco 7-3x - 10; UM, Malicke x-3-7 -10. Referee - Steve Piotrow ski. Un esmen - Don Cline, John Dobrzeewski. By Dan Stillman Daily Sports Writer Anyone who missed Saturday night's Michigan hockey game against Ferris State at Yost Ice Arena also missed an important Wolverine making his most important contribution thus far. Friday night, junior goaltender Gregg Malicke saw some action once the game against Alaska-Fairbanks reached the blowout stage - Michigan won, 13-1. After taking over midway through the second period, Malicke played well, stopping 10 Alaska shots on goal. Saturday night, the situation was much different when Michigan coach Red Berenson made the switch. With the Wolverines in danger of let- ting the game get away, Malicke came in and completely shut Ferris State down for the entire third period. After Michigan jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first period, the Bulldogs went to work immediately, scoring just 21 seconds into the second period. Junior goaltender Marty Turco and the Michigan defense went on to allow three more goals in the period, cutting the Michigan lead to 6-4. Turco was beaten on four of nine shots on goal in the peri- od. Each of the Ferris State goals came in a different fashion - power play, even strength, shorthanded and four-on-four. "The puck was going in too easy, and we had to make a change," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "Whether Turco becomes the scapegoat, not that it was his fault, we needed to make a change in the whole direction of the way the team was playing." And that's exactly what was accom- plished. Malicke stopped all 13 shots he faced in the third period, many of which came on Ferris State power plays. Meanwhile, the rest of the Wolverines, who had been outhustled by the Bulldogs in the second period, came back to life in the third, buoyed by Malicke's play. "If we need (Malicke) in crunch time then he got a taste of it tonight," Berenson said. "That's what I want to see. I want to see this kid come in and show the team and show everybody that he can make a difference in a game." Malicke also made a difference after the game. As the buzzer sounded, some extracurricular activity ensued in front of game!. - Red Berensor That's what W want to see. I want to see this kid ... make a difference in a Michigan hockey coach the Michigan net and Malicke -ot involved. "When you got a guy that's like 6- (foot)-6, 6-7 in front of you all the time, trash-talking, you can't get thrown off your game,' Malicke said. "But I see them trying to jump on our guys and we won the game, it's over ... that justol- ly makes me mad. "That's the key to being a good goal- tender, always being in control. But with no time on the clock, I don't care. .. I was defending my teammates." JONATHAN LURIE/Special to the Daily Gregg Malicke, shown here in action earlier this season, made a strong contribu- tion in Michigan's 8-4 victory over Ferris State on Saturday. The junior played a scoreless third period in relief of Marty Turco, making 13 saves. Michigan 8, Ferris State 4 Ferris State 0 4 0 -4 Michiin 5 1 2 - 8 First perod -1. UM, Herr 21 (Schock), 3:06 (pp); 2. UM, Fox 2 (Hayes, Merrick), 7:03; 3. UM, Legg 11 (Peach, Schock), 12:52 (pp); 4. UM, Legg 12 (Ritchlin), 17:12; 5. UM, Madden 11(Frescoln), 18:31. Penalties - FSU, Irwit (interference), 2:05; UM, Morrison (holding the stick), 9:29; FSU, Harris (interference), 12:20; UM, Frescoln (cross check), 13:45; UM, Herr (holding the stick), 19:49. Second period - 1. FSU, Roach 7 (Irwin, Steinmetz), 0:21 (p); 2. FSU, Harris 3 (Colborne), 3:34; 6. UM, Legg 13 (Schock, Muckalt), 9:34; 3. FSU, Hodel 7 (Bennetts), 12:21 (sh); 4. FSU, Steinmetz 5 (Roach, Colborne), 15:01 (4x4). Penalties - FSU, Kowalski (high sticking), 1:14; UM, Schock (high sticking), 1:14; FSU, Tessier (cross check), 7:26: UM, Merrick (roughing), 10:09: UM, Rominski (roughing, highstick- ing), 10:09; UM, Berenzweig (roughing), 10:09; FSU, Colborne (roughing, high sticking), 10:09; FSU, Hunt (roughing), 10:09; FSU, Homer (roughing), 10:09; FSU, Steinmetz (holding), 10:40; UM, Hayes (cross check), 12:56; FSU, Homer (interference), 13:40; UM, Turco (delay of game), 14:07; FSU, Irwin (interfer- ence),18:39. Third period-?7. UM, Legg 14 (Botterill), 5:29; 8. UM, Rominski 4 (unassisted), 9:05 (sh 3x4). Penalties-UM, Muckalt (interference), 7:08; UM, Luhning (unsportsmanlike), 8:43; FSU, Hunt (interfer- ence), 9:04; UM, Fox (checking from behind, game misconduct), 12:38; UM, Muckalt (high sticking), 18:21; UM, Peach (roughing, double minor), 20:00; UM, Frescoln (roughing, double minor), 20:00; FSU, Kowalski (cross check, game disqualification), 20:00; FSU, Hunt (roughing, double minor), 20:00. Shots on goal - FSU 7.9-13 - 29; UM 11-10-9 - 30. Power Plays - FSU, I of 9; UM, 2 of 6. Saves - FSU, Blashill 6-x-x -6; FSU, Szkodzinski x. 9-7 -16; UM, Turco 7-5-x -12; UM, Malicke x-x-13 - 13. Referse -John Kelly. Unesmen - Don Cline, Bob Faria. Don't expect back-to -back flat outings By Andy Knudsen Daily Sports Writer Maybe the Michigan hockey team is too good. The Wolverines can make this complicated game of hockey look so easy. Twice in the last two weeks, they have annihilat- ed opponents by 10 goals or more. But they have followed these games with disappointing efforts marred with focus problems and overconfidence. After an 1l-1 slaughter of Ferris State on New Year's Eve, Michigan was lucky to tie Cornell, 3-3, in a game they almost won in overtime but easily could have lost in regulation. "We had a lot of spectators (on our team) against Cornell," assistant captain Jason Botterill said. With the strong senior leadership and experience on this team, it won't come out flat two games in a row. Friday night, the Wolverines preyed on CCHA bottom-feed- er Alaska-Fairbanks, 13-1. Bill Muckalt put Michigan on the board in its first shift, and the pillage ofthe Nanooks' igloo vil- lage never let up. Michigan appeared to be repeating its New Year's thumping of Ferris State on Saturday, taking a 5-0 lead into the first intermission. Everyone in Yost Ice Arena thought the game was over, including Michigan. The Wolverines played a sloppy and unin- spired second period, giving up four goals to the Bulldogs, including only the second shorthanded goal scored against Michigan this season. "I can't remember us having such a good part of a game and then having such a bad part of the game all year," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. And for good reason. The Wolverines had not allowed four goals against them in a period since their 7-3 loss at Lake Superior on Feb. 24, 1996, 32 games ago. However, Michigan pulled a similar second period disap- pearing act at Notre Dame on Nov. 1, 1996, when it gave up three goals in the second after leading 5-0 at the end of the first. It won the game 6-3 after neither team could score in the third.e Fortunately for Michigan on O Saturday, Mike Legg singlehandedly equaled the Bulldogs' offensive out- put, and Michigan returned to form in the third period behind Gregg Malicke's efforts in goal. But what has become obvious is that the Wolverines are more likely to beat themselves than to be beaten. When they're on their game, it might be tough for some NHL teams to keep 'up. "The challenges are often mental as well as physical," Berenson said. Berenson also indicated that games which are supposed to be easy wins, like this weekend's games, are the hardest to pre- pare for and coach. "Any time you think it's easy, it's tough," he said. "And any time you know it's going to be tough, it might be easy." With the Wolverines' high-powered offense and tenacious defense, it's hard to blame them for occasionally getting bored and relaxed. Malicke admitted that Michigan's dominating play makes it hard for the goalies to stay awake when the puck spends most of the game at the other end of the rink. "I feel a lot of sympathy for Marty (Turco) at times because we only see like seven shots;" he said. "And even though that's great defensive play, and that's what we take pride in, it's still really hard for us goaltenders to stay mentally focused.' But focus problems have not been unique to the goal crease. The entire Michigan squad suffered from them Tuesday night and in the second period Saturday. With a home-and-home series with Western Michigan - which played tough at Michigan on Dec. 4 in a 3-1 losing effort - this weekend, and a two-game series with CCHA- frontrunner Miami (Ohio) at Yost next weekend, Michigan cannot afford more mental lapses. Michigan has enough talent to overcome one bad period against Ferris State, but a bad 60 minutes against Western Michigan or Miami (Ohio) could cost the Wolverines in the CCHA title run. With the Wolverines' experience and senior leadership, it's Mike Legg was knocked on his back, but not until after he. notched his thuid of four goals- against Ferris State on Saturday, en route to an 84 Michigan victory. MARK FRIEDMAN/Dalt Legg draws fans' praise, hats 1; By Mark Snyder Daily Sports Writer Now, Michigan left wing Jason Botterill has company. Prior to Saturday's contest against Ferris State, Botterill was the only current Wolverine to have scored four goals in a single game. Saturday, Michigan forward Mike Legg equalled the feat, tallying a quartet of his own in Michigan's 8-4 victory over Ferris State. Legg, a senior center from London, Ontario, extended Michigan's lead to 2-0 at 12:52 of the first period with an historic goal. The slapshot from Legg's stick was his 50th career goal, and his night was far from over. It wasn't long before Legg drew the headgear of the fans. His hat trick came with 11 1/2 % e minutes left in the second peri- od, and the forward had his sec- ond career three-goal game. "He was a threat all night," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. Legg's fourth goal came, coincidentally, on a feed from Botterill, who had recorded a hat trick of his own the previous night against Alaska-Fairbanks. The entire weekend showcased the talented Legg both giving and receiving. In Friday's 13-1 drubbing of Alaska-Fairbanks, Legg tallied a goal and three assists, which, com- bined with Saturday's outburst, totaled an eight- point weekend for the center. On the season, Legg has knocked in 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points. "It's surprising that he doesn't score more often;' Berenson said.."He has that kind of talent. (Legg) is a great player." That kind of talent also got Legg into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto - at least temporarily. It was announced this weekend that the stick he used to score the lacrosse-style goal against Minnesota in last season's NCAA Regional Final will be a part of a "Hockey in 1996" display at the Hall. THE RED ARMY: The dominating 13-1 rout by Michigan on Friday was one that Alaska coach Dave Laurion will not soon forget. "They really steamrolled us tonight," he said. "We just got waxed. I've been (at Alaska) 12 years and that's the worst drubbing we've ever taken." Michigan was overwhelming in the contest. It scored five goals in both the first and third periods, and four players (Botterill, Legg, Bill Muckalt and Sean Ritchlin) scored four points. point, three of them (Botterill, Brendan Morrison and Bobby Hayes) had at least two goals. But the victory was not only a result of outstand- ing offense, for the defense rose (or fell, depending on the point of view) to the occasion. The blueliners dove to the ice to block 15 shots, holding Alaska to a mere 21 shots on goal. ABSENT BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: The Nanooks cer- tainly had injured defenseman Erik Drygas on their minds when they played, as indicated by the Drygas jersey which hung behind the visiting bench throughout the game. Drygas was seriously injured in a practice earlier this season. While the initial prognosis appeared to be paralysis, he has since regained feeling in his arms and wrists. Michigan's presentation of a photo print of Drygas playing against the Wolverines last season was not unusual, and the gesture's effect was not lost on Laurion. "When we went to Michigan State, their booster club gave us the proceeds from the 50/50 draw and most places make some type of presentation" he said. "It's going to be a very slow and tedious recov- ery. (But) we certainly appreciate it." The CCHA contributed $5,000 to the Drygas fund, as well. LIKE A BROKEN RECORD: Michigan players con- tinue to assault the team's record books. Led by captain Morrison, more than a few Wolverines reached milestones this weekend. Morrison and Botterill both moved into the top 15 on the career goal-scoring list with 85 and 83 goals, respectively. Morrison is only eight assists behind Brian Wiseman for the career assist record and 20 points behind Denny Felsner on the career point record. Personal milestones were reached, as well. Legg and Matt Herr each netted their 50th career goals against Ferris State, and Botterill recorded his 150th career point. GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Not only is Michigan ranked No. 1 in the nation in all of the major polls, now some of its present and future players are rated highly as well. In the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's ranking of players, Michigan freshman forward Andrew Merrick was pegged at No. 11 on the list. His affil- iation with the NHL is in his blood. Merrick's father, Wayne, played in the NHL for 12 seasons, winning four Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders in the early 1980s. Recruits Mike Van Ryn, Geoff Koch and Scott Matzka, who have all signed to play for Michigan next season, were in the NHL rankings as well. Recruits are not ranked by number by the NHL until E' BULLDOGS Continued from Page 1B Ritchlin all had four points as wel, Bobby Hayes emerged as one ol the game's stars, notching a pair 'o1 goals - his first two of the season - and an assist. Hayes said although he hasn't been showing up on the score sheet as much as he'd like, he's pretty Mnuci satisfied - defensively, at-lea with the way he's been playing; He did admit, however, that certain teammates have kept his spirits up by poking fun at his lack of production, Someone left a copy of "The bobby Hayes Highlight Film" in Hayes' locker one day after practice. When Hayes tried it out, he found himsell watching a blank tape. Berenson said he was pleased with his team's effort, but, in typical - ion, he downplayed the lop ed score. "I don't think we're that good and] don't think they're that bad," he said. In October, the Wolverines beatthe Nanooks twice in Alaska, but both games were close - the two win came by a combined three goals. Alaska's home ice is Olympic- sized, meaning it is 15 feet wider than Yost Ice Arena. Alaska coach vE Laurion was asked whether the gtu might have been closer had the Nanooks been playing on a fargei surface, like the one in Fairbanks. "I don't think it would have mat- tered if we'd played on Lak : fa t i star.I