HOCKEY The Michigan daily - SPORTSMonday - March 17, 1997 - 5B r ban stone quals Morn y Dan Stillman >ail Sports Writer DETROIT - Despite being voted the CCHA ament's Most Valuable Player by the n ia, Michigan captain Brendan Morrison was iot a cut-and-dry choice. While Morrison netted two goals and three ssists on the weekend, including the champi- nship game-winner over Michigan State, the uy who may have done more for his team over he,:weekend was Michigan State goaltender had Alban. The junior goaltender from Kalamazoo made rilliant saves in a losing effort against the Sverines in Saturday night's game. Alban also Miami (Ohio) scoreless in the third and vertiine periods in the Spartans' come-from- ehind, 4-3 victory in Friday's second semifinal. Alban turned into a brick wall after giving up wo goals in the first 3:20 of the championship ame. The first Michigan score came on a saveable rist shot off the stick of right wing Warren uhning. The second - not-so-saveable - was chip shot by Morrison on a breakaway. Right va Dale Rominski scored an empty-netter in closing seconds for the Wolverines' third oal. Throughout the remainder of the game, Alban M' passes f s Wolverines, [son s play shut down the Wolverines - rejecting Michigan shots with outstretched pads and spearing others with his glove. Alban stopped 19 of 21 shots in the game, several on golden Michigan scoring opportunities. In the second period, Alban helped kill a Michigan power play by repeatedly clearing the puck the length of the ice. Then, in the third period, Alban stopped a shot by Luhning, and then somehow snagged Luhning's close-in rebound shot out of mid-air. Alban even assisted on the Spartans' only goal of the game with a lead pass to center Mike York on the power play. Saturday wasn't the first time the Wolverines have had trouble with Alban this season. On Feb. 8, also at Joe Louis Arena, Alban baffled the Michigan offense, stopping 22 of 23 shots in a 2-1 Michigan State victory. "He's sort of had our number," Morrison said. "He's a good little goalie. He comes out and challenges. He reacts quickly, he's very talent- ed." Of course, without the potent Michigan offense, Alban wouldn't have had the opportuni- ty to make as many saves as he did. "It's fun to play against a team like (Michigan)," Alban said. "You get your chances. They're gonna get a lot of good opportunities. WARREN ZINN/Daily Michigan State goaltender Chad Alban was up to the task on this shot, as he was for most of the week- end. He was named to the all-toumament team despite giving up two goals in the final. "The TheeStars The Michigan Da 1-ockey writers' picks for Michigan's three stars of the weekend: Third Star: Sean Peach, D The freshman bluelner looked like a veteran this weekend as he con- tributed to a strong team defensive effort in which the Wolverines allowed just three goals in two games. Saturday, with Michigan pro- tecting a one-goal lead, Peach dove to the ice to thwart a third-period breakaway by Michigpn State's Tony Tuzzolino. Second Star: Jason Botterill, LW The senior was named to the all-o nament team after he tallied four points (one goal, three assists). And the most amazing stat of the week- end: just one measly two-minute penalty for Botts. First Star: Brendan Morrison, C Another weekend, another award for Brendan Hobey .. er, Morrison: he was named tourney MVP after scor- ing two goals and adding three assists over the weekend. No sur- prises here, however, as Morrison gave all the credit to his teammates. CCHA Honors The 1997 CCHA all-tournament team: G Chad Alban Michigan State D Chris Bogas Michigan State D Mike Weaver Michigan State F Brendan Morrison Michigan F Jason Botterill Michigan F Mike Watt Michigan State Tournament MVP: F Brendan Morrison Michigan Hobey Finalists The 1997 Hobey Baker Memorial So it's your chance to shine." Michigan goaltender Marty Turco also had a good weekend. But Turco wasn't forced to step up the way Alban did. Turco, who gave up three goals in two games, saw 29 shots on the weekend, far less than the 52 Alban faced. "When (Alban's) down there making saves, I can't do nothing on my end if I'm not seeing a lot of shots," Turco said. "I try to stay focused and ready, stop the ones that I can and maybe stop the ones that I can't." Should Alban continue his hot streak, the Spartans just might be a factor in the NCAA tournament, where it never hurts to have a hot goaltender. irst real test, but rough road awaits By Andy Knudsen Daily Sports Writer DETROIT - By now, winning the CCHA playoff title should feel as commonplace as waking up and going to class for the Michigan hockey team. The Wolverines have won the postseason trophy three of the past four seasons and two years in a row after Saturday's 3-1 victory over Michigan State. But the singing of "The Victors!" in the locker- room sounded as enthusiastic as ever as it was heard through closed doors and over Michigan State coach Ron Mason's abbreviated press conference. "This is still a very important tournament in our minds:' Berenson said. Besides etching their names in another confer- ence trophy and evening the - score with a pesky Michigan State team, Saturday's victory was r important for other reasons. It was Michigan's fourth playoff game, but the first one with a true playoff atmosphere. For the first time in the postseason, Michigan was tested in a tight, hard-fought contest for 60 minutes. And the Wolverines passed the test. Before the Spartans knew it, Michigan was up 2-0 after scoring on two of its first three shots. But Michigan State was able to clog things up for the rest of the game, killing off their last six penalties and staying within striking range. "It was a good game for our team to play in because every shift was important and we're trying to hold a one-goal lead," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. Michigan also had to play with a shortened bench for most of the championship game after Greg Crozier received a game misconduct for checking from behind at 16:50 of the first period. But everyone stepped up - or maybe stepped back - and played strong defense. The Spartans were held to just 15 shots Saturday night. Friday, they erased a three-goal deficit in the third period to beat Miami (Ohio) in overtime. But Saturday, the Spartans only got two shots on goal in the critical third period. "That's a tribute to our defense," Michigan goalie Marty Turco said. "I didn't see a large number of shots, I didn't have to make numerous saves to keep us in it." Brendan Morrison added that Michigan's defense- men are "not too noticeable because of the style we play - they're not too offensive. But those guys did a great job containing Michigan State - they've got some pretty nifty forwards. And we really didn't give them too many quality chances." Michigan State had a great chance to tie it when Tony Tuzzolino seemed to have a breakaway down the left side 7 1/2 minutes into the third. But freshman defenseman Sean Peach caught up to him, dove from behind and was able to poke the puck away with his stick without tripping Tuzzolino and drawing a penalty. "I think it was lucky to get the puck" Peach said. "I was basically just trying to trip him up. I just reached around and got the puck" Luck or not, he thwarted the Spartans' last quality chance to tie the game. "I haven't seen Peach skate that fast," Berenson said. "Here's a freshman who has continued to get better all season long and is playing a big role on our team. "He made maybe the play of the game - the defensive play of the game, to get back and make a clean play. It doesn't show up in the statistics but coaches and goalies appreciate that." The Wolverines passed Saturday's test, but a much bigger test looms Sunday when they will meet the winner of Minnesota and Michigan State in Grand Rapids in the NCAA quarterfinals. Although they would never say as much, these have to be the last two teams the Wolverines wanted to see in their quarterfinal contest. The Gophers owe Michigan for last year's quarter- final game, which the Wolverines won largely due to Mike Legg's ESPY-winning goal. And the Spartans are the one team that has consis- tently played Michigan close this year. In the five years since the first round of the NCAA tournament became single-elimination, Michigan's first game has always been decided by one goal - so remember to take your heart medication. The Wolverines got a strong playoff victory under their belts Saturday, and will need a similar team- wide defensive effort Sunday to get them back to the final four. Award finalists, in F Jason Blake D Mike Crowley F Chris Drury F Mike Harder F John Madden F Brendan Morris F Randy Robitaille F Martin St. Louis F Brian Swanson F Todd White alphabetical order: North Dakota Minnesota Boston Univ, Colgate Michigan on Michigan Miami (Ohio) Vermont Colorado Col. Clarkson MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily Agan's Mike Legg looks for the puck against Bowling Green in Friday's semifinal. Joe Louis: Michigan's home away from home By Mark Snyder Daily Sports Writer DETROIT - Although his traditional post-game cup of coffee was replaced by a fruit drink after igan's championship-game victory, the joe was er-present for Michigan coach Red Berenson and his team this season. The nine games Michigan played at Joe Louis Arena were more than any previous season, and the results clearly showed the Wolverines' affinity for the building. In the neutral-site . games, Michigan compiled a record of 8-1, with the sole defeat coming on Feb. 8, at the hands of Saturday's victim - Michigan State. Michigan, vic- twin all three of the tournaments held at the downtown arena, emerged with a clean sweep of all possible hardware. Beginning with two victories at the College Hockey Showcase in November, Michigan continued its tourna- ment dominance a month later, recording a ninth- straight Great Lakes Invitational title. This weekend's sweep laid claim to Michigan's sec- ond consecutive CCHA playoff championship. WELL-DECORATED: As awards go, Michigan goal- tender Marty Turco has won his share. e junior netminder was honored Thursday as the goaltender on the CCHA first team, and this weekend he lived up to the title, allowing only three goals in two games. But he was only the second-best goaltender on the ice as Michigan State goaltender Chad Alban was selected to the CCHA all-tournament team ahead of Turco. The lack of recognition hardly fazed the Michigan stalwart. "That doesn't bother me one bit," Turco said. "When you win the (championship) trophy, you can go into the lockerroom hooping and hollering. Getting the victory is most important. "They can get all their individual awards (because) I'll take the team award any day." Morrison and linemate Jason Botterill didn't need to worry about being slighted for their performances. Both forwards were named to the all-tournament team, with Morrison taking home the Most Valuable Player award for his two-goal, three-assist weekend. "It's nice to be recognized," he said. "But I thought our whole team played well this weekend." While deferring to his teammates is Morrison's nature, very few of them were represented among the selections. A quick glance at the all-tournament team may lead the casual observer to question which team won the title. For their efforts, the Spartans were recognized with four players on the team. Joining Alban were Michigan State defensemen Mike Weaver and Chris Bogas, as well as forward Mike Watt. AN INNOCENT MAN: While the CCHA does not give out an award for sportsmanship like the NH L's Lady Byng trophy, maybe it should. Michigan center Mike Legg is deserving of such an honor for his clean play. Entering this weekend's games, Legg had committed only six penalties all season long - and none since Jan. 30. So it came as a great surprise when he was sent to the penalty box for holding Michigan State forward Mike York at 13:17 of the third period Saturday. Fear not sportsmanship fans, for Legg maintains his innocence. "I didn't even touch him," Legg said. "I was skating beside him and I know York. I knew he was going to go down and draw a penalty. I put my hands in the air and waited for him to fall - and I still got the penalty." LOOKING AHEAD: With another title in Michigan's past, a larger prize now awaits the CCHA champs. The NCAA tournament begins for Michigan next weekend in Grand Rapids with the NCAA quarterfi- nals. As the top seed in the west regional, Michigan will receive a first-round bye. Sunday's game, at 5:30 p.m., will pit the Wolverines against the winner of the Michigan State-Minnesota contest, which will start at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. SEEDING Continued from Page 18 The Spartans are one of only two teams to beat the Wolverines this season - and they did it twice in four games. "The only surprise in it is that we're the only team of the bye teams that could play a team in our own league," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. It is possible for Michigan, should it advance, to play the same teams it did en route to capturing the championship - Minnesota and Boston University. Last year, Michigan and Minnesota met in the regionals, with the Wolverines eking out a 4-3 victory, thanks in part to Mike Legg's famous lacrosse-style goal. "Those two teams sure look familiar on our side of the bracket;" Morrison said. "Hopefully, we'll have the same outcome, too." The No. 4 seeding of Minnesota was the biggest surprise in the announce- ment of the 12-team draw. The Gophers finished the season in a first-place tie with North Dakota in the WCHA, but lost to the Fighting Sioux in the confer- ence tournament championship. "Personally, I thought (Minnesota) would get the three seed in the West," Morrison said. The WCHA sent the most teams to the tournament with four, followed by three each from the CCHA and ECAC, and two from Hockey East. Clarkson received the top seed in the East and the other first-round byes went CHAMPIONS Continued from Page 1B the first period. It only took senior Warren Luhning 2:20 to start the scoring. Jason Botterill controlled the puck behind the Michigan State net, and his pass to Morrison was in turn deflected to Luhning, who man- aged to wrist it past Michigan State goaltender Chad Alban before being knocked over. Exactly one minute later, Bill Muckalt's pass led Morrison into the Spartans' zone ahtad of the defense. Alban lunged out of the crease and actu- ally beat Morrison to the puck - but chipped it off Morrison's skate and back into his own net. Suddenly it was 2-0, and all indica- tions pointed to a repeat of Friday's lop- sided performance. But the Spartans set- tied down and buckled down, and it was a defensive battle for the rest of the game. "Those two goals scored in the first three minutes literally had to stand up for the whole game;' Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "It was the kind of game we expected, a defensive struggle? The Spartans halved Michigan's lead 1:15 into the second period, when Michigan State sophomore Mike York's pass cut from zone to zone, springing Shawn Horcoff in all alone on Michigan goalie Marty Turco. Horcoff backhand- ed it past Turco into the upper corner, making the score 2-1. Michigan. State's best chance to tie came about eight minutes into the third period, when Tony Tuzzolino streaked in on Turco alone. But Michigan defense- man Sean Peach raced back and dove from the side, knocking away the puck with a swipe of his stick and effectively swatting the Spartans' chances aside at the same time. Michigan State never really threat- ened again - the Spartans managed just two shots on goal the entire third period - and Dale Rominski wrapped the night up for Michigan with an empty-netter 18.1 seconds before the final horn sounded, On Friday night, the Wolverines oust- ed Bowling Green from the tournament, 7-2. The Falcons' season ended with the loss. After a scoreless first period, Justin Clark got the Wolverines on the board with his third goal of the season. Greg Crozier's shot was wide right, and the rebound bounced straight back out to the side of the net where a charging Clark snuck it past Bowling Green goal- tender Bob Petrie. Cornell beats Clarkson in surprise ECAC playoff From Staff Reports began its second power play of the game. Dailey took game into the extra session.