4B - The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - January 26, 1998
HOCKEY
Quotable:
"I'm kind of like a fireman. You
never know when the fire's going
to start, but you always have to
be ready to put it out:"
- Goaltender Greg Malicke
The Three Stars
The Michigan Daily hockey writ-
ers picks for Michigan's three
stars of the garmer
'third Star: Greg Crozier
After sitting out Friday's game,
the junior forward scored
Michigan's third goal in
Saturday's 4-3 loss after
Michigan netminder Marty Turco
left the ice for the extra attacker.
Second Star: Josh Langfeld
The freshman right wing scored
his 14th goal of the year on the
power play midway through the
third period of Saturday's game to
pull the Wolverines to within two
goals.
First Star: Bobby Hayes
The junior center has been on a
tear lately, scoring at least a
point in his last eight games.
Hayes continued the streak scor-
ing his 15th and 16th goals and
adding an assist.
Miami (Ohio) 3
3 Michigan I
Miami (Ohio) 4
Michigan 3
Key play:
UP With Michigan trailing 2-1, six
minutes into the third period, the
RedHawks put the game out of
reach scoring two goals in 16
seconds.
°
Two losses something to
worry about? Think of'96
By COws Farah
Daily Sports Writer
OXFORD - So, it's finally begun. Michigan is
done playing the creampuffs of the CCHA - teams
like Western Michigan, Alaska-Fairbanks and
Bowling Green. The Wolverines are done padding
their No. 1 ranking in the CCHA with victories
against sub-par teams.
Now that the Wolverines are playing teams like
Miami (Ohio), the real Michigan is going to stand
up. The Michigan all the fans were afraid they'd see.
The Michigan that can't
come up with the big win in
the big games when it real-
ly counts.
The Michigan that loses
two games in a row to a
team like Miami.Y
Wait a minute. Maybe
not.
Flash back to that magi-
cal season, just two years
ago, when the Wolverines
managed to win the NCAA crown after defeating
Colorado College, 3-2, in overtime in the title game.
Flash back to that same year of wonders, when
Michigan went an amazing 34-7-2 and won a
CCHA tournament title.
Yes, flash back to the 1995-96 season, when the
Wolverines lost two straight games to Lake
Superior State at the tail end of the season, in the
midst of a tight regular-season race in the CCHA.
Hold on. Lost two straight games? To Lake
Superior? In 1996 - the year of the NCAA cham-
pionship?
That's right. With the regular-season CCHA title
on the line, the Michigan team of '95-96 traveled to
Sault Ste. Marie and promptly lost. Twice.
In fact, Michigan goaltender Marty Turco was
pulled from the second game - a 3-7 whooping at
the hands of the Lakers - much like he was pulled
from Michigan's game on Friday against Miami, a
Miami (Ohio) 3, Michigan 12
Michigan 0 0 1 - 1
Miami (Ohio) 2 1 0-- 3
First period -1. MU, Boyle 1 (Brindley, T. Leahy),
8:49. 2. MU, Krajnc 1 (Tropper. Mizerek) 18:07.
Penalties - UM, Peach (interference), 2:11; MU,
Brindley (hooking), 15:20.
Second period - 3. MU, Andreev 1 (Tropper),
13:12. Penalties - MU, Bautch (tripping), 3:17;
MU,, Copeland (slashing), 9:50; MU, Bautch (hitting
after the whistle), 14:38; UM, Muckalt (hitting after
the whistle), 14:38.
Third period - 1. UM, Hayes 1 (Ritchlin, Muckalt),
0:47. Penalties - MU, Copeland (tripping), 1:05;
UM, Ritchling (elbowing), 13:18; MU, T. Leahy (10-
minute misconduct), 19:06; UM, Rominski (10-
minute misconduct), 19:06: UM, VanRyn (hooking)
19:32; UM, VanRyn (10-minute misconduct) 19:32,
UM, Herr (roughing), 19:38.
Shots on goal - UM 6-12-16 - 34; MU 7-7-3 -
17.
Power Plays - UM, 0of 4; MU 0of 4.
Saves - UM, Turco 5-6-x - 11; UM, Malicke x-x-3
- 3; MU, Prior 16-12-15 - 33.
Referee - Steve Piotroski.
Unesmen - Butch Friedman, Mike Poliski.
At: Goggin Ice Arena. A: 2,850.
Miami (Ohio) 4, Michigan 3
Michigan 1 0 2 -3
Miami (Ohio) 1 1 2 -4
First period - 1. UM, Hayes 1 (Turco), 10:07 (pp).
1. MU, Copeland 1 (T. Leahy, Whitecotton) 15:13
(pp). Penalties - MU, Boyle (high-sticking), 2:56;
UM, Crozier (slashing). 2:56; MU Bautch (unsports-
manlike conduct), 7:46; UM, Hayes (unsportsman-
like conduct), 7:46; MU, Brindley (holding), 8:12;
UM, Kosick (tripping), 10:26; MU, Chateau (hold-
ing), 12:50; UM, Rominski (holding), 12:50; UM,
VanRyn (holding), 14:21; MU, T. Leahy (slashing),
15:47: MU, Brindley (boarding), 16:11.
Second period - 2. MU, Deskins 1 (unassisted),
6:26. Penalties - UM, Langfeld (high-sticking),
1:33; UM, Muckalt (roughing), 9:10; UM, Rominski
(high-sticking), 13:55; MU, T. Leahy (holding),
16:00; MU, Deskins (roughing), 20:00; MU, Brindley
(roughing, double minor), 20:00; UM, Muckalt
(rcghing, high-sticking), 20:00; UM, Hayes (rough-
ing), 20:00.
Third period - 3. MU, Tropper 1 (copeland, Krajnc),
6:37 (pp). 4. MU, Copeland 2 (T. Leahy) 6:53. 2.
UM, Langfeld (Herr, Hayes) 13:48 (pp). 3. UM,
Crozier (Herr, Kosick) 19:01. Penalties - UM,
Rominski (interference), 6:15; MU, Walford (hold-
ing), 7:21; MU, Mizerek (roughing) 9:19; MU,
Chateau (roughing) 9:19; UM, Rominski (roughing)
9:19; UM, Crozier (roughing), 9:19; MU Tropper
(slashing), 13:00.
Shots on goal - UM 14-12-11 - 37; MU 12-7-7 -
26.
Power Plays - UM, 2 of 6; MU 2 of 6.
Saves - UM, Turco 11-6-5 - 22; MU, Prior 13-12-9
-34.
Referee - John Kelly.
"nlnesmen - Steve Mclnchak, Butch Friedman.
At: Goggin Ice Arena. A: 2,850.
Upcoming
Schedule
mere 1-3 loss to the RedHawks.
Michigan ended up finishing the regular season
tied for first place in the CCHA with Lake Superior,
after beating the Lakers, 4-3, at home in the last
game of the regular season.
And, like everybody knows, that same team went
on to win both the CCH A tournament title and th
NCAA title. Not bad for a bunch of guys who to
two in a row when it really counted, huh?
Granted, there are a lot more question marks sur-
rounding this group of Wolverines than there were
surrounding the '95-96 Wolverines. Michigan had
an offense that could be counted on to put up big
numbers. The Wolverines' defense was tested.
This year, Michigan coach Red Berenson will be
the first to admit that the Wolverines won't win
most of their games with their offense. And
Michigan's defense has played well so far, but t
fact remains that they lack much experience.
No, this year's team will have to rely a lot less on
pure talent, and a lot more on effort - on grinding
out victories and playing harder than its opponents.
It'll also have to rely a lot more on Turco.
Turco now owns sole possession of the NCAA
record for career wins, so let's put that aside for
now.
The toughness and resolve, on the other hand,
may be another matter. The Wolverines came out
sluggish Friday night against a Miami team they
knew would be their toughest challenge in a whil
Michigan let the RedHawks get out to a 3-0 lead,
something this Michigan can't afford to do.
The Wolverines started out a lot stronger
Saturday night but still weren't able to finish, allow-
ing Miami to pick up two quick goals in the third
period, effectively putting the game out of reach.
But resilience can be worked on. A more consis-
tent work ethic can be achieved. Whether or not it
will be remains to be seen.
After all, how many teams can come back fro
two tough losses to win a championship? 1
Oh yeah, that's right. Michigan did it just two
'M' off ice
JOHN KRAFT/Daily
Despite outshooting the RedHawks 70-40, Chris Fox and the Wolverines were swept in a weekend
series for the first time since losing two games to Lake Superior in 1996.
Malicke may be backup, but still leads'
By Chris Farah
Daily Sports Writer
OXFORD - For most people, the third peri-
od of Friday's game between Michigan and
Miami (Ohio) was nothing very memorable.
Sure, the Wolverines lost for the first time in a
while. Sure, the CCHA race is tighter now than
it was before.
But mostly, it was just a third period of anoth-
er hockey game. There were many periods, many
games before that one, and there will be many
more to come. In the grand scheme of things, it
probably won't mean much.
But for Michigan backup goaltender Gregg
Malicke, the third period of Friday's game repre-
sented nothing less than hockey reality.
Michigan starter Mary Turco isn't having a good
night? Send in Malicke. Michigan is blowing out
its opponent? Send in Malicke.
So, when the third period came around, and
the Wolverines were down to Miami, 3-0, and
Turco hadn't been performing as well as he usu-
ally does ... send in Malicke.
And Malicke, as usual, did what he could.
Michigan outplayed Miami during the third
period, allowing the RedHawks just three shots
on goal. Malicke stopped them. The Wolverines
still lost, 3-1, but Malicke did what he could -
as much as he can ever do in such circum-
stances.
"I'm kind of like a fireman," he said. "You
never know when the fire's going to start, but
you always have to be ready to put it out. I'm not
happy with my role - of course I want to play
as many games a possible.
"But if that's what I'm called upon to do, you
have to do whatever helps contribute to the
team," Malicke said.
When we're young, the potential that life
holds seems limitless. We are told, over and over
again, "Set your mind to it, and it can be accom-
plished."
Maybe that's what Malicke was thinking to
himself when he transferred to Michigan from
Clarkson after playing hockey for the Golden
Knights during the 1993-94 season. Malicke
hadn't put up the greatest numbers as Clarkson's
goaltender. Seeing action in seven games, he had
a 5.44 goals against average and a .757 save per-
centage.
But Malicke's stats weren't indicative of his
skill. The year before Clarkson, Malicke played
for the U.S. Midget National Champions, the
Detroit Little Caesars. He wasn't named
Michigan Midget Hockey Player of the Year by
accident, and he wasn't selected Team Most
Valuable Player by luck.
And maybe after a disappointing year at
Clarkson, Malicke still heard something like,
"Set your mind to it, and it can be accom-
plished."
Michigan did present a much different realm
of opportunity for Malicke, and his numbers
show marked improvement during his two years
as a Wolverine. After redshirting the 1994-95
season, Malicke maintained a goals against aver-
age of 1.89 and a .909 save percentage during his
sophomore and junior seasons of eligibility.
There's just one problem. The stats reflect only
about 530 minutes of playing time. So goes the
life of a backup.
"It's really difficult," Malicke said. "You real-
ly have to stay positive with yourself and not
question what you're doing wrong. Once you
start doing that, you're going to go in the tank."
No matter how many times someone says, "It
can be accomplished," sooner or later, reality sets
in. And Malicke's hockey reality isn't filled with
limitless potential; rather, it's capsulized by
games like Friday's. Malicke in, Malicke out.
Life goes on.
But for Malicke, life doesn't just come down
to hockey. He's won the Michigan Athletic
Achievement Award the past three years. He's an
avid pilot and wants to fly in the military. Maybe
his hockey reality will never be ideal, but
Malicke's potential remains unbounded in other
areas.
And the attitude that Malicke brings, both to
hockey and his other pursuits, may ultimately
prove just as valuable to Michigan - particular-
ly after losing two in a row to Miami - than
anything he could do on the ice.
"My role basically is to lighten up the team,
whichever way I can,"he said. "I give guys pats
on the back at the bench, or when they're down,
I help them out.
(I'm) just supposed to be an all-around team
player."
ate'
A
Jan. 30
Jan. 31
Feb. 7
Feb. 13
Notre Dame
Notre Dame
Lake Superior*
Miami (Ohio)
JOHN KRAFT/Daily
Michigan's Mark Kosick relied on Gregg Malicke to fill the
net for Marty Turco in the third period of Friday's game.
*at Joe Louis Arena
Home games in BOLD
CCHA players =M
of the week ,,.
Offense: Eric Meloche (RW), Ohio
State
The sophomore right wing had
four points (three goals, and one
assist) as the Buckeyes defeated
SNotreDame 5-3 and Northern
Michigan 2-0. Meloche scored
the game winning goal in both
games.
Defense: Trevor Prior (G), Miami
(Ohio)
The 5-foot-9, 190 pound goal-
tender made 67 saves as the
RedHawks defeated the first-
place Wolverines 3-1 and 4-3.
Prior allowed only one five-on-five
goal and had a .944 save per-
centage for the weekend.
REDHAWKS
Continued from Page 1B
The Wolverines outshot Miami during
the weekend, 70-40. On Saturday, Prior
looked human in the final period after
allowing two goals. But Friday he
seemed superhuman.
"Their goalie stood on his head,"
Berenson said. "He was a big factor in
the game. You have to give Prior credit.
He played a great game and I think he
was the difference in the game."
Prior's goaltending held Michigan to a
single goal in a 3-1 victory for the
RedHawks. Prior allowed only a Hayes
goal to slip past the him, turning away 33
shots including 15 in the final period.
"Their goalie played excellent," Herr
said. "They've got two great goalies
who've proven to be great goalies."
The first period turned out to be the
decisive one in the game, as the
RedHawks scored twice on the
Wolverines in the first period.
Miami defenseman Dan Boyle scored
midway through the opening frame after
beating Turco from the left slot. Ten min-
utes later, center Gregor Krajnc blasted a
shot from the left wing into the goal, giv-
ing Miami a firm 2-0 lead.
"We don't like the idea that we lost or
that we gave up early goals," Berenson
said. "And obviously we don't like the
idea that we couldn't score when we had
our chances."
The Wolverines can take solace in the
fact that they out-played Miami in final
period. Trailing by two goals, the
Wolverines were able to score in the first
47 seconds when Bobby Hayes grabbed
a Sean Ritchlin rebound and made the
score 3-1.
"It shows that our team can come back
in the second or third period," Herr said.
"They didn't dominate us, they only had
14 shots."
Unfortunately for the Wolverine
Prior was able to make the Miami lead
stick, saving 15 shots. The Wolverines
also played strong defense in the third
frame, allowing just three shots.
"We're back in the race," Mazzoleni
said. "I think we made a statement."
Before the weekend, the Wolverines
won 13 of their last 14 games - beating
mostly lower division 6pponents. "It's a
good test for our team, not just for ou
young players but for our veteran play
- the ones who have to lead our team"
Berenson said. "It's going to be like this
the rest of the year."
"We're done with the bottom half of
our league. Now we're into the top half.
JOHN KRAFT/Daily
Michigan forward Dale Rominski and the rest of the Wolverines couldn't pull out a victory against Miami (Ohio) this weekend.
The Wolverines remain in first place in the CCHA by one point over Michigan State after the two losses.