8A The Michigan Daily - Monday, April 6, 1998 HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 'Time to believe' in Michigan hockey- Yost rally celebrates victorious season By Melissa AndrzoJa k Daily Staff Reporter Last night, the scoreboard at Yost Ice Arena was stuck reading 2:09 left in overtime and the score of Home, 3 and Visitors 2, commemorating the hockey team's come-from-behind victory against Boston College on Saturday that clinched the NCAA National Championship. "Somebody pinch me." The words, spoken by senior assis- tant captain Billy Muckalt, summed up the feelings of players, coaches and fans alike at last night's pep rally. Enthusiasm for the team came across loud and clear as fans gathered around the ice to chant "The Victors!" for the last time this season. The boys in blue strapped on their yskates and glided to their seats at cen- ter ice. "This has been a team effort and that is why we are sitting here today," said Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson. "It makes me feel like I've got the best job in the country." Senior leaders shared their feelings about their last season lacing up the skates for the Wolverines. "There is no recipe for success,"~ said senior goaltender Marty Turco. "There is not just one reason, there are many and every one of them is sitting up here today." Referring to the team's slogan, Turco said it's "time to believe." In addition to the nearly 1,750 fans who gathered last night at Yost to wel- come home the 1998 NCAA Hockey Champions, players and coaches were honored with words from University jPresident Lee Bollinger and Athletic Director Tom Goss. "It is a moment worthy of a great university," Bollinger said. He spoke highly of the team and what they have accomplished for the University. "Any time you have athletes who perform that well, it inspires every- one across the University for years to come, it becomes a part of the lore and the tradition," Bollinger said. Senior captain Matt Herr agreed, saying anytime a championship is won "it does something for the morale of the campus."~ LSA senior Paul Schultz, who works at Yost, said the championship was unexpected because nine key Michigan hockey players graduated last year. CHAMPS Continued from Page IA Turco, named the most outstanding player of the NCAA Tournament, kept the Wolverines in the contest giving their offense time to get on track. Falling behind 1-0 after the open- ing period, Michigan finally broke through in the second when center Kosick evened the score for the Wolverines. Kosick banged away at a Bubba Berenzweig rebound and, deflected the puck off Clemmensen's' mask - after the netminder went down to block Berenzweig's initial shot. After Michigan's goal, it was Turco who took over for the Wolverines, as the goaltender virtual- ly stood on his head to keep the score. tied at one. On two particular occa- sions, Turco erased mistakes by his blueliners on what should have been go-ahead goals for the Eagles. But even Turco could not thwart Boston College's final scoring chance of the second period. Holding the man advantage after a hitting-from-behind penalty on Herr, Boston College's Bobby Allen faked a shot, freezing Michigan's defense before sending the puck on net. Teammate Jeff Farkas then intercepted Allen's shot and flipped the puck toward forward Mike Lephart, who put it past Turco for a 2-1 lead. It wasn't until late in the third that Michigan would even things up again, with Kosick stepping up again for the Wolverines with a rebound shot. This time, Fox sent a puck goal- bound, which was redirected by Muckalt. Stopped by Clemmensen, the puck came out to Kosick, who again took advantage of being in the right place at the right time, knotting the game at two. "Mark Kosick showed a lot of resilience for a young kid," Pearson said. "Coming in and playing at this level - I give that kid full marks." Early on, Boston College was quick to take advantage of the decided home-ice edge, scoring roughly five minutes into the first period. Boston College set the tempo from the onset, utilizing its speed to get up the ice and pass Michigan's defense. One such effort materialized into a goal for the Eagles, when Boston College forward Kevin Caulfield flew up the right side of the ice along the boards. Caulfield received a pass fromi teammate Mike Mottau and fired a slapshot from the right faceoff dot past the right leg of Turco. The score elec- trified the crowd and put the Eagles up early, 1-0. 'M' fans throw 2nd national championship victory party a SARA STILLMAN/ Daily Freshman Josh Langfeld (above) and senior Bill Muckalt (left) celebrate the Wolverine's victory yesterday at a pep rally held for the hockey team at Yost Arena. "It is a moment worthy of a great University." -Lee Bollinger University president "This was supposed to be a rebuilding year. I think (the champi- onship) shows how great a program this really is," Schultz said. Coaches and players stressed that the championship was recognition of a great hockey team, but more impor- tantly, a great university. "This championship was a positive tribute to not just the hockey team, but to the school," Berenson said. "These players came here to graduate from the University of Michigan and playing hockey was secondary. The reputation of Michigan definitely plays a role in the type of students we attract." Herr also said that as a student ath- lete, it was an honor to be recognized by both the University's athletic head, Tom Goss, and the academic head, Bollinger. Community members also shared their excitement for the University. "It is another championship for the University," said Ann Arbor resident and fan Chuck Mancherian. "It shows that not only academically, but athlet- ically, the University of Michigan is a powerhouse." CELEBRATION Continued from Page 1A every time he stood up. University of Michigan and Boston College students and alumni crowded Boston bars to watch the game, with rivalries sparking some conflict between patrons, said Boston's Sullivan's Tap bouncer Bob McCauley. "There was wildness on both sides," McCauley said, adding that opposing fans broke into fights and threw bottles to the floor. "It doesn't do our business any good and it is an embarrassment for both schools." One Michigan fan who watched the game from a pub in downtown Boston said he faced the wrath of angry Boston College supporters. University alumnus Rasim Oz said that although he was careful not to wear any Michigan apparel inside the bar to avoid being harassed by Boston College fans, he could not contain his excitement when Michigan won the game. As he jumped into the air in celebration, Oz said an Eagles fan intentionally burned his hand with her cigarette. "East Coast people - do not mess with their sports teams," Oz said. "I got the hell out of there." During the sudden death covertime period, fans at Touchdown Cafe in Ann Arbor chanted "Tur-co!," honoring Michigan's goaltender Marty Turco, while shouting at the referees. One man pounded a spoon against an empty beer bottle in the rhythmic pattern of the University's trademark "Go Blue" cheer. Turco's parents, Gino and Alma, said that watching their son and his team- mates capture the title was "awesome." "It was the best thing I ever saw in my life," Gino Turco said. While ESPN sports commentators gave the edge to Boston during the majority of the game, few fans in Ann Arbor doubted that the Wolverines would be the victors. "No one else in the country can say they have two championships in one year," said Ryan Stayton, an Engineering sophomore, as he stood on South University, stretched out his arms and yelled into the street, "This is the greatest university in the world!" Athletic Director Tom Goss said the team's perseverance allowed the SARA STILLMAN/Daily Engineering senior Nick Offredi celebrates Michigan hockey's national championship Saturday by waving a Michigan flag on the steps of the Union. Don't Panic!! if you think you're pregnant... call us-we listen, we care. PROBLEM PREGNANCY HELP 975-4357 Any time, any day, 24 hours. Fully confidential. Serving Students since 1970. RT Plus Tax F mite n each weeklyflis R-* "ros apf- Add Eurail, GermanRail, Guaranteed Lowest Car Rental Rates, Hotel, Youth Hostel - NT N A ON " ' Wolverine's to clinch the champi- onship. "History probably was made tonight," Goss said. Engineering junior Mark Dub said he never doubted the Wolverines would win the championship. Dub, who is working for NASA in Texas this semester, bought a plane ticket to Ann Arbor three weeks ago so he could toast the victory on cam- pus. "That's how good this team is - I had so much confidence," Dub said. "I gave up 85 degrees and sun just to stand on Bollinger's lawn." As fans on campus streamed out of their homes, friends hoisted each other onto their shoulders and hugged police officers who attempted to keep the crowd under control. "Too bad Lee's in Boston - I'm sure he'd love it here," Engineering senior Steve Stewart said. "It's been one hell of a senior year. Thank God we had Turco." It was a sweet victory for the Wolverines who, after graduating a tal- ented class of seniors, were not expect- ed to advance to NCAA final four. "This is our senior year," shoute one man in the Touchdown crow "We've lived through this before. This is a hell of a way to leave the University!" After experiencing the Michigan football team's national champi- onship earlier this year, fans said Saturday's hockey victory was the icing on the cake. "The win was awesome," said Engineering sophomore Kevin Cho who dressed for the occasion in a yel- low wig. Choo said he and his friend wore the wigs at the Rose Bowl as well. "They need to re-vote that (football) coaches poll. "We have more championships (than the University of Nebraska). We're the overall winners," he said. The Search for Arab-Israeli Peace: There's No Turning Back Lecture by Dr. Aaron Miller Deputy Middle East Coordinator for Arab-Israeli Negotiations, U.S. Department of State /a 1 I TOWN HALL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT LEE BOLLINGER AND PROVOST NANCY CANTOR EMWI n t i" t t t___ _ _!^_tL"__ of mu - All Studetnts Welcome to Attend I I