68 - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - November 30, 1998
1CCHA Standings
Team Won Lost Tied Pts. GP
Ferris State 8 3 1 17 12
7 1 i 15
Notre Dame 7 3 1 15 11
Michigan State 6 2 2 14 10
Ohio State 6 4 2 12 12
Northern Michigan 6 6 0 12 12
Bowling Green 5 5 1 11 11
Miami (Ohio) 2 9 3 7 14
Western Michigan 1 6 5 7 12
Alaska-Fairbanks 3 7- 0 6 10
Lake Superior 1 6 2 4 9
Goaltending play helps keep Michigan
and Wisconsin knotted up in Madison
US College Hockey
Online Poll
Records as of Nov. 23, 1998
Team Record Pts
1. North Dakota (22) 6-1-1 292
2. Colorado Coll. (7) 8-2-0 261
3. Boston College 6-2-1 213
4. Michigan (1) 8-2-1 181
5. Notre Dame 9-2-2 162
6. Maine 7-1-1 152
7. New Hampshire 7-1-1 142
8. Michigan State 7-2-2 132
9. Denver 7-3-0 32
10. St. Lawerence 6.2-0 28
First place votes in parentheses
The USCHO poll consists of 30 vot-
ers, including 22 coaches from the
Division I conferences and eight
beat writers from across the coun-
try. Polls are published weekly.
THREE STARS
The Michigan Daily hockey writ-
ers' picks for the three stars of
the weekend:
3. Mike Comrie: The freshman
forward untracked himself from
a mini-slump Friday with a goal
against Minnesota.
2. Bubba Berenzweig: Well-
known for his strong leadership
skills, the senior defenseman
and captain tallied a goal in
each contest at the College
Hockey Showcase.
1. Josh Blackburn: Michigan's
freshman phenom in goal posted
his second straight solid week-
end, surrendering just three
goals total in two games, as
well as making several key
saves at Wisconsin to help
Michigan preserve a 1-1 tie.
By T.J. Beka"
Daily Sports Writer
MADISON - It is the most ana-
lyzed and criticized position on a
hockey team.
When things are going well, these
guys receive the most praise. But when
things are going bad, theyget insulted
with chants of "sieve".
Goaltenders are the first things visi-
ble to the untrained hockey observer.
These observers tend to overempha-
size the goalie's role and underempha-
size the defensemen's roles.
Yesterday, the observers were right.
Michigan's Josh Blackburn and
Wisconsin's Graham Melanson were
on the top of their games, allowing
only one goal each in a I-I tie.
Melanson had more opportunities
than Blackburn to shine in the spot-
light, as the Wolverines peppered him
with 31 shots. Other than a Bubba
Berenzweig goal, Melanson was per-
fect.
Melanson "is playing in a zone right
now," Wisconsin coach Jeff Sauer said.
"If he sees the puck, he's going to
make the save."
Melanson had 20/20 vision five
minutes into the third period, when Jay
Vancik and Scott Matzka broke out on
a two-on-one. Vancik shot down the
left side and fed Matzka. Matzka field-
ed the puck perfectly and put the puck
into the net. Or so the crowd thought.
Melanson robbed Matzka, reaching
out with his glove and snatching the
puck from the air.
"That was the game-saving save,"
Sauer said.
While Blackburn wasn't as busy as
Melanson, he was just as effective for
the Wolverines. Only Dave Tanabe
bested Blackburn, who turned away 21
Wisconsin shots.
"I did all right" Blackburn said. "I
think I played a prenty good game. It
was run-and-gun hockey and I had to
stay on my toes."
Blackburn had to defend against his
share of Wisconsin opportunities, but
he didn't have as many artistic saves as
Melanson. Blackburn's reaction to his
counterpart's acrobatics was key in
Michigan extending its undefeated
streak to six games.
"You feel pressure to make saves
when the other goalie is playing well,"
Blackburn said. "Many goals come
after big saves because a big save
pumps up a crowd and gives his team
momentum."
Although Blackburn held his own
this weekend, he did have trouble play-
ing the puck behind his net. Mistakes
in puckhandling resulted in a goal in
Friday's victory over Minnesota and
almost led to a goal in the first period
yesterday. Yesterday's error led to an
on-ice speech from captain Bubba
Berenzweig.
"He keeps trying to clear the puck
with one hand for some reason,"
Berenzweig said. "He slaps at the puck
sometimes and he doesn't need to do
that. Bad things happen when you slap
at a puck."
Besides an occasional puck-slap-
ping, Blackburn has played well
between the pipes. The fans love him
- until next weekend, at least.
3
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Bubba Berenzweig and the Michigan defense did a solid job in front of goaltend
Josh Blackburn this weekend, helping the Wolverines notch three points at the
College Hockey Showcase. Blackburn allowed just three goals on the weekend
against Minnesota and Wisconsin.
SHOWCASE
Continued from Page 1.6
Crozierand Gruden escaped with two
minutes each, while Rominski and
Rothering both received four for rough-
ing.
As those penalties were being served,
Michigan's Bobby Hayes had his helmet
torn off in a skirmish and was prompted
to retaliate. His attempt to carve a flee-
ing Badger landed Hayes a five-minute
major, but Wisconsin was unable to con-
vert.
Throughout the game the Michigan
power play was also given ample oppor-
tunity to convert, but, despite many scor-
ing chances, the Wolverines could fin-
ish. Berenzweig expressed frustration
with what is becoming a recurring prob-
lem on the Michigan power play.
"We couldn't bury the puck, just like
usual," Berenzweig said after the game.
But despite the impressive play from
both goalies, the game could have ended
in a 2-1 Michigan victory ifreferee Mike
Schmitt had not waived off a first period
goal because of a questionable high
stick. The coaches, who both saw the
play, were split on the validity of the call.
"I knew it was a goodgoal,"Michigan
coach Red Berenson briefly stated. But
Berenson seemed more concerned about
the team's power play woes than the offi-
ciating.
"You walk out of here thinking we
should have put our chances in, but you
have to give their goalie some credit"
Although the tie with Wisconsin may
not have lived up to Michigan's expecta-
tions, the weekend was not a total wash.
On Friday, the first day of the College
Hockey Showcase, the Wolverines trav-
eled to Minneapolis where they feasted
on Minnesota. A 3-2 victory over the
Golden Gophers prompted a little holi-
day cheer on the day after Thanksgiving.
Freshman Mike Comrie toasted his
sixth goal of the season, while
Berenzweig and Crozier also added to
their season totals. The Michigan power
play went one-for-six on the, night, and
Blackburn played all 60 minutes, saving
29 of 31 shots.
Michigan 3, Minnesota 2
Michigan 0 1 2 - 3
Minnesota 1 0 1 -2
First period-1. MINN, Leopold 4 (Pohi, Mills).
14:17. Penalties- LSM, Van vyn (holding), 3:04;
MINS, Kohn (interference), 458; MISS, Andeson
(hgsStickling), a25; SM, Clark (charging), 1210;
SIM, Richlin (siashing). 18:18.
Second peiod- 1. SM, Comrie 6 (Serenzweig),
14:38. Penalties - MISS, Spehar (holding), 1:00;
MISS, vasen(inererence), 518; M, Mazka (high-
sticking), 1542.
Tird period - S. LSM. Beenzweig 4 (unassisted),
0:44(py); 2. SM, Crozier 1 (Hayes. JilIsol), 1404; 3.
MINN, Leopold 5 (Anderson, Smith), 19:16.
Penalties- MI, "NMillsierence), 042;LSM,
Langfeld (ioughing), 1:51; MINN, Wendell (high-
stcking):, 11; MINN, Anderson (hitting aften ohis-
tle), 10:04; L0M, Vae vyn (roughing), 19:48; MISS,
Anderson (roughing), 19:48.
Shot on goal - SM 10-10-5 --25; MINN 1212-7
-31.
PowerPlays-UM 1 1of 6MINN, 021 4.
Sanes - SIM, Blackburn 11-128- 28; MISS,
Hauser1093 -22.
eferee - Son Adam.
Uneene-JontEioy.SGregg wohiers.
At: Mariucci Arena. A:9,822.
Michigan 1, Wisconsin 1
Mich(gas 0 10 -'i
Wisconsin 0 1 0 - 1
First pedod - No scoring.Penalles - Wisc, ega
(hooking), 7:34.
Second piod-1. Mich, Berenzweig 5 (Kosick
Langleld), 1:38;:1, Wisc, Tanabe 3 (Hergert, Kuk),
14:22. Penalies- Wisc, Brookis (holdingi, 256
Mich, senenaweigihooking), 9:37;Wisc, Bnook,
(cross cheocking), 11:25; Mich, Crozien (roughing7
15:10; Mich, Sominski (roughing), 15:10; Mich,
Rominski (roughing), 15:10; Wisc, Gruden (rough-
ing), 15:10; Wis Rothering (oughing), 1510;
Wisc, vothering (roaghing), 15410; Mich, Hayes
(slashing), 16:39; Wisc, Brooks (holding), 19:04.
Third pod - No Scorng. Penalties-- Mich,
Hunticlker (boanding), 4:10.
Overtimne - So scooing.
Shots ogoal - Mich 5-12-9-5 - 31; Wisc, 510
5-2-22.
Power Pias- Mich, 0 of ; Wis, 0 of 3.
Saves - Mich, Blackbhun5-85.2 -21; Wi-so,
Melanson 5-11-8--30.
Reee -Mike Schmit.
Unesmen - Jay Kleven, Brad Roethlisberger.
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INTRAMURALS
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When your favorite downtown
parking structure is demolished
or closed for repairs, you can't
park there. And you can't just
move to a different parking
spot down the street. Most of
the other lots and structures
are full. So select the simpler,
easier, cheaper alternative:
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Park free all day at one of our
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Maple Village Shopping Center
Pioneer High School
State Street Commuter Lot
Plymouth/Green Road Lot
TheRide
For more information: 996-0400 or
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ymouth/Green
c d Lot
Maple Village
Shopping Center
apt . University of Michigan
Pioneer gh SchoolM.
State Street
' Commuter Lot
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Please Contact:
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For Additional Information Contact: Intramural Sports Program, IMSB, 606 E. Hoover, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3717, (734) 763-3562
httpI//www.recsyorts.umich.edu
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