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 . .° , ; , ' giI - - ' -v CATCH THE GAMES OF ALL SPORTS! GIANT BIG SCREENS & 30 MONITORS ~ Over 25 Beers on Draft ~ including: BeI/s, Newcastle, Guinness & Youngs POOL TABLES & DARTS . + flAM(CINA T -3DR - AT iDAVID ROCHKINO 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. At: Kohl Center.S:12,680. 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