4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - December 7, 1998
Puck talk
'I
Fog on the ice in December - that's
something new for me.
- Michigan coach Red Berenson, on the
warm weather and resulting misty ice
conditions of BGSU Ice Arena.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
E MICHIGAN 1,
g MIAMI (OHIO) 0
i MICHIGAN 5,
L BOWLING GREEN 2
Key Play
Friday night, 0:23.8 left in the game.
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The Daily Stars
The Michigan Daily hockey
writers' picks for Michigan's
three stars of the weekend.,
- - JOSH BLACKBURN
#29 GOALTENDER
The freshman showed that he
could be a force for years to
come with a shutout perfor-
mance at Miami. Blackburn also
made 27 saves and gave up only
two goals against Bowling Green.
2 - SEAN RfTcHLIN
#17 FORWARD
The senior had a breakthrough
performance, scoring the game-
winning goal with 23.8 seconds
left against Miami (Ohio), and an
insurance gal against Bowling
Green in th third period.
3 - ScoTT MATZKA
#10 FORWARD
The sophomore forward had two
assists in Saturday's victory over
Bowling Green. Matzka had at
least three quality scoring
chances in the second period and
helped Michigan kill 16 of 17
shorthanded
situations this weekend.
Ritchlin resurfaces for game winner
By David Den Herder
Daily Sports Writer
BOWLING GREEN -This season, Michigan forward
Sean Ritchlin has not exactly been the go-to guy down
the stretch.
But Friday night - as the clock was winding down, as
fans were preparing for overtime, as the press was
scrambling to find the last scoreless tie in Michigan's
history - the Wolverines went to Ritchlin.
After Michigan blueliner Bubba Berenzweig ripped
his patented slapshot from the point, center Mike Comrie
shoveled the rebound out in front. The puck hit a
defenseman in the chest, and dropped to Ritchlin's
skates.
And when the red light flipped on and the clock froze
at :23.8, it was a new season for the senior.
"He's working his butt off," said Berenzweig of his fel-
low senior. "When you're working that hard, stuff is
going to go in for you. He deserves it and I'm proud of
him."
Proving the game-winner against Miami was not a
one-time deal, Ritchlin again took a feed from Comrie in
the third - this time on Saturday against Bowling Green
- for his second goal of the weekend and fourth of the
season.
Although Ritchlin called the second goal "icing on the
cake," it was good enough to officially strike his name
from the slump list.
"I'm glad to see Ritch got off the schnide these last
two games," sophomore Scott Matzka said.
Michigan coach Red Berenson expressed satisfaction
with what could be considered a breakthrough weekend
for his rightwinger.
"This was a great weekend for Sean Ritchlin, and he's
really starting to come into his own now," Berenson said.
Although Ritchlin's name was the one in lights this
weekend, other Wolverines that have been scarce on the
scoring sheets so far this season came up big.
"A lot of guys who don't have the statistics are making
big contributions to this team Berenson said.
Sophomore Geoff Koch tallied two assists against
Bowling Green, while Sean Peach and Bobby Hayes each
had one.
Berenson was also pleased with the play of freshman
Jay Vancik, who had what would have been his first
assist Saturday, until it was taken away by the scorer's
table.
"I really don't care how many points he getse said
Berenson of Vancik. "I'm happy we can play him on a
regular basis.
"This was a tough game for a freshman defenseman to
play in - on the road and against a team like Bowling
Green."
At the conclusion of the weekend pair, Ritchlin - who
may have left the ranks of the less-noticed - said he was
glad to see the numbers being spread amongst many
team members.
"I think that's the mark of a team that's working hard,"
he said. "The pistons are turning and people are feeding
off each other. We all really enjoy playing with each
other and that's exciting.
"You don't have to rely on one guy."
FALCONS
Continued fromt Page 1B
Bowling Greev's Mike Jotes knotted the
score at a goal upiece early in the second.
The two teems then traded goals,
including a Jos4h Langfeld putback of a
Scan Peach slap shot.
"Langfeld was like he was possessed,"
Berenson said. "I thought he was one of
our best players, this weekend."
But the defi xing theme of the second
period was Michigan's inability to put
the puck in the net. While the Wolverines
did get one goaLt they had as many as 10
quality scoring chances.
But the Michigan worries about the
lack of goals dsappearcd in the third,
when they scared three goals, including
the game winrer by Mike Van Ryn.
While the Wbilverines were happy that
the puck started to find the net, they
could have used.some of that offense on
Friday. when they eked out a 1-0 victory
over Miami (Ohio).
Battling agaitnst the RedHawks in
Miami's tiny Goggin Ice Arena, where
the Wolverines lad lost two straight and
12 total in Red Beretson's reign, it
looked as if the Goggin curse would con-
tinue. Both tearts remained scorelessin
the first two periods.
Michigan actually did score with a
minute remaininig in the second period
- according to Josh Langfeld. The
junior took a lofted pass from captain
Bubba Berenzweig and punched it into
Miami goaltendler Ian Olsen's pad.
Langfeld raised eiis arms, but no red light
came on.
"The puck wa in his pad and the pad
was behind the line," Langfeld said.
"There wasrno way for the goal judge to
see ita
The Wolverine didn't start the third
period off on the right foot, taking three
straight penalties.
The Redhwks came close to breaking
the scoreless tie 'when Miami's Alex Kim@
got ahold of a rebound at point blank
range to the left of Blackbumn .
But the fxeshran goaltender, whohad
made the o2gi3al save to the right,
leaped left, blockpd the slapshot and pre-
served the 0-0 tie.
As the game nared the end of regula-
tion, the Wolverines Rndered if they
would have the first 0-0 tie in more
than 68 years.
But Ritchlin moeoed that idea.
After a puck bounced off of MiamiW
forward Jason Deskins' shoulder,
Ritchlin slapped .a 15-footer past Olsen
with 23.8 seconds remaining.
"Bubba took a slapper and it got stuck
in the dci'ense, arvd I just pounced on the
puck and it went in, Ritchlin said. "I'll
take it any way I can get it."
reekend i
Michigan 1, Miami (Ohio) 0
Michigan 0 0 1 - 1
Miami (Ohio) 0 0 0 --0
First period- No scoring. Penalties- Mich, Van
Ryn (tripping), 3:46; Mich, Merrick (hooking).
10247; Miami, Deskins (slashing), 15:46.
ISecond period - No scoring. Penalties - Miami,
Harthieb (high sticking), :55; Mich, Comrie (slash-
ing). 3:03: Miami, Krajnc (hooking), 5:40; Mich,
Crozier (high sticking), 7:48; Miami, Kim (high
sticking), 7:4$; Miami, Leahy (roughing), 8:26;
Mich Koch (interference), 11:36; Miami, Kim
(slashing), 15:58.
Third period - Mich, Ritchlin 3 (Comrie,
Berenzweig), 19:36. Penalties - Mich. Jillson
(cross checking), 6:11; Mich, Jilson (slashing),
6:11; Mich, Hayes (roughing), 10:27; Miami,
Brindley (hooking), 13:55.
Shots on goal - Mich 5.101- -26; Miami 6-4.
- 15.
Power Plays- Mich, 0 of 6; Miami 0 of 7.
Saves - Mich, Blackburn 6-45 - 15; Miami, Olsen
510-10 - 25.
Referee - Brent Rutherford.
linesmen - Sean Newell, Devin Newell.
At: Goggin Ice Arena. A: 2,319
Michigan 5, Bowling Green 2
Michigan 1 1 3 - 5
Bowling Greeno0 2 0 --2
First period -1. Mich, Kosick 4 (Comrie, Langfeld),
17:31 (pp). Penalties - Mich, Langfeld (cross
checking), 1:20; Mich, Koch (elbowing), 4:03; BG,
Price (charging), 4:48; BG, Mass (hooking), 5:20;
Mich, Rominski (tripping), 6:24; BG, Valentine (hold-
ing), 8:17: BG, Adams (roughing). 12:05 Mich,
Comrie (slashing), 15:00; BG, Bonvie (interference),
16:05;BG, Ham (roughing), 19:54; Mich, Comrie
(unsportsmanlike conduct), 19:56; BG, Desjarlais
(roughing after whistle), 19:56.
Second period - 1.BG, Jones 4 (Edinger, Price),
4:02. 2. Mich, Langfeld 7 (Peach. Hayes), 11:19. 2.
BG, Price 7 (Murphy, Edinger), 15:36 (pp).
Penalties - Mich, Langfeld (holding), 6:20; Mich,
Rominski (slashing), 14:43; BG, Desjarlais (hook-
ing), 16:36; Mich, Rominski (roughing after whis-
tle), 18:37; BG, Adams (roughing after whistle),
18:37; Mich, Hayes (unsportsmanlike conduct),
18:37;BGd, Williams (unsportsmanlike conduct),
18:37; Mich, Huntzicker (hooking), 19:49.
Third period - 3. Mich, Van Ryn 5 (Koch, Matzka),
4:35; 4CrMich, Comrie 7 (Kosick), 5:27: 5. Mich,
Ritchlin 4 (Matzka, Koch), 19:08 (pp). Penalties-
Mich, Peach (roughing after whistle), 6:35; BG,
Edinger (charging), 6:35; Mich, Koch (slashing).
7:10:;8(3, Murphy (slashing), 8:40; Mich, Koch
(slashing), 13:50; BG, Desjarlais (holding), 13:50;
8, Desarlais (roughing after whistle), 13:50: BG,
Jones (10-minute misconduct), 14:37; BG, Nowosad
(roughing after whistle), 14:49; Mich, Jillson (cross
checking), 14:49: Mich, Jilson (roughing), served
by Crozier, 14:49; BG, Adams (interference), 18:31;
BG, Valentine (slashing), 19:56; Mich, Merrick
(holding), 19:56: Mich, Merrick (roughing), 19:56.
Shots on goal - Mich 10-15.10 - 35; BG 1012-7
- 29.
Power Plays - Mich 2 of 9; BG3 1 of 10.
Saves - Mich, Blackburn 10-10-7 - 27; BG,
Savard 9-14-7 - 30.
Referee - Roger Graff.
linesmen - Brian Hill, Dave Kronenberg.
At: BGSU Ice Arena. A: 4,870.
How the USCHO
Top 10 fared
Rankings and records as of Nov. 30
No, 1 North Dakota (8-1-1) def. Denver, 6.4
No. 2 Colorado College (10-3-0) lost to
St. Cloud State, 5-3; cl. St. Cloud State, 4-3
No. 3 Maine (9-1-1) idle
No. 4 Michigan (9-2-2) dlef. Miami (OWio,-
1-0; dlef. Bowling Greens, 5-2.
No.5S Boston College (7-3-1) lost to New
Hampshire, 6-1; del. New Hampshire, 6-3
No. 6 Notre Dame (9-3-2) lost to Ohio
State, 4-3 and 4-1
No. 7 New Hampshire (8-2-1) del. Boston
College, 6-1; lost to Boston College, 6.3.
No. 8 Michigan State (8R3-2) tel Nebraska-.
Omaha, 2-0 and 3-1
No. 9 Feus State (9-3-2) tied Western
Michigan, 2-2
No, 10 Denver (7-3-0) lost to North Dakota,
FILE PHOTO
Sean Ritchlin was doing more than dishing out hits this weekend. Ritchlin scored two goals this week-
end, including the game-winner with 23.8 seconds left on Friday night against Miami (Ohio).
Right-place-right-time Ritchli 1
Sean Ritchlin, who stuggled earlier in the season, has scored in Michigan's last three CCHA games. It
appears that Ritchlin has found himself in the right place at the right time on all three occasions. Here's
how the Michigan nghtwinger has broken through an early slump.
Daft
Q-t
Nov. 21 Notre Dame Ritchlin centers a puck towards the net that bounces off a Notre
Dame defenseman, giving Michigan a 1-0 victory.
Friday Miami (Ohio) Scored another game-winning goal when Mike Comrie wristed the puck
into the chest of a Miami player. Ritchlin found the puck at his feet and
slapped it in.
Saturday Bowling Green Centered the puck that deflected off a Falcon defender and into the net
'Hot' describes weather,
Wolvennes wN
By t.J. Borka
Daily Sports Writer
BOWLING GREEN - The Michigan hockey
team was red hot this weekend.
Not because the Wolverines extended their
unbeaten streak to eight games. Not because they
blanked Miami (Ohio) on Friday night and
whipped Bowling Green on_---- .-- .--
Saturday night. Not becauseH
the offense exploded for
five goals Saturday against Commentay
the Falcons. --------------
The Wolverines were hot this weekend simply
because the weather was hot.
Don't get me wrong, the Wolverines didn't
play too badly this weekend. With the sweep of
two of the CCHA's Ohio schools, Michigan
leapfrogged Ferris State to grab the conference
lead.
Michigan's Sean Ritchlin also had a break-
through weekend, adding his third and fourth
goals of the season. Ritchlin's third goal was
especially clutch, as it broke a scoreless tie with
the RedHawks with 23,8 seconds remaining in
the game.
Sure, Ritchlin was hot. But he wasn't nearly as
hot as the tropical Bowling Green weather.
Goaltender Josh Blackburn was a little warm
this weekend. In fact, he has been as consistent as
80-degree days in Hawai'i. Blackburn, who has
sparkled since being pulled against Northern
Michigan Halloween night, made his first trip to
Ohio a successful one, only allowing two goals
on the weekend.
So Blackburn was slightly warm, too. But the
northwestern Ohio weather, which made for a lot
of sweaty players, coaches and fans, still wins
out.
The penalty killing has been good all year. In
fact, it has been really good. This weekend was
no exception, as the Wolverines killed off 16 of
their 17 shorthanded situations.
With skilled penalty killers Dale Rominski and
Geoff Koch having reserved seats in the BGSU
Ice Arena penalty box, the onus was on Scott
Matzka and Bill Trainor to pick up the slack.
Matzka shot down the ice like a comet, creat-
ing shorthanded opportunties with his blazing
speed. Trainor was a heat-seeking blur as well,
diving to the ice countless times to block
Bowling Green shots from the point.
The penalty-killing could be considered hot.
But compared to the heat, estimated at 60 degrees
inside BGSU Ice Arena, which caused the ice to
fog up in the third period, Michigan was chilly.
The offense has not been hot at all thus far this
season. While Michigan has been able to amass
25 to 30 shots per game on a regular basis, the
Wolverines have had a hard time turning those
shots into goals.
That trend continued into the Miami game, as
the previously inept Redhawks held the
Wolverines scoreless for 59 minutes and 36.2
seconds. If it weren't for Ritchlin's goal, the
Wolverines would have come out with a tie,
which wouldn't have been so hot.
Michigan won though, and the offense heated
up against the Falcons, as three third-period goals
were the difference in the game.
At 9-1-1 in the CCHA and 11-2-2 overall, the
Wolverines are gaining steam as they forge their
way through the regular season. But if Michigan
wasn't hotter than the December Bowling Green
weather, how can they be a candidate for the
April swelter in Anaheim, Calif.?
Well according to the Weather Channel, it was
warmer in Bowling Green than in Anaheim yes-
terday. While that normally doesn't happen,
maybe it could be an omen.
Or maybe the weather is really screwed up.
DAVID ROCHKIND/Dady
The Michigan hockey team has been skating at a faster speed than its opponents the past eight games.
Since a 6-1 loss to Northern Michigan on Halloween, the Wolverines have gone 6-0-2.
t C aY
Team
Michigan
Ferris State
CCHA.Standings
Fenis State tie drops Bulldogs from f-ist
place; Ohio State sweeps Fighting Irisht
W
9
8
1
3
CCHA
1
2
OVERALL
P
19
18
GP
11
'132
W
11
9
L
2
35
T
2
GP
15
1S
19 li 7 J 1a U
I I