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. Thc lverincs, %uflcd all nislht 1',, O Redlflwks. tin/rli gt l thew re(A. Scan Rillskten faer aitboanned a/tau Miami par a nd tired it pat t,111 Olsen tat- the, tnE-Krtrrer 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