I ° S: SC:4%; "+.r: .+. ,. -. .m. ,... ... ,... .zw Lws anaa.,rw.a.+e. ,. rt.- *r«.. .N..... . . .«.+. : t a,. .a"y biwara+:m x IA i#h.S1TP: ds Gti - e re,:+.R1Y,,.:_.:.'r}, " .L1txt aiins p......., .. ,.....,..,:m.....,... ., w w UUiiiUcYnii OtAfJ & 1.J, .IZ'ZJO ._EW .~ W 7 7 a... _.. t w ,. . . i nursaay, ucccmw a, -i reo - racecn HEY BASKETBALL FANS: CATCH TIPOFF '98 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 Forwards need to pick. up slack for Ferris 'M' looks to reload Senior Portraits will be taken daily Sept. 28 - Oct. 31 at the Union. CCHA Rank - Media Poll Throughout the CCHA preseason press conference, coaches were empha- sizing the quality of competition in the conference. Ferris State felt the full effect of the competitive crunch last season. "One point would have meant the dif- ference between eighth and sixth place" last season, Ferris State coach Bob Daniels said. That one point forced the Bulldogs to play Michigan State in the CCHA tour- nament. Predictably, the Spartans whipped Ferris State in two games. If the Bulldogs hope to finish higher this season, their forwards will have to lead the way. Ferris State returns all of its forwards from last year, including cap- tain Joel Irwin, who netted 15 goals. "No doubt that the strength of our team will be forwards," Daniels said. "We don't lose a player from last year - we felt that it was a bit of a strength for us a year ago, and with all those players returning, it'll certainly be a strength of our team this season." One thing that is not certain is the Ferris State defense. While Vince Owen returns in goal, the defensemen in front of him are unsettled. Daniels is counting on three freshmen - Jason Basile, Chad McIver and Christian Schroeder - to produce this season. But the offensive capabilites of the defense, long a Ferris State strength, is questionable at best. "We've had a fine tradition of having some great offensive defensemen at Ferris, and it will probably be an element of our team that we will miss," Daniels said. If the youngsters play well on defense, the Bulldogs have a decent shot at host- ing a first-round CCHA playoff series in March. If not, eighth place could be, Ferris State's yet again. - T JBerka Last year's overall record: 15-21-3 Last year's CCHA record: 12-15-3 Last year's results vs. Michigan Nov. 14 Mich. 3, Ferris 2 (OT) Nov. 16 Mich. 3, Ferris 3 Feb. 27 Ferris 2, Mich. 1 1998-99 games against Michigan Jan. 8-9 Ann Arbor Jan. 15 Big Rapids By David Den Herder D)aily Sports Writer Last fall, Michigan was wondering how its offense could ever recover from the loss of Brendan Morrison. The Wolverines managed. This season, Michigan loses only two forwards to graduation. Unfortunately, that duo - Bill Muckalt and Matt Herr - combined for 98 points last year. Before the puck dropped on the 1998-99 season, coach Red Berenson tried to put things in per- spective. "Last year, as we sat here, I was lamenting the fact that we had lost nine seniors," Berenson said. "But I was feeling good because we had Marty Turco in goal, and Bill Muckalt and Matt Herr. "This year, we don't have those three, and they were key players in our program." The question is, will anyone fill the roles of Muckalt and Herr - or perhaps more appropriately - does anyone have to ? Center Mark Kosick returns from an impressive freshman season. He was a CCHA all-rookie team mem- ber and is Michigan's leading return- ing scorer. Unfortunately, he is also returning form a separated shoulder that benched him through much of the exhibition season. Assistant captain Bobby Hayes will share time with Kosick at center. Hayes also brings back solid num- bers (21 goals-23 assists - 44 points), and is the Wolverines' top returning goal scorer. Already established as a clutch forward (he scored three game-win- ners last year, including the one against North Dakota in the playoffs) Hayes should be an anchor in Michigan's offensive scheme. Josh Langfeld and Geoff Koch bring size to the line, as well as 47 returning points. Langfeld trails only Hayes in returning goals with 19, and the CCHA all-rookie honorable mention selection last year has big potential this year. As a freshman "I knew I'd come in and play," Langfeld said. "I didn't know I'd have as big an impact as I did." And speaking of freshmen who could have a big impact, maize and blue faithful should take a good look at Mike Comrie. At only 5-10, plus skates, Comrie doesn't exactly grab attention - but his performance may have people talking. Comrie had a goal and an assist against Guelph in his first game, and was named the second star. "I think Mike is going to be a spe- cial player," Berenson said. "He can beat you one-on-one, and he uses his N F C v d p p SE is B n u H T of 0 sl Players to watch Joel Irwin Vince Owen Jason Basile Yr. Sr. So. Fr. Pos. RW G D 4 Head coach Bob Daniels, seventh season Notable: Ferris State is in Big Rapids, not Grand Rapids. "We've got good balance - a lot of scorers on each line." Hayes "The young guys are getting used to the system slowly. We'll be ready." Call today to set up your appointment! OIUFITTERS 333 S. MAIN - ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 Backpacking * Camping Mountaineering " X-Country Skiing Outdoor Clothing Celebrating twenty-three years as your outdoor equipment specialists. Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10-6 Fri.& Sat.10-8; Sun. 12-5 Player Ht. Wt. Yr. Player Krikor Arman Justin Clark Mike Comrie Greg Crozier Bobby Hayes Geoff Koch Mark Kosick 6-0 200 So. 6-3 215 Sr. 5-10 172 Fr. 6-3 205 Sr. 6-1 165 Sr. 6-2 196 So. 5-11 180 So. Josh Langfeld Scott Matzka Andrew Merrick Craig Murray Sean Ritchlin Dale Rominski Bill Trainor Ht. Wt. Yr. 6-3 205 So. 6-0 195 So. 6-0 197 Jr. 6-0 175 Fr. 6-0 206 Sr. 6-2 205 Sr. 6-0 185 So. 4 Bookstore WARREN ZINN/Daily Mark Kosick is back from a preseason shoulder injury, and will be a big part of Michigan's offensive strategy in the games to come. The Wolverines should have a more balanced attack this season. Go Blue Hoi Check out our HUGE inventory of MICHIO AN Memorabilia! - clothesglsswref watches, pens, rings etc. :rm. ENSI4N yearo ok Av 1-8C WWN 761-8515 00-778-3636 w.ismi.net/wilderness I 1 K y, r' +K ,F i .- :i .: M AAA