6B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - January 11, 1999
Puck talk
"This guy's got mad sAkl
- Senior captain Bubba Berenzweig
commenting on Josh Langfelds ability
and the forward's third-period goal
on Friday night
Michigan 3
Ferris State 2
K Michigan
Ferris State
4
3
Key Play
Friday night, 6:44left in the game.
Freshman defenseman Jeff Jillson takes a
pass up top on a play fivm Mark Kosick
and Dale Rominski and slaps in
the game-winning goal.
TheDailyStars
The Michigan Daily hodkey writ-
ers' picks for Michigan's three
stars of the weekend.
. JEFF JILLSON -
DEFENSEMAN
" After leaving in December to -
play for the U.S. Junior National
Team, the freshman came, back
strong with one goal and three
assists in the two games.
- 2. MIKE COMRIE -
CENTER
The freshman returned from the
holiday break in style notching"
key goals in each game against
F e State.
-3. ScoTT MATZKA -'
FoRWARD
Michigan coach Red Berenson
moved Matzka to the wing. One
of his best scrappy performances"
came as a result.
Michigan 3, Ferris State 2
Michigan 0 1 2 - 3
Ferris State 0 0 2 -2
First period - no scoring. Penalties - FSU,
Wishart, (roughing) 3:41; Mich, Langfeld (roughing)
3:41; FSU, bench minor, (too many men) 5:38;
Mich, Rominski (high sticking) 6:00; FSU, Riccardi
(slashing) 6:53; Mich, Huntzicker (checking from
behind) 13:45; FSU, Homer (tripping) 18:14:
Second period- 1. Mich, Comrie 10 (Jeff Jilson,
Mark Kosick) 3:06. Penalties - FSU, Kozak (cross
checking) 2:56; Mich, Langfeld (roughing after whis-
tle) 5:34: FSU Irwin (roughing after whistle) 5:34;
Mich, Rominski (roughing after whistle) 5:34; FSU,
Basile (roughing after whistle) 5:34; FSU, Basile
(interference) 5:34; Mich, JilFson (elbowing) 16:41.
Third period - 1. FSU, McCullough 6 ( Wishart,
Irwin) 1:49 (pp); 2. FSU, Kowalski 3 (Sergt
Homer); 3. Mich, Langfeld 10 (Jison, Balckburn)
10:47; 4. Jillson (Kosick, Rominski) 13:16.
Penalties - Mich, Hayes (hooking) 0:43; FS
Kozak (roughing) 7:45; Mich, Crzier (roughing)
7:45; FSU, Tessier (slashing) 7:45; Mich, Ritchlin
(stashing) 7:45; FSU Tessier (roughing) 7:45; Mich,
Ritchlin (slashing) 7:45; Mich, Peach (delay of
game) 8:17; FSU, Wishart (roughing) 8:44; Mich,
Langfeld (interference) 14:10.
Shots on goal - Mich 4-15-11- 30; FSU 76 -19.
Power Plays - Mich, 1 of 6; FSU 1 of 5.
Saves - Mich, Blackburn 7-6-4 - 17; FSU, Owen
414-9 - 27.
Referee - Duke Shegos.
Unesmen - John LaDuke, Dave Kronenberg.
At: Yost Ice Arena. A: 6,019
Michigan 4, Ferris State 3
Michigan 2 1 1 - 4
Ferris State 1 1 1 - 3
First period-1. Mich, Matzka 2 (Jillson,
Huntzicker), 3:36. 2. FSU, Homer 4 (unassisted)
5:52. 3. Huntzicker 2 (unassisted) 10:15 (pp).
Penalties - FSU, Tessier (hooking), 5:33; Mich,
Ritchlin (roughing), 5:33; FSU Riccardi (hooking),
9:07; Mich, Rominski (hooking). 12:38; Mich,
Hayes (slashing), 13:03; FSU, Schroder (interfer-
ence), 16:48; Mich. Comre (high sticking) 16:48.
Second period -1. FSU, Homer 5 (owalski), 6:06.
2. Mich, Ritchlin 6 (Clark). 11:47. Penalties - FSU,
Hodel (cross-checking), 0:41; FSU, Tessier (interfer-
ence), 2:33; Mich, Hayes (elbowing), 7:36.
Third period -1. Mich, Comrie 11 (unassited),
0:32. 2. FSU, Hodel 3 (McCullough), 6:58.
Penalties- FS, Irwin (tripping). 1:11; Mich,
Merrick (hooking), 3:28; FSU, Swider (high stick.
ig) 15:11.
Shots on goal - Mich 7-9 - 22; FSU 8-5-9 -22.
Power Plays - Mich 1 of 5; FSU 0 of 4.
Saves - Mich, Blackburn 7-4-8 - 19; FSU, Owen
558-18
Referee - Roger Graff.
nesmen - Pat Bracco, John Pearson.
At: Yost Ice Arena. A: 6,315.
M Next
Opponents
Jan. 15 at Ferris State
Jana 16 Western Mihigan
Jan. 21 Bowling Green
Jan. 23 at Ohio State
Home games:in Bold
How the USCHO
Top '10 fared
Rankings and records as of Jan 4'
No. 1 North Dakota (13-2-1) def. MSU-
Mankato 5-4 and 5-2.
No. 2 Maine (12-1-4) def. Boston College 2-
s, lost to Boston College 7-4.
No. 3 Mlichgan State (16-3-2) def. Miami
(Ohio) 5-1 and Bowling Green 3-1.
No. 4 New Hampshire (13-4-1) def.Clarkson
4-1.
No. S Colorado College (14-5-1) def. St.
Cloud 4-0, lost to St~ Cloud 1-0.
No.65Boston College (11-5-2) lost to Maine
2-1, def. Maine 7-4.
No. 7 MichIgan (13-4-2) def. Fernis State 4-3
and 3-2.
No.8 Princeton (10-3-1) lost to Dartmouth
4-2, def. Dartmouth 3-2.
No.9 Notre Dame (10-6-2) def. Miami
(Ohio)2-0, def. Bowling Green 4-1.
No. 10 Ohio State (10-8-2) lost to Lake
Superior 3-2, def. Lake Superior 8-2.
Pregame silence honors Fishman's memory
By David Den Herder
and Mark Francescutti
Daily Sports Writers
Before the puck dropped Friday night and Yost Ice
Arena erupted into the boisterous cacophony for which it is
famous, rink announcer Glen Williams called for a moment
of silence.
The respectful audience complied in recognition of the
late Brian Fishman, former sports information director for
the Michigan hockey program from
1995-1998.
Fishman, 29, died late Thursday Hockey
night in his apartment after accidental No/.hd
overexposure to carbon monoxide. The
odorless gas seeped through the apart-
ment's central heating system, and returni air vents were
blocked by boxes, according to officials.
The loss of Fishman seemed to loom in the minds and
hearts of the entire program throughout the weekend series.
"I think it was a tough day to play," Michigan coach Red
Berenson said after Friday's game. "It was a sad thing for
hockey - it's like losing one of your players. You don't
expect something like this to happen."
Berenson reflected on a colleague who accompanied his
team's rise to the top in the mid '90s.
"He was on a mission to make Michigan hockey not
only well-known, but well-respected," Berenson said. "With
(former Wolverine) Brendan Morrison, it didn't hurt to
have Brian Fishman in his corner when he won the Hobey
Baker - there's a hundred stories about Brian Fishman, but
that's not going to bring him back."
Michigan captain Bubba Berenzweig said the memory
of Fishman was an inspiration for the team.
"It actually makes it a little easier to play, because you
think about how precious life is, especially when you know
Fishman, who was quite a character." Berenzweig said.
"Before the game I told these guys, 'if you can't give every-
thing you've got - because life is so precious - then why
are you even out here?"'
Memorial services for Fishman were held yesterday in
Bethesda, Md.
SHUFFLING THE DECK: The return of forward Josh
Langfeld on Friday was accompanied by a reorganizing of
the line chart. Six-foot-three Langfeld hit the ice with 6-3
Dale Rominski and the physical 6-1 Bobby Hayes at center.
Berenson said he was trying to accomplish a more phys-
ical and balanced presence up front.
"We're trying to balance our lines on offense as well as
defense," Berenson said. "I like Langfeld on that line. He's
a threat to score, plus he's a physical, hard-working player"
The offensive change-up also moved Mark Kosick from
the wing back to center, and shifted Scott Matzka over to
right wing.
"We're moving guys around trying to find situations
where they're going to be more successful - so we're not
a one-line team."
BACK IN THE HUNT: After 12 games without a goal,
defenseman Dave Huntzicker found the net Saturday with
an unassisted bullet in the first period.
Huntzicker intercepted an attempted clearing pass dur-
ing a Michigan power play and was left alone on the point.
"I waited for a second, for traffic to get in front, then I
put it up off the ice a little. The goalie never saw it," he said.
Huntzicker also had an assist on Saturday to compli-
ment a strong offensively defensive effort by the
Wolverines. Jeff Jillson returned from obligations at USA
Hockey to score a goal and three assists on the weekend,
including the game-winner Friday night. Mike Van Ryn,
who was playing for the Canadian junior national team,
overcame illness to turn in a solid performance Saturday.
"This morning, Van Ryn called me and told me he was
feeling better, and really wanted to play," Berenson said
after Saturday's game. "So he drove here from London
(Ontario) this morning, and got here this afternoon."
"I'm glad to have Langfeld, Jillson, and Mike Van Ryn
back. They make a big difference."
4
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.p .a, . ._
MARGARET MYERS/L
Sean Peach and the Michigan defensemen were solid this weekend, limiting Ferris
State's opportunities and protecting late leads in both games, resulting in
Michigan victories and four more points in the conference standings.
Blackburn escapes weekend
By Chris Duproy
Daily Sports Writer
It's not a stretch to say that the play of Michigan goaltender
Josh Blackburn has helped keep the Wolverines in the running
for the CCHA regular season title.
Michigan coach Red Berenson has thrown him into the
deep end of the pool this season with only his teammates as a
life preserver, and Blackburn has responded, carrying a 15-3-2
record and a goals-against average of only 1.75 after this week-
end's games.
But, as solid as Blackburn has been at times (allowing a
total of one goal in a series against Michigan State and Notre
Dame Nov. 20-21), and as shaky he has been on certain nights
(being pulled after yielding four goals to Northern Michigan
Halloween night), this weekend facing Ferris State, Blackburn
was just mediocre.
There were multiple mistakes made by the freshman. He
mishandled the puck behind his own net a few times, and it
finally caught up with him Friday, as Ferris State's Ed Kowalski
beat an out-of-position Blackburn to unnecessarily give the
Bulldogs a 2-1 lead and plenty of confidence.
Blackburn couldn't shake the soft-goal plague on Saturday
night either, allowing Kenzie Homer's first-period shot to slip
past him and wipe out Michigan's early 1-0 lead.
"The first shot can handcuff you - it's how you react to the
goal;' Berenson said. "If you go into the tank and give up five
after that, then there's an issue. I don't think there's an issue
with Blackburn. I like the way he finished the game."
Whether or not Blackburn played perfectly, the Wolverines
earned two victories on the weekend. And winning sure helps
make a lot of mistakes look insignificant.
Count on your fingers
Michigan freshman goaltender Josh Blackburn by the
numbers:
3 -- shutouts this season
1.75 - goals-against average
.920 -save percentage
15 - wins this season
2 - number of rounds of "Temptation" inspired by
Blackburn against Ferris State on Saturday night, indi-
cating a sensational save -
112 - victories needed to tie former Michigan goal-
tender Marty Turco for the NCAA career mark
"I don't think this weekend was that great," Blackburn sat
"We managed to win, but it wasn't one of my better weekends"
Luckily, it didn't have to be. The freshman found his bear-
ings at the crucial junctures of each game, helping Michigan to
victory.
Blackburn's diving stop of Brent Wishart on Friday night
was possibly one of his best efforts of the season, but it was in
the third period of Saturday's 4-3 triumph where "Blackie"
saved the day, stuffing Wishart again, this time with an acro-
batic glove save on a rifle of a slapshot from the Ferris State
forward.
Even when he is off his game, the modest, soft-spoken
freshman doesn't expect any loose treatment from his team-
mates or Michigan fans.
"I'd imagine I'm my own harshest critic," Blackburn said.
"I don't expect anyone to take it easy on me. The fans want to
win.
"I want to win, too, obviously."
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
Michigan goaltender Josh Blackburn was good when he had to be this weekend,
making the necessary saves to lock up two clutch victories for the Wolverines.
Michigan sweeps Bulldogs,
puts stop to two-game skid
BULLDOGS
Continued from Page IB
take the team goal-scoring lead with 11.
Comrie's 11 th goal, a seemingly innocent wrist
shot from the right faceoff circle, turned out to
be the insurance that Michigan needed.
Comrie also opened up the scoring Friday
night in the second period, as he scored a
power-play goal off a Jillson feed.
As was the theme with the weekend, the
Bulldogs didn't quit. In fact, goals by Brian
McCullough and Ed Kowalski in the third peri-
od - scored five minutes apart - put Ferris
State up 2-1 and put the Wolverines in danger
of dropping a third straight game.
"When Ferris State came in here last
February, we had lost two in a row and then
they beat us to make it three," Berenson said.
"There were a lot of stars lined up that might
not have been in our favor."
One thing that worked in Michigan's favor
was the return of Josh Langfeld. Langfeld,
who was doubtful to play earlier in the week,
was in the lineup Friday sporting a shoulder
brace. But Langfeld shed the brace in the sec-
ond period and added his 10th goal of the sea-
son a period later. The goal, which occurred
with nine minutes left in the game, knotted the
game at two.
"I had that big, bulky thing on so I would-
n't get whiplash," Langfeld said of his brace.
"It was pretty uncomfortable."
Jillson put the Wolverines ahead to stay a
couple minutes later, when he received a drop
pass from Rominski and beat Owen top shelf.
The goal finished up a stellar game for
Jillson, who assisted on the other two
Michigan goals. Considering that Jillson had
just arrived from the World Junior
Championship tournament in Winnipeg,
Canada, a few days earlier, his performance
was even more remarkable.
"It's been a tough month of December, but
it felt good to be back with the boys," Jillson
said.
MARGARET MYERS/Daily
Michigan's Mike Comrie had a goal in each game this weekend, reasserting his role as the Wolverines'
top scorer with :1. goals.
CCHA Standings
State takes care of business; Fighting Irish roll ,
Team
Michigan State
Michigan
- Ohio State
- Notre Dame
W
12
12
10
9
L
2
2
5
5
CCHA
L T
t 2
1 2
2 2
5 1
Pts
26
25
22
19
GP
16
15
17
15
w
18
15
11
L
3
4
9
6
T
2
2
2
2
23 <
21
22
20
OVERALL
From staff reports
The CCHA returned to action with its first full
week of conference play this weekend, with no major
upsets being registered. Michigan State still leads the
CCHA by one point over Michigan, but the
Wlviirne hw a 0gme in hand.
washed Miami 5-1 in East Lansing on Friday night.
Heading into the third period protecting a slim 2-1
lead, Michigan State scored three times in the final
stanza, including two tallies from York.
Mike Gresl notched his seventh victory this sea-
son by making 17 saves in a solid effort.
tinued a stellar senior season with 26 saves.
Western Michigan and Alaska-Fairbanks split
games in their battle for eighth place in the CCHA
and the final conference playoff spot.
Ian Perkins made 29 saves to pace the Nanooks'
4-1 victory Saturday at Lawson Ice Arena. Alaska-
1Z