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 .. .. "e-rr,,, _. .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