4B - The Michigan Daily - January 18, 2000 - SportsTuesday Puck talk "It was kind of weird after Iscored. It's been a year and a half and 1'd forgotten what the feeling was. I liked it enough to get another one." - Michigan sophomore Craig Murray Michigan 5 Michigan 5 Key Play Friday, 6:35 into the third period. Mark Kosick scored the Wlverines' fourtlh goal in Friday's~ 5-2 victory to stop Miami's comeback attempt after the Redt-awks pulled to within one goal, 3-2. Miami 2 Mimi I Welcome back: Gassoff, defense return for game 2 The Michigan Daily hockey writers' picks for Michigan's three stars of the weekend. - CRAIG MURRAY - CENTER The sophomore scored his first and second goal of his career in Saturday's victory - MIKE CAMMALLERI - CENTER The center scored twice in Friday's victory, becoming the leading freshman scorer on the team. - ANDY HILBERT - RIGHT WING The freshman had a goal Friday; and nearly a second on Saturday as his shot hit the crossbar. iy Chris Grandstaff Daily Sports Writer On Friday night Michigan coach Red Berenson was calling for more defense, and the Yost Ice Arena crowd was calling for Bob Gassoff. On Saturday night both got their wish. The Wolverines skated off the ice with what could be construed as a sat- isfying 5-2 win over Miami on Friday night - not so according to Berenson, who was obviously upset with his team's defensive performance. "We were fortunate even in the first period to be ahead after giving up the kind of shots that we gave up," Berenson said. "In the second period if you look at the shot chart there was just a cluster of shots from the slot -- real good scoring chances. We really had trouble in our own zone and (goalie) Josh Blackburn had to be the differ- ence in the game." The Wolverines gave up a season high 39 shots on goal on Friday night, but capitalized on their scoring oppor- tunities, and received yet another stel- lar performance from Blackburn en route to the victory. But on Saturday the Wolverines came out with renewed defensive intensity. Berenson had stressed defense in a pregame team meeting and the Wolverines responded in a big way. Michigan held the RedHawks to a meager 10 shots on goal for the entire game. That mark tied the school record low for shots in a game - a mark first set on Oct. 26, 1979, against Northern Michigan. "They didn't get any point-blank shots or any Grade-A scoring chances," Berenson said. "Overall, we played better defensively. I thought we got, not necessarily selfish, but a little offensive minded (Friday night) and tried to play more like individuals. Tonight we played more like a team." The Wolverines' defensive effort was aided by the return of defenseman Bob Gassoff, who sat out Friday night's game - serving a one-game suspen- sion he earned for his role in the postgame fight at Michigan State. Gassoff's absence was felt by both his teammates and the Yost Ice Arena crowd, who on Friday chanted "We want Gassoff," whenever circum- stances on the ice started to heat up. "I was up in the press box and heard that," Gassoff said. "I wanted to jump in the game from the start. It's really tough to sit in the stands and watch, especial- ly in a game like Friday night when was getting a little chippy and you ne to protect your team. There's not too much you can do sitting in the stands." But Gassoff returned Saturday night,: and although the game was devoid of any serious altercations, Gassoff made his presence known on the ice nonethe- less - at one point calling out the entire RedHawk team by directing his glove at each individual on the Miami bench. "It's nice having him in the lineup, Michigan forward J. J. Swistak said. "He steps up and watches everyone else's backs. He takes care of every- body out there." takes first .-' DAVID KATZ/Dasi Jeff Jillson and the Michigan defense dominated Miami on Saturday, limiting the RedHawks to 10 shots on goal - this after it permitted 39 shots on Friday Blackburn has 'blast' in Yost homecoming; 'M' By Stephanie Offen Daily Sports Writer Josh Blackburn stepped out on the ice on Friday night in front of a Yost crowd for the first time since Michigan's exhibition game against Wilfred Laurier. Trickles went down his spine as he heard the crowd erupt at the announcement of his name. With every save, the crowd was on its feet bowing down to the goalie who had been sit- ting out most of the season with a Lisfrancs sprain. This was the response Blackburn had been eagerly awaiting for three months. Mi higan\ sophomore goaltender was hcduied to mae his firs appearance after the injury this past weekend, but he returned one week early and shut out Michigan State on the road 2-0. "It was a bonus to get him back a week early," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "Coming off a shutout you don't know how you are going to play. You don't know if there will be a letdown by the team and the goalie, but I thought he really rose to the occasion this weekend." Against Miami, Blackburn continued his domination in net, extending his streak of scoreless periods to five. Blackburn was not scored upon until 22 seconds into the third period of Friday's 5-2 victory. Blackburn faced 39 shots on Friday, the most shots on goal Michigan has given up all season. "Your goalie shouldn't have to be a factor in your games at home, but he was a factor in the game tonight," said Berenson after Friday's victory. "He played excellent. He was in position, he made great saves, had great rebound con- trol, great angles, all the things a goalie needs to be successful." But Saturday, Berenson's words must have had some impact on his players, as Blackburn became a non-factor in the 5-1 victory. The Wolverines allowed just 10 shots on goal, the fewest they allowed all season and the fewest that Blackburn has faced in his career at Michigan. "It's a hard game to play when you only have 10 shots," Blackburn said. "You get really cold and you have to remember to stay focused. You have to keep yourself warm any way you can. I try to move around and do some extra movement so that I can get blood flowing a little bit more." But Blackburn's welcome home, which he described as a 'blast,' warmed him up. This weekend was not only a turning point for Blackburn and the fans who missed him, but it provided a lift for the entire team. "It changes the attitude in the lockerroom before the game," junior Josh Langfeld said. "Before, we were hoping to win. Now we know Blackie's in goal, and if we bury our chances we will win 90 percent of the time. Just having him back is an extra ace in the hole." ON Top: For the first time all season, the Wolverines have taken sole possession of first place in the CCHA. The Jan. 7 victory over Michigan State put the Wolverines in a tie with the Spartans and Northern Michigan for first. But Thursday night, both of Michigan's conference foes faltered. The Spartans fell to Nebraska-Omaha 4-3 in overtime and Northern tied Notre Dame 2-2 on the same night. With only 12 games to go, this position atop the conference is especially important. The Wolverines still have two-game series against both Northern Michigan and Michigan State ahead of them. But those two weekends aren't the only concern for the team. "Last year it came down to one point at the end," said junior Krikor Arman, who had a goal in Saturday's victory. "Every time Michigan State faltered and gave us a chance to go ahead we would falter too and lose a game. "We talk about beating the teams we are tied with, but if you lose to the teams who are lower in the league it kills you in the end." Michigan 5, Miami 1 Miami 0 1 0 - 1 Michigan 1 1 3 -5 First period- 1,UM, Murray 1 (Swistak) 2:51, *Penalties - MIA, Marsch, (tipipng) 5:50; UM, Ortmeyer (holding) 9:18; UM, illson (roughing) 12:10; MIA, Medvecz (holding) 17:40. Second pew off -_MIA, Jardine 9 (Leahy. Whitecotton), 10:39 (pp); 2. UiM Mink 4 (Ortmneyer), 19:15. Penaltes - MIA, Marsch (slashing) 5:55; UM, Arman (holding) 8:57; UM, Ortmeyer (roughing) 8:57; IM, Swistak (roughing) 8:57: MIA, Glumac {Booking) 13:52, Third period- 3. VM,Arman 1 (Comrie, Hlbert), 12:49: 4. UM, Murray 2 (unassisted), 13:45: 5.tUM, Comrie (Jison), 15:10 (pp). Penalties - MIA, Ortineyer (crass-checking) .14:26; MiA, Waford (roughing) 15:55; UM, Arman (slashing) 15:55; UM, Arman (high-sticking) 15:55; UM, Mink (roughing) 19:17; MIA. Sautch (roughing) 19:17; UM Mink high sticking) 19:17. Shots on goal.-. MIA 4-24 - 10; UM 66-10 - 22. Powner Plays - MIA, 1lof 5; UIM 1 of 5. Saves - MIA Burleigh 5-5-7 17 ; UM, Blackburn 41-4 - 9. Referee - Jim Sotiroff unesmen - John Pearson, Pat Bracco At; Yost ice Arena Attendance: 6,491 lmffl DAVID KATZ/Daily lash Blackburn stopped 46 shots this past weekend in his triumphant Yost ice Arena homecoming. Murray, Arman key explosive line Michigan he streak agan fWolverines NEXT WEEKEND Friday: at Ohio State 7:00 p.m. hopes to continue its winning iest the Buckeyes who the sdefeated twice -this season. By Geoff Gagnon Daily Sports Witer Craig Murray, nearing the end of a third- period shift, took the puck to Miami netminder David Burleigh's left, cut in front of a defender and then let sail a shot. What happened next Murray said he never saw - but 6,500 fans sure did. Murray's scoring shot that beat Burleigh at 13:45 of the third period was the second of its kind Saturday night in Michigan's 5-I drubbing of the RedHawks. With the slippery shot, the sophomore forward found his second goal of the night and Michigan found an unlikely star having the game of his still- young career. And while the British Columbia native, who fell backward on the shot, may not have seen the puck clear the crease and find the net, he certainly knows what his two-goal night feels like- his teammates made sure of that. "Almost every guy tackled me at least once when we left the ice," Murray said. "It's a great feeling to have everyone on your side. They've been cheering for me so I'm glad I finally got there." But the arrival of Murray to the ranks of Michigan's goal-scorers is anything but a surprise to Michigan coaches or players who've seen the Montreal Canadien draft pick battle for a spot in Michigan's rota- tion. "The kid has scored a lot of goals in his career, until he got here, Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "He's had a tough time mostly because of injury and he has- n't had the confidence. Maybe this will give him confidence." What Murray's strong showing did accomplish, aside from bolstering the sec- ond-year player's psyche, was help lift Michigan to its 13th CCHA win of the year. Murray's first strike, a score at 2:51 of the first period on a give from J.J. Swistak, gave Michigan an early 1-0 lead while his second helped put the game away. "Obviously he had a good shot tonight, he went down and just drilled it, it went right through the goalie literally through the five-hole," Berenson said of Murray's first collegiate goal. "The second goal was a deceptive shot. He was moving and looking one way and then just wristed it through a screen and it went right over the shoulder of the goalie. It was a good scor- ing play." The two-goal outburst came just more than a year after Murray tallied his only point with an assist against Michigan Tech in last season's Great Lakes Invitational- a drought that made Murray's first goal feel unusual. "It was kind of weird when I scored," Murray joked. "Its been a year and a half and I'd almost forgotten what it felt like" Admittedly in the same position, line- mate Krikor Arman, who exploded for two goals in his debut with Michigan two years ago only to be held scoreless since, re-affirmed his presence with a goal of his own at 12:49 of the third period. "It's definitely great to score," Arman said. "I'm in the same boat with Murray, I haven't gotten one in a while. I'm glad it came when it did. It was a big lift for us." Arman, who walked on to the team in 1997 after playing with the Dearborn Heights Nationals, has, like Murray, spent this season battling for a position in the :.:x Michigan lineup after playing nine score- less games a year ago. "I thought Krikor has looked good in practice and he deserved to have a game and he took advantage of it," Berenson said. Playing on Michigan's top rotation in place of Geoff Koch, who left the game after being checked into the corner of the - Tallied first score since recording two goa s *one period n h s coeg boards and the Miami bench, Arman cer- debut tainly made the most of his chances. Ona - d e H N s N- pass from Andy Hilbert who played the puck to Mike Comrie, Arman found him- self in front of Burleigh, where he buried his third collegiate goal. - Sparking Michigan's fourth line to a stellar offensive night, Arman, Murray . ,. and Swistak gave Michigan just the sort , of depth that Berenson had hoped for coming into the weekend. "Typically, when your fourth line scores, they are big goals and that was the case tonight," Berenson said. "Somebody asked me what I think of our fourth line and I said, 'I expect them s to hold the other team's fourth line and maybe be a better line than the other team's."' On Saturday night, Michigan's fourthyrd d line realized Berenson's hopes and a few °Drftd yth Mnte ®_aden . ®19 of their own- even if they didn't see it themselves. Vermont ends hockey season CCHA OVERALL Team Michigan Michigan State Northern Michigan Lake Superior Ferris State W 13 12 11 9 L 14 5 3 6 T 0 0 2 1 Pts 26 24 24 19 16 GP 17 17 16 16 16' GF GA 70 37 54 24 55 35 44 38 46 43 W 18 16 16 10 15. L 6 7 6 11 g T 0 0 2> 1 0 During the weekend, manry players achiieved notable firsts - Craig Murray sored his first twro career goals, . .Swistak recorded his first career assist and Krikor Amnan scored his first goal of the season. MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The University of Vermont canceled the remainder of its men's hockey season Friday after learning that some players lied during an investigation into a hazing scandal. "We have received credible informa- tion which indicates that a number of Players on scholarship will remain o scholarship, and no player has beep expelled from school. The university is continuing its investigation, Woodworth said. No coaches have been implicated. University officials, who have been criticized for slowness to respond and secretiveness about the hazing, issued a I ,. 8t ' 4 { j F ( ~ W"i I