A good ol' hockey game _ lcl n immk- iolirh in Ithe lite t"SA -hT ay/AnIcricmnI lhockcy Miagari poll. (o oniline to set how the rest of the top 15 shakes out. michigandaily.con /sports PR TSli 9ttn tdlg THURSDAY OCTOBER 13, 2000 11 Icers in Alaska to hone power play No. 18MICHIGAN . INDIANA TOMORROW, 3:30 P.M., MICHIGAN STADIUM By Jon Schwartz Dal Sports Writer The Michigan hockey team can never be accused of avoiding chal- lenges. And the cavalier scheduling almost took its toll on the Wolverines in the season's opening weekend. Going into the year ranked No. 2, in the country by U.S. College plus team in special teams which means that we score more on our power play than they score on theirs. If we can do that, it'll help us win some games." Both teams that the Wolverines will face rank near the bottom of their conferences' preseason polls, a pleasant relief after last weekend's games. What's at stake: Another loss for Michigan (2-1 Big Ten, 4-? overall), and the Wolverines can say goodbye to Rose Bowl hopes. Indiana (1- 1, 2-3) needs a victory to pull above .500 in the Big Ten. What they're saying: "We need to see some intensity." -- Michigan coach Lloyd Carr "This is the best defense that we've seen. " - Indiana coach Cam Cameron Rou h& Hockey Online, Michigan opened its iseason in the prestigious lee Breaker tournament at Yost Ice Arena. As the two ties proved, the Wolverines could just as easily be 0- 2-0 or 2-0-0 instead of the current tally, 0-0-2. And as they compete in the Johnson Nissan Classic this weekend in THISWEEKEND SULLIVAN ARENA What: Johnson Nissan Classic (Anchorage, Alaska) Who: No. 4Michigan(0-0- 2) vs. Merrimack (Tonight), vs. Aaska-Anchorage (Tomorrow) When: 9:05 p.m. tonight,: 11:05 p.m. tomorrow night But Michigan is not ready to look past any- one, and knows that nonconference wins will help , the team's seeding come postsea- son. With that in mind, an impressive showing is important. "You want to make a good impression around the nation," Cammalleri said. :he great distance being for the tournament, 7' Daily on tomorrow's game: Previews, matchups and witty banter. Only in today's Football Saturday insert. f In today's Daily Anchorage, Alaska, the Wolverines *will have the benefit of learning from last week's problems and mis- takes to create this weekend's suc- cess. The Wolverines will face Merrimack and Alaska-Anchorage in the tournament that also features CCHA rival Michigan State. And while the team has proven that it is capable of playing with *ome of the nation's best teams, it will rely on making improvements to put the first win of the season on the board. Of particular necessity this week- end for the Wol ernnes is to establish effective special teams. In its first two games. Michigan gave up 6 power play goals out of 20 chances, while scoring four of their own on 21 power plays. "In college hockey, a lot of games W e decided on the power play or penalty kill," sophomore center Mike Cammalleri said. "Our goal is to be a Despite traveled For WM' women's soccer, a critical Big Ten weekend Michigan does know bits and pieces about the competition that it will face. . "They're probably going to be like most of the teams in our league, clutch and grab a bit - a little less skilled," senior Scott Matzka said. "They'll maybe send one guy forechecking and look for us to make mistakes." Meanwhile, Cammalleri is excited to face Merrimack to be reunited with an old friend. "A good friend of mine who I played juniors with plays there now," he said. Anthony Aquino "was my right-winger for about six years in minor hockey so we know each other pretty well." This weekend is the final tune-up for the CCHA season. Michigan starts conference play next weekend with two games against Bowling Green. By Jeff Phillips Daily Sports Writer Today at 4 p.m. at the Michigan soccer field, the Michigan women's soccer team faces its toughest opponent yet - No. 6 Penn. State. Penn State is atop the Big Ten with a 6-0 record and is led by Christie Welsh - two- time Big Ten player of the week and far and away the Big Ten's leading scorer. "We know we are going to have to key on Christie Welsh," Michigan coach Debbie Belkin Rademacher said. "We know their for- mations and are looking to play some tight defense." The Nittany Lions have the most potent offensive attack in the conference, as well as the most stingy defense, allowing just 0.52 goals per game overall and 0.33 in Big Ten play. "Against a team like Penn State you have to be focused and finish your chances," Rademacher said. Despite Penn State leading the overall series 4-2-4, Michigan has had its way with the Nittany Lions as of late. Last season, after bat- tling to a tie at State College, the Wolverines defeated Penn State 4-2 to win the Big Ten tournament championship. "I'm sure that they are out to get us now," Rademacher said. Penn State has handled every Big Ten oppo- nent with ease, with the exception of Wisconsin - the Nittany Lions needed a goal in the final ten seconds to win. The Badgers handed the Wolverines one of their two Big Ten losses. "It's been a great rivalry for seven years See SOCCER, Page 12 ALEX WOLK Daoly Amber Wilson and the Wolverines host Penn State today. I- - ----- ------ -o - -E TODAY, Oct.13 11 a.m.-3 p.m. DIAG DAYS Great music, cool prizes and BIG fun on the Diag. Show your strength in the Iron Man Challenge, score a knockout in Bouncy Boxing, or get spun in the Gyro! Friday, Oct. 13 7:30 p.m. THE BIG EVENT Join our pep rally on the Diag for the BIGGEST show of Michigan spirit ever! Great music, incredible lights, the Michigan Marching Band, cheerleaders, head football coach Lloyd Carr, surprise guests, and a spectacular highlights video of the biggest and best in U-M football-all simulcast on a giant video wall! 1 1 2 GREAT CONTESTS ON THE DIAG ALL WEEK! What's a Hoosier? The author of the most creative definition gets dinner for two at BD's Mongolian Barbeque! Bowl Tour Drawing Enter to win a deluxe trip for two to the Wolverine's post-season bowl game! Drop off your entries at the SAC table on the Diag all week. Contest winners will be announced at THE BIG EVENT on Friday night! U-M students only, please. www.umich.edu/~homecbm/ Sponsored by: U-M Athletics - -- ~A../.. 1 I 1 1 I I I 1 I U