Ile Michigan daily -- :po t sMonday Novnmos 'U, 2000 - B
Injuries hampering 'M' icers
MARK
FRAN
By Arun Gopal
)aiy Sports Writer
In hockey, as in most sports, injuries are inevitable.
hile they can be aggravating and disruptive to a
[am's momentum, they are an accepted consequence
f sending finely-tuned athletes out to slam into each
er for two hours.
Despite that fact, this season has been extraordi-
ary for the Michigan hockey
cam. The Wolverines have been HOCKEY
beset by, an unusual rash of Notebook
njuries in the young campaign.
Ehe bug first hit junior defense-
nan Jeff Jillson, then progressed to fellow defense-
nan Brad Fraser, goalie Josh Blackburn and captain
3eoff Koch.
Then, just when it seemed like Michigan was start-
ng to return to full strength, this weekend's series
inst Alaska-Fairbanks sent the Wolverines crash-
ng back to reality. Michigan had three players go
lown, two in Friday night's 8-0 victory.
Senior assistant captain Dave Huntzicker was lost
or at least six weeks after injuring his left knee late
n the first period on Friday. Then, forward Craig
vurray took a hard hit in the third period and was
brced to miss Saturday's game with a shoulder
njury.
To top things off, freshman Dave Wyzgowski hurt
left ankle early in the third period on Saturday. He
heduled for x-rays today.
By far, the biggest blow for Michigan is the loss of
Huntzeicker Surrounded by youngsters such as fresh-
men Andy Barnes and Mike Komisarek and sopho-
more Mike Roemensky, the senior has been a steady-
ing veteran presence on the blue line and will be dif-
ficult for the Wolverines to manage without.
Losing Huntzicker "is definitely going to hurt us,"
sophomore center John Shouneyia said after Friday's
game. "Huntz is a really solid defenseman back
there. I don't think they know for sure how long, but
other guys are going to have to step up.
WHITHER THE FOURTH LINE?: The combination
of Murray, Bill Trainor and Joe Kautz provided
Michigan with an effective fourth line on Friday
night. But due to the natural fourth-line game rota-
tion, plus Murray's aforementioned injury, the
Wolverines went with Trainor, Wyzgowski and J.J.
Swistak on the fourth line on Saturday. Unfortunately
for Michigan, the results were not great.
"I just didn't feel comfortable playing our fourth
line tonight," Michigan coach Red Berenson said.
"They got in trouble when they were out there once,
and Wyzgowski got hurt, so all of a sudden, we're
shorthanded, and I didn't have a centerman, so we
were playing three lines most of the night.".
THE SECRET WEAPON: Late in the second period
on Friday night, Michigan goalie Josh Blackburn
fired a pass to a streaking Trainor, who skated into
the Alaska-Fairbanks zone and fired a perfect center-
ing pass to a wide-open Kautz.
Kautz banged the puck home for his first career
CESCUTTI
Sights and sounds of'
a Columbus weekend
BRANDON SEDLOFF/Daily
Forced to be a spectator with an MCI injury, Michigan
defenseman Dave Huntzicker might miss six weeks,
goal, and Blackburn was awarded an assist on the
play. The junior netminder now has three assists so
far this season, which begs the question, is
Blackburn auditioning for a spot on one of the for-
ward lines?
"1 can't break (Marty) Turco's win record, so
maybe I can beat him at scoring," Blackburn said
with a laurh.
KOCH SCORES!
PHOTOS BY BRENDAN O'DONNELL
Saturda struggles
befuddle Wolverines
After Alaska-Fairbanks goalie Lance Mayes saves Michigan's Scott Matzka's shot
on Friday night, Geoff Koch sneaks through and gets his stick on the puck...
< '
By Ryan C. Moloney
Daily Sports Writer
It didn't seem possible until Alaska-
Fairbanks defenseman Daniel Carriere
flew in on a 3-on-I with Corv Rask,
took Rask's pass and slid it by a fully
extended Josh Blackburn on the stick
side for the 3-2 go-ahead, shorthanded
goal.
Two goals and 14:30 later, the
Alaska-Fairbanks bench began slam-
ming their sticks on the boards, a scat-
tered collection of anticipation-fueled
whacks.
Call it unintended mockery.
The Michigan hockey team was
unable to slam the door on the second
night of a series for the second straight
week, succumbing to Alaska-Fairbanks
5-2 a week after falling to Ferris State,
5-4. Much like last week, the
Wolverines toved with their opponent
on Friday night, then appeared to lose
their killer instinct in the rematch.
"Obviously, we'd be in better shape
if we'd won the games we should will,
particularly at home," Michigan coach
Red Berenson said. "You've got to wilt
games like this but you have to play
those games and you never know.
Teams in this league, and I've said it so
manv times, anvbody can beat you.
Michigan has had problems putting
io i k IAeitand a sith leser records
ini thte eekends' secontd gamte. OttGet.
22, the Wolverines scraped by Bowling
Green 4-3 in their second meeting, nd
on Oct. 28 thev knocked off Miami 6-2
in a closer-than-the-score-indicates
NANOOKS
Continued from Page 1B
"We scored some power play goals
(Friday) night and our penalty killers
looked good - tonight, it cost us ithe
game, "Berenson said.
On Friday night, Michigan"s special
teams clicked to the tune o fthree power
play tallies and a shorthanded goal by
Geoff Koch. The sophomore class
shined in not ching six of the eight goals,
including twoeaca ciby Jed Ortmever,
Mike Cammalleri and John Sounevia.
But Berenson said it "wasn't an 8-0
game;" and a double-minor penalty on
Alaska-Fairbanks defenseman Efren
Larranaga at 14:31 of the second period
was the turning point that broke the
rematch. Jay Vancik netted the game-
wimner 8:50 into the third period
against Miami, then Michigan added
air tosurance goal and got two empty-
netters at the end.
"We're trying to figure out what's
going on." Koch said. "Last weekend
against Ferris we came out strong
Friday night, then whether it's a let-
down or we're not putting the goals it,
it's something we need to address."
Several times Saturday night a
Michigan player parked himself in
front of Nanooks goalie Preston
McKay, got the rebound, then watched
the puck bounce over his stick.
But part of Michigan's second-night
struggle revolves around inconsistent
play on special teams. Percentage-
wise, Michigan has performed worse
on the power play in every second-
night game against CCHA opponents
this season. Giving up three shorthand-
ed goals in two weeks does not help
matters:.
"'Lonight it hurt us, especially the
shorthanded goal - it definitely
deflates a team and gives the other
team a lot of energy, defenseman
Mike Komisarek said.
Not counting Ryan Reinheller's
empty-netter, two of Alaska-Fairbanks'
three shots on goal in the third period
were goals -- results of odd-man rush-
"There's a little lack of respect on
our team thinking that an 8-0 game is
coing to translate into an easy game
(the next night) "and it never does, it
never does," Berenson said.
gates wide open - Michigan scored six
more goals while outshooting the
Nanooks 28-3 in the last 25 minutes.
Adding to the disappointment, assis-
tant captain Dave Huntzicker (MCL in
left knee) and Dave Wyzgowski
(sprained ankle) went down with
injuries. Huntzicker will miss six to
eigit weeks.
But Berenson said that even though he
felt his team played as well in Saturday
ight's loss as in the 8-0 victory tire night
before, these unexpected turnaround
losses happen sometimes.
"I alwavs sav, we're not that much bet-
ter than anyone else, Berenson said.
"And on a given night, we may not be
any better, depending on the bounce of
the puck."
ichigan's 12-point victory
made my third (and hopeful-
y final) trip to Columbus
this weekend bearable.
The ongoing renovation made the
Horseshoe glisten compared to years
past, even with unsightly cranes.
However, thanks to the construction,
an unprecedented 98,000 miserable
fans can now watch their Buckeyes
lose to Michigan, compared to the
privileged 93,000 who saw the home
team get dominated a few years ago.
But to Ohio State's credit, its fans
are undoubtedly the most passionate
in the Big Ten.
Red apparel was omnipresent, and
the tightly-packed stadium facilitates
a more rambunctious environment.
Screaming alumni are commonplace,
unlike the Big House where the
Michigan faithful's mouths only open
to devour t hot dog.
They tailgate early in Columbus, as
campers and trailers creep up to the
Horseshoe the night before the game.
Students were tamer than I thought
they would be the night before their
team's most meaningful game of the
season. Columbus city police, who
patrolled High Street all night, left
would-be troublemaking students
harmless, keeping me and my car
(with its Michigan license plate) safe.
As for the diehards - one couple
decided to pass on a babysitter, and
instead chose to dress their newborn
in red from head to toe and bring him
outside for four hours to the Shoe.
They convinced themselves it would
be worth sacrificing their baby in the
10 degree wind-chill so long as the
Buckeyes prevail.
Before the game, a scarlet-and-gray
maniac triumphantly raised a bloody
and decapitated Michigan dummy.
It's a game kids, let's not promote
massomurder.
BELLISARI ROOING: After he threw
his third interception, fans booed
quarterback Steve Bellisari when he
came back onto the field.
The criticism "is real difficult,
Bellisari said. "It's better when you
have people behind you. The crowd
got eventually got back into its"
I know Bellisari can't really throw a
pass, butin the Michigan-Ohio State
game, don't you think you should
support your quarterback?
Bellisari recovered and led the
Buckeyes to two touchdown drives.
Still, it doesn't look good when
you're booing your own team in the
season's biggest game.
The fins also cheered when Ohio
State's Mike Doss knocked out
Jeremy Miller, just one week after
Doss knocked out Kurt Kittner with a
concussion in Ohio State's will over
Illinois.
Hmmn, do you sense a pattern?
CRAZY CHEERLEADER: Senior Dai
Stultz needs a dose of Ritalin. The
kicker/punter hit a 37-yard field goal
to trim Michigan's lead to 14-12 and
then jumped around the field ,madly
waving his ars as if his kick gave
the Buckeyes the lead or even gave
them the victory.
Stultz must have ignored the score-
board, which displayed that not only
was his team still losing, but that there
were also three more quarters to play.
Just as shortsighted as their hero,
Ohio State fans cheered loudly for the
kicker, who minutes earlier shanked
an extra point wide left.
No SCOREBOREDUM: Ohio State's
scoreboard - complete with two
screens, one Jumbotron, and one
wide-view screen - had some of the
zaniest graphics in college football.
Ohio State fans are treated to excit-
ing messages from Pikachu,
PoweruffGirls and MTV's Darla, all
encouraging the team on.
To announce third down plays, a
graphic shows a guy slamming three
shots. Isn't that over the legal limit'?
Finally, the Department of Math
and Sciences put up an academic
question. For example:
"If Dan Stultz makes 90 percent of
his PAT's and he has made four PAT's
today, what is the chance he'll make
his next PAT?"
The question must have confused
Ohio State running back Derek
Combs to the extent that he ran into
wide receiver Ken-Yon Rambo and
fell down. Combs was not alone in his
confusion. Fellow Ohio State scholars
rushed out of the game thinking
Monday morning's upper-level sath
classes had already begun.
Ohio State ray want to try a sim-
pler question, like how many times
has John Cooper beaten Michigan?
Students can count that on one hand.
- Mark Froancescutti rill nerm' be
ac//o e 'ack into the Buckeye State.
He can Iereachedc a little frther
nouth at -francesitmch'I eti.
..and taps it past the goal line. Mayes looks over in disbelief: It is Michigan's
fourth tap-in goal of the game.
Michigan 8, UAF 0
Alaska-Fairtanks 0 0 0 - 0
Michigan 2 2 4-8
Fst peiod -t1. UM. Shouneyia 4 (Hilbert, Mink), 9:41
(PP). 2. UM, Cammaleri 4 (Hilbert, Koch), 17:44.
Penalties-UAF, Tiemstraa(obstructio 1ho.g),9:26;
UM, miso(uhingSr 14:12: UM.,5Busi(osrucin
hoo 108:36 ;UF,cariere(i stikng),19:32.
Second pedod-3. UM, Shouneyia 5 (Mink, Hilbert),
16:14(PP).4. U0MKautz Trai Backburn).1 9:31
Pesldes- UM, Frasr (tl t ionhk 0n) :07;
UM Kosick(trpping),12:07;UAFE.Larranaga(hgh
asticig. 04: AsF. E.Lrtnaa a ing),104:31;
UM, Burs(rouSing),t19:33;UAF, itirta(rtuh
in 4 ),r3 : n ,
Thidpeio -5. UM, Koch 3(Matzka),2:56(SH 6.
UM,C ammalteri5 (Hilbert, Vancik) 4:407. UM ,
Ottmeyer 4(Kosick,ti ison),10:01.8.UMOrtmeye m5
(Langfeid,Kosick), 16:25 (PP) PenaIies- UM,
Roemensky (slashing), 2:23; UAF, Tiemstra (checking
frombehind), 6:21;UAF,Long(slashing),15:02;UAF,E .
Larranaga (highsticking). 15:32; UM, Murray (roughing
afterwhistle),17:22;UAF,Grosul(rougngafter whis
tle), 17:22.
Shots on gW l- UM, 199-23 - 51; UAF, 9-113 - 23
PowerPla-UM,0f07;UAF,0of5
Saves-UM,Blackbum9-11-3-23;UAF,Mayes17-
7-3 - 27; McKay 016 -16.
Raeeree-Brian Aaron.
Linesmen -craigStaskowskitsBruceVida.
At Yost ice Arena. Attendace:6.531
UAF 5, Michigan 2
Alaska-Fairbanks 1 1 3 -5
Michigan 1 1 0 0-2
Firs peiod-1. UAF, Herman (unassisted), :26 (EN
2. UM, Hilbert 6 (Cammalleri, Jison), 1:35 (PPi 3.
UAF, Ke0th 2 (Babitz, Lawrence 16:42. Pena es-
s.AC, ORinhellerIstmucti orokioul. :26; SM, Trainr
(chckn K m behind)i, 0:00: SM. Bucnesslsing),~
7:42; UAF. Andrews (obstruction-hooking 9:25; UAF.
-Herman (stasthing), 00:00.
Second pe 9-.U. Ortmeyer6(Burnes).16:46
(PP) Penalties-UM,Bumes(highstickingafterwhis-
tie),a2:53;UAF,Long(unsportsmanlikeconduct),2:53;
UM, Vancik (tripping), 4:34; UAF;Campbell (slashing),
13:14: UAF, Reinheler (roughing), 14:02; UAF, Farrell
(high sticking), 16:08: UM, Matzka (interference),
17:03;UMVancik (boarding),19:15.
Third peiod - 5. UAF, carriere 4 (Herman), 5:12 (SH.
6. UAF, Andrews 2 (Lawrence, carriere), 8:51. 7.CUAF,
Reinheller3(unassisted).19:51(EN)Penalties-UAF,
Tiemstra (high-sticking), 3:56; UM, Jison (trpping,
8:13:UAF,Tiemstra(checkingfrombehind),16:26.
shotson goat- UM, 12.8-15-35; UAF, 84 -18.
Power Plays - UM, 2 of 8; UAF,1 of 6.
Saves-UM,mBlackbum751-13; UAF,McKay 007-
15-33
Referee - Brian Aaron
Lhsmen -craig Staskowski, Bruceida
At:YostIceArena.Attendance:6,339
Celebration ensues. Michigan leads the game 5-0 and goes
Nanooks 8-0 before losing 5-2 on Saturday night.
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