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. ,I I .1 aend smart mart I m r j e'U vr:. ' ~' ea i occaay Holiday delivery guaranteed if ordered by 11/23/00 North Commons b Bookstorey Nov. 20, 21 * 11 am to 3 pm " Hair "*Nails - Sody Waxing * Faciale " Macsage -body Therapy 206 S. Fifth Avenue 996-5585 I