4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - January 22, 2001
Shouts from the point FRIDAY'S GAME SATURDAY'S GAME Key play
"Maybe he didn't see me." Michigan 4 Saturday, 1:11 left in third
Michgan ichian 4With Michigan down 4-3 and pressing for a
- Western Michigan captain David Gove, attempting to tying goal, senior center Mark Kosick
explain what compelled Michigan's Jed Ortmeyer to cross- Western Michigan 1 Western Michigan 4 (OT) picked up a loose puck and fired it past a
check Gove face-first into the boards on Saturday. sprawling Jeff Reynaert to complete a
miraculous comeback for the Wolverines.
THE DAILY'S STARS
The Michigan Daily hockey writers'
picks for Michigan's three stars of the
weekend.
MIKE CAMMALLERI
CENTER
The sophomore keyed a third period
comeback in Saturday's game with two
goals.
ANDY HILBERT
RIGHT WING
Hilbert extended his scoring streak to
14 games with two goals in Friday's 5-
1 win and had an assist on Saturday
night.
MARK KosIcK
CENTER
The senior tied Saturday night's game
with 1:11 left in the third period. It was
Kosick's first goal in nine games.
'M' SCHEDULE
This week:
Tuesday vs. Notre Dame, Saturday vs.
Michigan State
Tuesday: at Yost Ice Arena, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday: at Joe Louis Arena (Detroit),
7:35 p.m.
Michigan gets its first look at the
Fighting Irish in a midweek affair and
then takes on No. 1 Michigan State
in a much-anticipated rematch at Joe
Louis Arena.
HoW THEY FARED
No. 2 Michigan State (18-14) def.
Miami 1-0, def. Miami 5-0.
No. 2 Boston College (15.5-1) lost to
Merrimack 6-3, beat Providence 4-0,
beat Providence 4-2
No. 3 North Dakota (15-5.4) tied MSU-
Mankato 3-3, beat MSU-Mankato 5-1.
No. 4 St. Cloud (17-41) def. Brown 4-2,
def. Brown 5-4.
No. 5 New Hampshire (15-45) def.
Northeastern 4-1, lost to Northeastern
5-3
No.6 Colorado College (16-.1) def. Denver
No. 7 Western Michigan (1643) lost to
Michigan 5-1, tied Michigan 4-4.
No. 8 Minnesota (15-6-2) lost to
Wisconsin 4-2, def. Wisconsin 8-2.
No. 9 Michigan (16-6-3) def. Western
Michigan 5-1, tied Western Michigan 4-4.
No. 10 Providence (13-5.3) lost to
Boston College 4-0, lost tosBoston
College 4-2.
FRIDAY'S GAME
Bizarre twists mark I-94 Series
Friday night's game highlighted by oddities and strange occurrences
By Jon Schwartz
Daily Sports Writer
KALAMAZOO - Unbeknownst
to them, the Michigan and Western
Michigan hockey teams escaped the
realms of reality this past Friday
night and played their game in
Bizarro Yost.
And just when it seemed like there
had been enough strange occurrences
to last for the entire season, another
found a way to manifest itself.
When the Michigan line charts
were distributed before Friday's
game, Mark Kosick and Dave
Huntzicker's names were back.
Kosick had been benched for three
games after struggling through the
first half of the season. Huntzicker,
one of Michigan's assistant captains,
was returning after injuring his MCL
on Nov. 17 against Alaska-Fairbanks.
While the presence of those two
names in the lineup wasn't all that
surprising, as the coaching staff had
mentioned that both were possibili-
ties to play in the game, the No. 1
goalie on the sheet was.
Instead of Josh Blackburn,
Michigan's usual starter, the chart
listed senior L.J. Scarpace, a former
goalie on the Western Michigan team,
as Friday's starter.
Blackburn was in goal to start the
game.
To add to the confusion in the
lines, Michigan's starters on defense
were called over the public address
system before the game as Jeff Jillson
and Huntzicker.
For the opening faceoff, Jillson
took the ice with freshman Mike
Komisarek, his linemate since early
November.
"That was a mistake" Michigan
coach Red Berenson said. "The
starters made a mistake on that, but
he wasn't going to start the game.
Maybe that was a sentimental mis-
take.
The PA system was in the spot-
light again as the game proceeded.
Throughout the first two periods, the
speakers were giving off a muffled,
almost inaudible sound reminiscent
of the tone made when talking
through a styrofoam cup.
But, at 7:17 of the third, during the
announcement of a Michigan goal,
the speakers suddenly started work-
ing, startling the fans and the
announcer himself.
"Let's try that again' he joked
before starting the announcement
from the beginning.
e The goal that was being
announced when the system kicked
in was about as rare and unusual as
the rest of the night's events.
Trying to clear the puck on a penal-
ty kill, defenseman Mike Roemensky
fired it down the ice to the left side of
the goal. In an attempt to stop the
puck, which was a good five feet
away from the net, junior goalie Jeff
Reynaert put his stick to the ice.
Miraculously, the puck deflected
off the stick and sailed into the net,
sending the Michigan fans into a con-
fused frenzy.
But no one was more surprised
than Roemensky, who didn't even see
his first goal of the season find the
twine.
"I was asking people how it went in
because I just made a line change,"
Roemensky said. "It's kind of weird.
It's a goal. I'll take it wherever I can
get it. It's a lucky goal at best."
JEFF HURViTZ/Daily
Seen here, "Puckgidr" is part of the new-look Western Michigan hockey program.
She throws out souvenir pucks to the wildest fans at Lawson Ice Arena.
Upstart Broncos
return from ashes*
Michigan 5, Western Mlchigm| I
wMhgan
1 2 2-5
1 0 d-1
firs peiod- 1, WMU, Daa Latery 7 (Cove. Cousieau)
403 (p); 2, UM, Jeff Jilson 7 (Murray) 13:43. Penbes -
WMU,Pasko(roughng), 130;UM, Koch (trippirg) 2:11;
UM,.Ht"zicer (intererence, 313; WMU, Cousineau
(elowing), 927; UiM, Ortmeyer (intrference), 11:15;
WMU, cousneau (hooking), 13:14:;UM,Cammaleri(inter-
ference),13 14M, Gsof (cosschecking), 15:26;
WMU, Mils (interee), 17:07.
Seensudpedod-3. UM,Hbert 18 (KochCammalleri),
20:4, Hibert 19 ((Cammalien. ilson). 16:00 (pp). Penll
-- WMU, Townsend (hootiung), 5:51; tUM, Jilson (sahin),
9:45 WMU, cousneau(slashing) 11:57; UM.Burnes
(roughing), 1406; WMU, Gove (roughing), 1406; WMU,
cousineau (h ghsckig), 14:50: WMU, Bshai (delay).
1707. UM,Shouneyia(delay), 17:07; UM, Burnes(slash-
ig), 19:52.
Ted pemd-5,UMmM7(houeyia, rtmeyer) 3:39
(pp); 6, UiM, Roemnensy 1 (Ortmeyer) 7:17 (sh). Penaftes
-- UM, Matma (holding), 1:18; WMU, .attery(tripping).
1:47; WMU. Cousineau (unsp rtsmalike conduct), 1:47:
UM, Koch (crosschecking).6:10; UM, tangfeld (checking
from behind), 9:35; UiM, Matzia (slhtig), 1352; UM
Matzka (roghrg).13:52; WMU, Arght, (slashing), 1352;
UM.Gassoff (hooking), 18:24; WMURumble (roughing).
18:24.
Shotsaon goal - UM,151613 - 44;WMU.11-7.5 -23.
PowerPlays-UM,2of8;WMU. 1of 10.
Sas-UM, Blackburn 107-5-22; WMU, Reynaert 14-
14-11-39.
teeree - Brent Rtherford.
Lk esmen - Bruce vida, KenLtandis.
At Yost Ice Arena.Attelndance: 6.596.
SATURDAY'S GAME
Michigan 4, Westem Michigan 4
Michigan 0 1 3 0 -4
WMU 2 1 1 0 -4
Fed p" -1.WMU, Uwies2(me, Cran),2:192 WMU,
Ge 19 (Rymshacar"),1127(p. PenIft - WMU,
Ggon (cros ctnclurg), 6:41; UM, TEAM (too rtry on ie),
11, UM, Mink (srg). 1246& UM, Romsly (l*d),
1$56; WMU Rymsh a(sasirg,1856;UM, Ortmyer(check-
1943: UM, Kmsek (10 - m iue m i t),19.43; WMU,
Pasko (10minte misxondct),19A3.
Seordperid - 3, WMUrae2 (Batgia),83 (sh); 4.
Ke trqiing),721; WMUi.Kine(hxokrlg), 12:1IZWMU,
Akrght (slashg),13:46;UM, Gassoff (holdirg),16:41; WMU,
Ca rel (rotghirg),18:39: UM,Blackburn(ra.ghirg). 18:39.
Ti*lperiod - 5,WMU,Gove20(RymerCabell),83
(p): 6. UM. Carmrrier 14 (Kcr xwe, Jllso),125 (pp); 7.
UMCarrnei 15(Mk t 17:02; 8 UM, Ksick 6
(Jllson Matzka) 1849Pedltis-UM, AJilson (kneeirg), 5:16;
UM. Gssoff tno-g).7:30; tM, Htirt(10- rnntemisxr
dcitd). &0: WMUD(es (h ig), 9~33 UM, Gesoff(cross
- none. Paes -WMU, Mills (10- mate nt
cit) 5.
"snga-UM, 11-124- 3: WMU, 612-52-25.
PowMs-UM,2of5:WMU,2of7.
Saes-UM. Btackbun4-1142-21; WMU, Reynaert118-
- BrianAaron.
(nsmen- KenLanis Pat Bracco.
At LawsoniArea rndaxrer 4,347.
PAIRWISE RANKINGS
Jan. 17 standings www.uscho.com
Team RPI PWR
1. Michigan State 0.6340 33
2. Boston College 0.6031 32
3. North Dakota 0.6000 31
By Joe Smith
Daily Sports Writer
KALAMAZOO - Just when
Western Michigan felt like it was
going to get over the hump and beat
Michigan for the first time in 13
games, it let it slip away.
"I think its a growing experience
for a young hockey team," said
Western Michigan coach Jim
Culhane after watching the Broncos'
three-goal lead rapidly evaporate in
the final eight minutes of regulation.
"We need to learn how, to win these
types of games and play in these
types of environments.
While the Broncos have surprised
the nation in their resurgence to
national prominence from the CCHA
cellar, the simple fact remains that
Western Michigan craves to be men-
tioned in the same breath as
Michigan and Michigan State.
But the Broncos combined 2-18-6
record against both CCHA power-
houses since 1995 proves to be the
final obstacle to overcome in a
tumultuous rebuilding of the pro-
gram.
Just two years ago, the Broncos
faced backlashes from hazing allega-
tions, a coaching change and one of
the longest losing streaks in college
hockey - definitely a black eye for
a program that came within a point
of the CCHA title the year before.
"It was tough times for us," said
senior captain David Gove, who feels
his senior class has "been through
more than any other class in college
hockey.
"We've been on the losing end so
many times that it motivates us not to
ever want to be there again."
The seniors have watched
Culhane, the former Bronco defense-.
man, instill a "family" atmosphere
around the rink.
"I think it's a tremendous glue and
bond," said Culhane of the entire
coaching staff made up of recent
Western Michigan players and grad-
uates.
"The players realize we're very
passionate and loyal to the
University, and we know what it
means to play for Western."
Along with promising a run-and-
'95
'96
'97
'98
.99
'00
21
10
9
5
10
9
6
12
19
17
5
4
3
5
2
8
3
4
45
25
20
18
23
24
JEFF HURVITZ/DUay
Mike Cammalleri and the Wolverines knocked Western Michigan down a few notches by taking three out of four points.
Back from the cellar
The Western Michigan hockey pro-
gram has been on a roller-coaster
ride in the past five seasons.
Here's how the Broncos have fared
in the CCHA race over that period. j
Year W L T
Pts. Place
3rd
5th
9th
10th
9th
3rd
COMEBACK
Continued from Page 1B
might just have been the most crucial, character-building
hockey Michigan has played in a wild-and-wooly, anything-
goes season.
With 8:45 left in the period, Cammalleri slid a power-play
goal past Western Michigan's Jeff Reynaert to cut the
Broncos' lead to 4-2. It was akin to throwing a bucket of
water on a forest fire, for Western had swarmed Michigan
goalie Josh Blackburn all night. A Bob Gassoff penalty for
cross-checking a little over two minutes later looked like a
left jab setting up for a right-cross knockout punch, courtesy
of the Western power play that had victimized the Wolverines
twice that night.
But Michigan killed the penalty convincingly, and pro-
ceeded to dominate the Western zone - to frustratingly no
avail - until Cammalleri struck again with a little under
three minutes left. Hearts started to flutter.
"That's some of the funnest times," Mark Kosick said,
"when you get a comeback going and everybody's really into
it."
That said, Kosick might have had the most fun of all, cap-
ping a momentous, rollicking rally with the equalizer with
just 1:11 left in regulation.
It was an amazing, awe-inspiring display of determination
- a toe-to-toe stare down of adversity in a season full of
such confrontations, against such foes as a consistently
banged-up defense and a habit of inconsistent showings
against lesser teams.
Most notably, the Wolverines were not relieved at the end
of the overtime period - they were disconsolate.
Many players said little, and some refused comment alto-
gether. Three out of four points were achieved against its sec-
ond-place equal in the CCHA, and Michigan treated the out-
come like a playoff loss.
"We expect to win," Cammalleri said afterward. "We did-
n't come in here expecting to tie, that's why there aren't too
many smiles right now."
For his part, coach Red Berenson appeared pleased -
possibly because of his team's character - a fierce attitude
both during and after the game.
"A lot of things were against our team tonight," he said.
"But we didn't quit and we battled back - it was a great tie."
(after 17 games)
gun offensive style of play, Culhane's
tie to the university is also the spe-
cial leverage that he uses in an
attempt to steal highly-talented
recruits - that make the Michigan
and Michigan State coaching staffs'
mouths water.
"We want kids that know puck
pursuit, forechecking and that ca
skate," Culhane said. "While also w
want the kids also to take tremen-
dous pride in the university and the
hockey program."
The Broncos attitude and new-
found success seem to be contagious
and have spread throughout campus.
The past two weekends have featured
standing-room only crowds of about
4,250 - the largest since 1995 -
with dozens students waiting out in
the cold trying to scam their way in.
"Its great to see the communitg
and campus getting behind us," Gove
said. "They've been waiting for a
long time. It's really exciting out
here in Kalamazoo."
The crowd couldn't energize the.
Broncos enough on Saturday night,
which put a damper in the feelings of
the players who know that they're in
it for the long haul - emotion can
only take you so far.
"It just slipped away," center Mike
Bishai said in the lockerroom corri-
dor after the tie.
"Those kind of things can't hap-
pen if we're- going to be at the top of
the league and going for a champi-
onship."
Furious comeback quiets Lawson crowd
BRONCOS
Continued from Page 11B
Blackburn at the 11:27 mark of the first.
Just when it looked like things could-
n't get worse for Michigan, they did.
With 16 seconds left in the first, Jed
Ortmeyer picked up a five-minute
major penalty and a game misconduct
for checking Gove into the boards from
behind.
But, at a time when a goal might have
put the game away, the Wolverines
respondedby killing off the penalty.
"That was a huge kill," defenseman
Jeff Jillson said. "That was a big turning
point in the game. To shut those guys
down for five minutes, and then some,
really built our emotions up"
After Gove scored his second goal to
make the score 4-1, Michigan's Mike
Cammalleri lit a fire under his team.
While Andy Hilbert served a ten-
minute misconduct for arguing with the
referee, Cammalleri scored twice, at
11:15 and again at 17:02, to cut the
deficit to 4-3.
Then, with Michigan swarming for a
tying goal, Kosick - who scored for
the first time in nine games - poked a
loose puck past a sprawling Reynaert to
even the score at four. As Reynaert lay
prostrate on the ice and a stunned crox@
looked on, the Wolverines celebrated..
"Obviously, when you're up by three
goals, you should come out with two
points and not one," Western Michigan
coach Jim Culhane said. "But, we let
one slip away."
Friday night's game was not nearly as
dramatic. As was the case Saturday,
Western Michigan jumped out to an
early 1-0 lead.
But, Michigan didn't allow the
Broncos any more breathing room -
the Wolverines scored five unanswered
goals and outshot Western Michigan
44-23 en route to an easy win.
I
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