48 - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - February 19, 2001
Shouts from the point
"They gct some breaks. I meah that's the
story of cny four years playing that team."
Michigim senior assistant captain Slott Matzka after
losing 4-2 to Michigan State on Saturday. Matzka's. senior
class hold:t a 4-9-2 career record against the Spartans.
FRIDAY'S GAME
Notre Dame 4
Michigan 4 (OT)
SATURDAY'S GAME
Michigan State 4
Michigan 2
Key play
Saturday, 3:38 of third period.
With Michigan State holding on to a 2-1 lead,
Ryan Miller robbed Michigan's Andy Hilbert of
a potential game-tying chance when he snagged
Hilberts one-timer on a feed by Scott Matzka.
w
THE DAILY'S STAR.S
The Michigan Daily hockey writers'
picks for Michigan's three stars of te
weekend.
OSH LANGFELD
RIGHT WING
Langfeld enjoyed a stellar senior night
by scoring two goals against Notre
Dame and creating several opportuni-
ties before going down with an injury
against Michigan State.
EF JILLSON
DESEN
Jilson played well offensively in notch-
ing three points, including two power-
play goals on Friday night.
losH BLACKBURN
GOALTENDER
In steering aside many quality Notre
Dame chances Friday night, Blackburn
helped Michigan salvage a tie.
'M' SCHEDULE
This week:
Thursday vs. Lake Superior,
Saturday vs. Lake Superior
Thrsday: at "Taffy" Abel Aena, 705 p.m.
Saturday: at Joe Louis Arena, 7:35 p.m.
The first time the Wolverines faced
the Lakers, Michigan goalie Josh
Blackburn recorded two shutouts.
This time, Michigan heads to the
Upper Penninsula and then the
Lakers bizzarely host a game at
"The Joe."
HOW THEY FARED
No. I Michigan State (24-3-4) lost to
Western Mich. 2-4; def. Michigan 4-2.
No. 2 Boston Colleg (21-7-1) def. New
Boston U. 5-3;:def.New Hampshire 3-2;
lost to New Hampshire, 2-0.
No. 3 North Dakota (20-5-7) tied
Denver 3-3; def. Denver 3-0.
No. 4 Minnesota (22-7-2) def. Colorado
College 6-1; def. Colorado College 4-1.
No. 5 Michigan (21.84) tied Notre Dame 4-
4; lost to Michigan State 4-2.
No. 6 Colorado Col. (20-71) lost to
Minnesota 6-1 lost to Minnesota 4-1.
No. 7 St. Cloud (22-7-1) lost to
Wisconsin 3-2; def. Wisconsin 5-1.
No. 8 New Hampshire (18.86) lost to Boston
College 3-2; def. Boston College, 20.
No. 9 Providence (1634) def. Boston
University 4-3; tied Boston Universityn5-5.
No. 10 Wisconsin (15-114) def. St.
Cloud 3-2; lost to St. Cloud 5-1.
FRIDAY'S GAME
Mchiga 4, Notre Dane 4(0)
Notre Dame x 1 °2 0 4
Michigan 0 4 0 0 4
Frst pedod-L1.UND, Gbke15 (Lebda. Inman), 7:12 (pp).
Pena ds-UM,Vancik(obstructionsashig),6:21;UMD,.
Nielsen (ostnuctiontiookig). 10:58: UM, Cmaeri
(hookig), 14:38; UN, Gavin (hokir), 16.
Secod pediod -2. UM, Jilson 9 (Cammallei, Hilbert),
2:490(0);3. UM agfeld 12 (Maka, Roemesiy), 8:42;
4. UM, Jillson 10 (Shounyia, Mink), 1324 (p); 5. N.
Nielsen 2 (dder),15:22; 6. UM, Largfeld 13 (Camma lei,
Hbert), 17:34.
Penddes - UND, Clark(interference), 2:34;UND,
Komadoski(roughig after whistle) 2-43;UM, Murray
(rosghr afterwhistie). 2:43:UM. Cie W (4stUctlfl
hooing), 3:02 UM, Gff(roghrg afterwhiste), 10:1;
UND, Van Akele(roughig after whistle),10:18; UND, clack
(dstructionnppeng).13:02; UN, Nelsen (crosschecking),
13:13; UND, Nielsen (obstn cti n~nipW), 16:59.
Thkd plod -7.UN)D, Inman 9 (Calson, Globke), 6:32
(p) 8. UN, Lba 6 (Doder, ODnlp)' 10:43 (sh).
Pakim- UM, Bushes(obstn r ookir.2:15: UM.
Matzka (interference). 5:28; UND, nman (boardirg)10:06;
UND, Clak (crosscheckir), 1203.
Ouths- roso. PaiU - UM, Camalleri(roug
irg 907; UND, Gbke (roghIg), L07.
Sh*aon god - UNs- 77-102- 26; UM -243-44.
"P~aya-UND 2of 5;UM 3of 8.
Penee:UN!D11(22min);UM8(16mn)
Save-UND, Zasoski &2093-40; UM. Backbum 6-
682-22.
Reeree-BnanAaron.
Liansn - Ken Lads Chis Dais
At: Yost IceArena AbwKW ncs6,459.
SATURDAY'S GAME
Michigan St. 4, Michigan 2
Injury could cut Langeld's career short
Senior may be out four weeks; special teams continue to struggle
0-
By Joe Smith
Daily Sports Editor
DETROIT - It was ;n ordinary hustle play
turned into disaster.
Michigan senior forward Josh Langfeld has
been labeled by his teammates and coaches as
the "best forward on the ice" for the Wolverines
over the past few weeks, partly due to the fact
he's been realizing his days
are numbered in to HOCKEY
Michigan uniform.
After scoring two goals Notebook
on Friday night on "Senior
Night," his last regular-season game at Yost Ice
Arena, Langfeld has tallied five points in his last
v9even games while making several hustle plays
that has opened up opportunities for teammates.
But now his college career could be cut short,
a little prematurely.
Late in the second period of a tied game on
Saturday, Langfeld noticed a loose puck in front
of the Michigan State net - and his eyes
widened.
As he raced for the scoring chance, he got
his feet tangled up with Michigan State for-
ward Adam Hall, then falling backwards on
thePt~e in obvious discomfort. Langfeld tried
to get up a few times, but he couldn't put any
pressure on his right leg, and had to be car-
ried off the ice by fellow seniors Bill Trainor
and Dave Huntzicker.
Michigan coach Red Berenson said after the
game that he has a badly-bruised right knee and
may be out two to four weeks.
While that may be an optimistic prognosis,
the Wolverines are deep into the stretch run,
with the CCHA playoffs two weeks away and
the NCAA Regionals four weeks down the road,
making the loss of Langfeld hurt that much
nMore.
'Since Jed Ortmeyer is already out for the sea-
son with a torn ACL, the Wolverines will be
without two of its top seven forwards.
"It's a huge loss for is," said senior assis-
tant captain Scott Matzka, who is one of
Langfeld's best friends% on the team. "He's
had a great run, and is playing his best hock-
ey of the year.
"Hopefully we can take (Langfeld's injury)
and gather around it, and try to win some games
for:Langer."
SPECIAL TEAMS: Michigan coach Red
Berenson always emphasizes winning the spe-
cial teams battle, and for the second straight
weekend he said not doing so was "the differ-
enc4 in the game."
C'the eight goals Michigan gave up, six of
thenj \vere in special teams situations. In both
Frid# and Saturday night's game, the
Wolverines gave up two powerplay goals and
one short-handed goal.
But more importantly, the two short-handed
goals haunted the Wolverines for the weekend
- as they ended up representing the game-tying
goal in the Notre Dame game and the game-
winning tally in the Michigan State game.
"You give up a shorthanded goal and it's
going to kill you almost every time," Matzka
said.
No SAFETY NET: When Michigan held a 4-
2 lead going into the third period Friday night,
the Wolverines must have felt pretty comfort-
able - maybe a little too much so. Notre
Dame's comeback to tie the game proved to be
the first time in 19 games this season that
Michigan has not won when it held a lead
going into the final period.
"We don't give up leads in the third period at
home," Berenson said. "It shouldn't happen."
MAIZED oUr: Saturday's game against
Michigan State at Joe Louis Arena marked the
second time Michigan has brought out the maize
jerseys from the closet, which may be a bad
omen. The only two times the Wolverines have
sported the maize over the usual blue or white
sweaters, they've lost - both times to Michigan
State. The last time Michigan wore maize was on
November 4th, when the Wolverines were shut
out by the Spartans, 1-0 at Yost Ice Arena.
0
BRAUQUINN/Daily
Fellow seniors Dave Huntzicker and Bill Tranior help an injured
Josh Langfeld off the ice. Langfeld could be out four weeks.
Third-period failure
lingers into Saturday
By Arun Gopal
Daily Sports Writer
DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily
The Wolverines couldn't seem to solve the Spartans' Ryan Miller on Saturday, as the focused goalie never took his eye off the puck.
SPA R'TANS
Continued from Page 11B
"Because of th e timing of it, yeah," the
assistant captain said. "We've lost some
games this seasoi that we would love to
have back and F we could; this game
wouldn't be such.a killer.
"It's been such a n up and down season
for us. At this poihtt, it's a huge loss."
The loss drops; Michigan six points
back of Michigan Mtate with three games
left for both teams: The Spartans would
have to drop their td ree remaining games
and lose by three goails in their final reg-
ular season meeting on March 1 for the
Wolverines to have a shot at the title.
"They're a good taun, they played well
and they scored the gcoals they needed to
score,' Michigan cach Red Berenson
said of the Spartans. "They didn't give us
much and we didn't earn much - they
were the better team cti the game"
Michigan State stuirted the scoring
with two minutes left.iin the first period
on a fluttering backhander by Andrew
Bogle from the left circle that eluded
goalie Josh Blackburn glove-side for the
lead going into the first intermission.
Blackburn appeared to be screened by
the Spartans' John Nail on the shot.
Craig Murray brought the Wolverines
back at the 4:26 mark of the second peri-
od, directing a rebound past Michigan
State's Ryan Miller for the powerplay
goal and a 1-1 score. Replays showed
Miller making the initial save on Murray's
shot, then defenseman Jon Insana knock-
ing the rebound in with his knee.
What followed was a period ofphysical,
fast-paced hockey before Michigan was
dealt two crucial blows at the period's end.
Forward Josh Langfeld got his right
knee caught underneath Michigan State
forward Adam Hall and slid into the left
corner of the offensive zone in intense
pain with under two minutes left in the
period. Langfeld sustained a bruise to his
knee and is out two to four weeks.
During the penalty, defenseman Jeff
Jillson took a roughing penalty. On the
ensuing powerplay, Hall tipped a Brian
Maloney pass by Blackburn stick side
for the 2-1 lead and momentum swing.
Four minutes and 15 seconds into
the third period, Hall and Maloney
struck again, this time on a shorthand-
ed 2-on-1. Blackburn stopped
Maloney's initial shot, but Hall
slammed the rebound into a wide-
open net for the 3-1 lead and the
clincher. Maloney added another goal
and Matzka scored with 41 seconds
left.
On Friday, Michigan held a two-goal
lead as late as six minutes into the third
period before Notre Dame's David Inman
and Brett Lebda scored to put Notre
Dame back on par at 4-4. Michigan fired
a bevy of chances on Notre Dame goalie
Tony Zasowski but to no avail.
DETROIT - Early in the third
period of Friday night's game against
Notre Dame, the Yost Arena public
address announcer spoke up.
"Ladies and gentlemen, a CCHA
score you'll be happy to hear," he
said. "A final from Kalamazoo -
Western Michigan 4, Michigan State
2."
Upon hearing that, the Michigan
faithful exploded. At the time,
Michigan State was five points
ahead of the Wolverines in the race
for the CCHA regular-season title. A
Spartans loss meant that Michigan
had an opportunity to make up some
ground.{
All the Wolverines had to do was
hold their 4-3 lead over the Fighting
Irish, a team situated at the bottom
of the CCHA standings.
That was when the unthinkable
happened.
It started at the 6:32 mark of the
third. On a powerplay, Notre Dame's
David Inman flipped a loose puck
past an out-of-position Josh
Blackburn to cut the lead to 4-3.
Then, the Fighting Irish shocked
the Yost crowd with a shorthanded
goal at 10:43. Ryan Dolder picked
up a loose puck in the defensive zone
and zoomed down the center of the
ice on a breakaway. Dolder's shot
was stopped, but Brett Lebda was
there to put in the rebound, tying the
game.
The game ended in a 4-4 deadlock.
Although the Wolverines gained one
point on Michigan State, they were
visibly disappointed at their inability
to close out a game they were in con-
trol of.
Fast-forward to Saturday night's
game at Joe Louis Arena against
those same Spartans. Faced with a
virtual must-win situation,
Michigan buckled. The Spartans
jumped on top of the Wolverines
SCHWARTZ
Continued from Page IB
makes such perfect sense.
Pressure was coming from every-
where - from coach Red
Berenson, from inside the players
themselves and from the banner
that hangs over center-ice at Yost
Ice Arena and reads "CCHA
Champions 2000."
It reached a crescendo at 7:35
p.m. on Saturday night when the
two intra-state rivals took the ice for
the faceoff. The Wolverines had two
choices - keep the race alive or
watch Michigan State win the title
chase. Essentially, what's the differ-
ence between second place and fifth
place? They both host first-round
playoff series.
"We've put a lot of pressure on
Self-destruction
What looked like a great situation
for Michigan went awry quickly.
Friday, 6:00 of third period:
Michigan leads Notre Dame 4-2,
Michigan State loss announced to
Yost crowd, Spartans' five-point
CCHA lead in jeopardy
Friday, 5:00 of overtime: Notre
Dame ties Michigan 4-4. The next
night, Michigan State defeats
Michigan 4-2, which virtually
clinches league title for Spartans.
early and established control of the
game..
In spite of that, Michigan was
only down 2-1 entering the third
period. But any thoughts the
Wolverines had of winning were
dashed - Michigan State scored
two goals in the first 10 minutes and
cruised to a 4-2 win.
Afterwards, one could only look at
Michigan's disappointing perfor-
mance and wonder if Friday night's
third-period collapse was still weigh-
ing on the Wolverines' minds.
"Last night's game may have hurt
us a lot more than we think, because
we lost some momentum in the third
period," Michigan assistant coach
Billy Powers said after Saturday's
loss.
"I thought if we could've had a
strong third and really come into this
game on a high with a win, it might
have made a bigger difference."
In defeat, the Wolverines attempt-
ed to downplay the significance of
winning the regular-season champi-
onship, but the frustration of losing
the crown to Michigan State was evi-
dent.
"The playoff champion is the one who
gets the automatic bid," to the NCAA
Tournament, forward J.J. Swistak said.
"The league champion, all it is is a pride
thing. But, it is a little disappointing."
ourselves," assistant coach Billy
Powers said. "We have goals and
one of them was to come in first
place.
"First place is no longer a goal.
We have the CCHA Championship
that we want to be in, we want to
play for the highest bid we can pos-
sibly get. There's a lot to play for
and a lot of hockey left in the sea-
son."
Pressure did this team in. Now it's-
going to have to rise to the chal-
lenge of the nation's elite teams.
Like Powers said, only one goal is
out of reach. There are still two
more - the CCHA Tournament and
the NCAAs. It's anybody's guess
how the Wolverines will react.
.
if
v1
Michigan St.
Michigan
1 1 2 4
0 1 1 2
First peod- 1. MSU, Bogie9(Patchell), 18:00.
Pnalties -MSU, Hall (roughig).9:57; MSU,.Nail (inter.
ference), 15:43; IM, Komisaek (high stickirg), 18:20.
Second pedod-2. UM, Murray 7 (Jillson, Shouneyia),
4:26 (pp); 3. MSU, Hall 14 (Maloney, tiles), 18.41(pp).
Penmes-MSU, Maloney (crosscheckirg),3:43; UM,
Vancik (holdirg), 7:11; MSU, Maloney (tppirg), 7:16; UM,
Jillson (roughirg), 1502; MSU, Patcheil (slashirg), 15:02;
UM; Jillson (roughirg),18:16.
Thild ped-4, MSU, Hall 15 (Maloney, Dolyny),4:15
(sh); 5. MSU Maoney 9 ([yny), 11:14 (pp); 6. UM,
Matka 8 (Kosick, Shouneyia), 19:39.
Penites - MSU, Patchell (checkig from behind), 3:19;
MSU, Nail (unsportsmanlike conduct), 5:42; UM,
Komisarek (unsportsmanlike conduct), 5:42; MSU,.
Patchell (roughirg), 5:42; UM,Vancik (roughirg), 5:42;
MSU, Patchell (roughing), 5:42;UM, Vancik (roughirg),
5:42; MSU, Dolyny (hookirg), 8:35; UM, Shouneyia (slah.
ing), 8:35; UM, Hilbert (hooki), 9:45; UM, Blackburn
(roughurg), 10:34; MSU. Insana (obstnuctiorionprg),
13:35: MSU, Goodenow (roghing), 17:26: UM, Matzksa
(roughirg), 17:26; MSU, Bogle (roughirg),18:02;UM,
Hilbert (chargirg), 19:17.
Shotsongo-MSU,912-10-31; UM,51-12-27.
PwPlys - MSU, 2of 5;UM 1of 7.
SaUes - MSU, Miller 5911 -25; UM, Blackburn811-8
-27.
Referee - Mark Wilkins.
Lhimmeun - Brue Vda, Patick Bracco.
At Joe Luis Arena Atte AN KNe:G19.95.
PArxIRWISE RANKINGS
Talk about this story and other
Michigan sports news at
michigandaily.com/forum.
I
Left in
Heading into the Fet+. 10-11 series with
Northern Michigan, IVchigan controlled
its destiny. Three poits behind
Michigan State with :;even games to
play - including two Eigainst the
Spartans - Michigan &essentially
needed to win out for ;the title.
Feb. 10: Michigan 3, Nmrthem
Michigan 1; Michigan SAte 4,
Alaska-Fairbanks 1.
Nothing changes as both teams
win.
Feb.11: Northern Michig i 2, Michigan
0; Michigan State 3, AlasA a-Fairbanks 0.
With the loss and the SpaI tans' win,
Michigan is five back, andtiro longer con-
trols its fate - it now neea's three
the dust
J
Michigan State losses rather than the two in the
remaining head-to-head matchups.
Friday night: Michigan 4, Notre Dame 4; Western
Michigan 4, Michigan State 2.
The Wolverines are back in control of their
destiny..
Saturday night: Michigan State
4, Michigan 2:
The Spartans clinch at least a
tie for the CCHA crown,
- and all but destroy
1~Michigan's. On to
the tournament.
BRENDA N
O'DONNELL/Daily
f.
, ;
: 'r
Jon Schwartz can be reached at
- jlsz@umich.edu
;.
i ;
_ i _____ _____________ _. _ _____ _
...
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Feb. 19 standings
from www.uscho.com
Team RPI
1. Michigan State 0.6247
r-
PWR
29
A'
.:P . CCHASTAND]LIN' S
CCHA ROUNDUP
CCHA LEADERS
REMAINING SCHEDULE'