4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - December 10, 2001 44 Slap shouts "When you have 5,000 fans in your home rink and one of the biggest games of the year in the league, and to come out and play like that, you don't deserve to be in the league." - Miami forward Jason Deskins after his team was swept by Michigan this weekend. FRIDAY'S GAME 9 Michigan 3 Miami 2 (OT) SATURDAY'S GAME Michigan 5 Miami 2 Key play Friday, :57 into overtime With the score tied 2-2, Mike Cammalleri received the puck at center ice and skated into the Miami zone for the game winning goal that would have been difficult for anyone to stop. 4 THE DAILY'S STARS The Michigan Daily hockey writers' picks for Michigan's three stars of the weekend. Mike Cammaleri Center Cammalleri scored the game-winning goal :57 into overtime to give Michigan the win in Friday night's game, and then followed up with two goals and an assist in Saturday's victory. Eric Nystrom Forward In addition to his two assists, Nystrom scored a shorthanded goal on Saturday night, and then added the game-winning goal early in the third period. Jed Ortmeyer orward Ortmeyer rounded out the brilliant per- formance of Michigan's first line, notch- ing three assists during Saturday's victory. 'M' SCHEDULE This week: Saturday vs. Harvard Yost Ice Arena, 7:35 p.m. After posting a 2-2 non-conference record thus ar with losses to Min- nesota and Minnesota-Duluth, the Wolverines need to extend their cur- rent five -game winning streak against Harvard. Wins in non-CCHA games will play a big part in the NCAA Tournament selection process. How THE TOP 10 FARED No. 1 St. Cloud (12-1-1) def. Colorado Col- lege 3-0, lost to Col. college 5-1 No. 2 Minnesota (11-1-3) def. Denver 2-1, lost to Denver 4-3 No. 3 Denver (11-1-0) lost to Minnesota 2-1, def. Minneso a 4-3 No. 4 New Hampshire (9-2-2) lost to Clark- son 8-5, def. St. Lawrence 5-4 No. 5 Michigan State (10-3-2) def. Northern Michigan 4-2, def. Northern Michigan 3-0 No. 6 Massachusetts-Lowell (10-2-0) def. St. Lawrence 4-0, def. Clarkson 3-2 No. 7 Boston University (831) def. U-Massa- chusetts-Amherst 5-2 No. 8 Northern Michigan (8-3-1) lost to Michigan State 4-2, lost to Michigan State 3-0 No. 9 Cornell (7-2-1) def. Niagara 2-1, def. No. 10 Nebraska-Omaha (9-5-2) lost to Alas- ka-Fairbanks 4-2, lost to Alaska-Fairbanks 3-1 FRIDAY'S GAME Michigan 3, Miami 2 OT Cammalleri' will is his strongest weapon By Seth Klempner Daily Sports Writer OXFORD - Nineteenth century German philosopher Friedrich Niet- zche believed that the "will to power" was the catalyst for human behavior and struggle. He believed'that people strive to become the master of their space and to extend their force over all that resists its extension. It is highly unlikely that Michigan junior Mike Cammalleri had Nietzche in mind when he stepped onto the HOCKEY ice for overtimeC Friday night Commenary against Miami. But the alternate captain perfectly exe- cuted the philosopher's principles on the "will to power," demonstrating why he is the top player in college hockey. Determined to end the game on his own terms, Cammalleri received a breakout pass from sophomore defenseman Andy Burnes at center ice and brought the puck up the ice with one Miami defenseman to beat. He curled towards the top of the cir- cle after crossing the Miami blue line and, using the helpless defenseman as a screen, released a sniper-like wrist shot that ripped into the net 57 seconds into overtime. It happened so quickly. that neither Miami goalie David Burleigh nor the Miami defender had any time to react. After the goal, the Michigan junior didn't jump around, but merely raised one arm in celebra- tion. He had done only what he expected to do - score the game-win- ning goal in dramatic fashion while making it look easy. "In overtime, I guess it is a matter of will," Cammalleri said after scoring his third game-winning goal in the past three games. "It comes down to having played three periods and one team wanting it more than the other." It seems that when you have that level of skill you not only get to pick your spots, but you are also able to execute in those spots. The goal did not come without help though. After the game, a modest Cammalleri gave credit for the since to former administrative assistant, Brian Wiseman. Prior to the game, Wiseman told Cammalleri to shoot high on Burleigh because he tends to lower his glove when he goes down. These performances have not been out of the ordinary for the Wolverines' top playmaker. At Ferris State last weekend, with the score tied at four and just over one minute to play in the third, Cammalleri pulled another game-winning goal out of his bag of tricks. "It is nice to see that the skilled players can score big goals," coach EMMA FOSDICK/Daily Mike Cammalleri and Jed Ortmeyer were instrumental in helping Josh Blackburn pick up a 5-2 win on Saturday night. Red Berenson said of Cammalleri's recent efforts. "Some guys score a lot of goals and some guys score clutch goals and Mike Cammalleri has been (doing both) for us. If we have a guy that is a clutch player right now it is Cammalleri." When asked if their was any way to stop the center, fellow junior John Shouneyia shook his head and smiled, adding that it is not a job he envies. Said Shouneyia: "He's definitely the best player in the league, there's no question about it. When he wants to, he can take the puck end to end and make something happen. When we need a goal, he makes something hap- pen. He can control the game. "I don't think you can shut him down really. Some players are just too good, and he's too good. (Shutting down) players like (him) ... good luck." Unfortunately for many of the Michigan hockey fans, plays like these haven't yet occurred at Yost Ice Arena. But with the majority of Michigan's remaining games are to be played at home, clutch goals may soon become a familiar site to the Yost faithful. REDHAWKS Continued from Page 1B Miami's failure to clear the zone. "No, there were no lingering affects (from Friday's loss), we have no excuses," said Miami captain Jason Deskins. "I don't know what to say, we came out and laid an egg. It showed in the second period, in our defensive zone coverage. We had no heart, no pride, no desire. When you have 5,000 fans in your home rink and one of the biggest games of the year in the league, and to come out and play like that you don't deserve to be in this league. We have no excuses, Michigan is a great hockey team, but obviously we are not as good as we think we are." Michigan controlled the entire first period of Saturday's game, firing 14 shots on Burleigh. Still, Miami kept Michigan off the scoreboard by blocking shots and forcing Michigan to shoot wide. But with less than a minute to play, John Shouneyia was able to slam home an Eric Nystrom rebound on a four-on-three powerplay. The goal was his sixth of the season and it extended the juniors' point streak to six games. The goal was Michigan's only powerplay tally of the week- end in four opportunities. The Wolverines came into the week- end with a .185 conversion rate on the powerplay. But the Wolverines were not as strong on the penalty kill, allowing two powerplay goals and a shorthanded goal on the weekend. Michigan didn't let up after the first intermission on Satur- day. With Mike Komisarek in the penalty box for high-sticking to begin the second period, Nystrom picked up a clearing pass that hit a linesman and skated the length of the ice before dek- ing Burleigh with his backhand to put Michigan up 2-0. The breakaway goal was Michigan's third shorthanded score of the season. With four points Saturday, Nystrom now leads all freshman in scoring with seven goals and 14 points. Michigan goalie Josh Blackburn helped the Wolverines by stoning the RedHawks through the first two periods. Black- burn, who has lowered his goals-against average to 2.71, fin- ished the night with 25 saves on 27 shots. In addition, Blackburn stopped three third-period breakaways that could have turned the momentum around and allowed Miami back in r i-Alf Shouneyia heating up at rght time for icers 0 Michigan Miami 1 1 0 1 -3 S1 00 -2 Fkst pedod- 1. Miami, Kompon 4 (Edwardson, Deskins), 147 (pp); 2. UM, Rymnar 6 (Gajic, Shouneyla), 19:44. Penal- ties-UM, Werner (obstructioNooking), 1:34. Second pedod-3. Miami, Grant 2 (Edwardson, Waford), :55 (pp); 4. UM, Bumes 1(Mink, Murray), 4:52. Pena les - Miami, Stevens (tripping), :36; Miam, Deskins (hit after whis- te), 7:58; UM, Rogers (hit after whistle), 7-58. 7irdpedod- Penalties- Miami, Noechleb(checking from behind), 16:33; Miami, Stewart (crosschecking), 19:25; UM, Komisarek (hit after whistle), 7:58. Overtime period - 5. UM, Camaledl 12 (Bumes), :57 Shosongoal -UM, 101252-32; MIA, 1087-0-25. PowerPlays-UM,0of2; FSU Oof1. , Saves - UM, Blackburn 9-7-0 --23; MIA, Burleigh 9-11&1 -32. Referee - Steve Piotowski ULnesmen--Butch Friedrnan, Bruce Vida At Goggin Ice Arena, Oxford. Attendance:2,850. SATURDAY'S GAME Michigan 5, Miami 2 EMMA FOSDICK/Daily Josh Blackburn had a solid weekend, allowing just two goals In each game en route to a sweep over Miami. the game. "This was not a blowout game and I thought Blackburn kep us in there,' Berenson said. "We were turning the puck over too much and we were on our heels the last 10 minutes of the game. I didn't like the way we played in that part of the game." Blackburn played well on Friday night as well, allowing jus two goals. By Chris Burke Daily Sports Writer OXFORD - When the Michigan hockey team was struggling to a 2-4-1 record early this season, one of the main points that coach Red Berenson HOCIKEy stressed as essential Notebook to turning the team around was getting the offense kick-started. Over the last six games, junior John Shouneyia has answered the call. With a powerplay goal 19:09 into the first period on Saturday night, Shouneyia extended his point streak to six consecutive games after notching an assist on Friday night. In those six games, Shouneyia has recorded four goals and six assists for a total of 10 points. "John is one of our better players," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "He got off to a slower start, but I think he's getting more confidence now, is more comfortable and he's playing the best hockey of his career right now, and t we need that. r "Obviously (center Mike) Cammal- leri faces the other team's best defense- men and the best forwards and the t wings so it's good to get a one-two punch going." As the center of Michigan's second line, Shouneyia has exploded offensive- ly since freshman Milan Gajic joined fellow freshman Jason Ryznar on his line. r That combination connected for Michigan's first goal of the weekend e with just 16 seconds remaining in the first period on Friday night. a Shouneyia won a faceoff outside the Miami zone, Gajic controlled the puck and sent it to Ryznar, who blasted a one- timer by Miami goalie David Burleigh. r Then on Saturday night, Shouneyia e put Michigan ahead for good, when he lit the lamp on the powerplay with 50 seconds to go in the first period. With Cammalleri off to play on the Canadian World Junior team for the next four weeks, Shouneyia's streak will make him the leading candidate to fill Cammalleri's center spot on the first line. "Holes are going to be open," Shouneyia said. "Guys are going to be moved up. It's definitely an opportunity for everyone to step up and make things happen." SPLIT DECISION: Twice during Satur- day night's 5-2 Michigan win, referee Steve Piotrowski waved off apparent goals. But fortunately for Michigan, he decided to allow one of them. With the RedHawks trailing 2-0 in the second, Miami forward Todd Grant's original shot was saved by goalie Josh Blackburn, but the forward then crashed into Blackburn - jarring the puck loose and into the net. Piotrowski immediately waved off the goal and instead called a two-minute goaltender interference penalty on Grant. "It seemed to change the whole tone of the game after that, but it probably could have gone either way," said Miami coach Enrico Blasi. Later, at a critical point in the game with Michigan ahead 2-1, Nystrom kicked a rebound of a Cammalleri shot to his stick and fired it into the net. After some discussion, that goal was allowed, and it turned out to be the game-winner. "I couldn't believe it" Nystrom said. "I clearly put it in with my stick but I guess the referee's position - he was behind me - he saw me kick it up to my stick and put it in. It could've been a turning point in the game." HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. BERENSON: Sat- urday was Berenson's 62nd birthday. Berenson is a perfect 5-0 on his birthday in the 18 years as the head coach of Michigan. . "It's not fun when you're on the road and you're really thinking and worrying and preparing for a game so there's not a lot of enjoyment during the day," Beren- son said of how he spent his birthday. "We've got a bit of a break in the league and this was important, but for (my) birthday I'll take the win anytime." 6 0 6 Michigan Miami 113 -5 0 0 2 -2 Firstpedod -1. UM,Shouneyia 6 (Nystrom, Ortmeyer), 19:09 (pp). Penalties - UM, Rogers(crosschecking), 8:42; Miari, Knupp (hit after whistle), 7:54; UM, Martens (hit after whistle). 17:54; Miami, Kompon (hooking), 18:57; UM, Konisarek (high sticking), 20:00. Second peod -2. UM, Nystrom6(unassisted), :27 (sh). Penalties - Miami, Grant (goaltender interference), 3:36; Miami, Grant (10-minute misconduct), 3:36; UM, Nystrom (high sticking), 7:42; UM, Vacik (slashing), 15:45. ThId period-3. Miami, Deskins4 (unassisted), 5:01; 4. UM, Nystrom 7 (Cammalleri),6:56; 5.Cammalleri 13 (Ot- meyer, Nstrom), 7:42; 6. Knupp 1(Jrdine, Grant), 17:41; 7. Cammalleri 14 (Ortmeyer), 19:03 (en) Penalties- Miami, Stewart (hit after whistle), 1:43; UM, Gaic (hit after whistle), 1:43; UM, Shouneyia (tripping), 8:17; Miami, Stewart (10- minute misconduct), 8:38; Miami, Knupp (unsportsrnlike conduct), 10:37; UM, Woodford (crosschecking), 10:37; UM, Vancik (holding), 15:55. Shotsongoal-UM,J414-11-39;Miami,8613-27. PowerPlays-UM,1of 2; Miami,lof 6. Saves-UM, Blackburn 8611-25; Miami, Burlegh13 I3M-34. Referee-Steve Piotrowski Unesmen - Butch Friedman, Bruce Vida At Goggin Ice Arena, Oxford. Attendance: 2,850. AROUND THE CCHA Nebraska-Omaha (6-6-2 CCHA, 9-7-2 overall) entered this weekend in a second-place tie with Michi- gan. After two consecutive losses to upstart Alaska-Fairbanks this weekend, the Mavericks now find themselves four points behind Michigan, which took care of busi- ness in Oxford. Above the Wolverines (8-3-2, 10-5-2) in first place is Michigan State (10-3-1, 12-3-2), which took First line too much for RedHawks By Chris Burke Daily Sports Writer OXFORD - For 60 minutes of action in Friday night's series opener against Miami, the Michigan hockey team showcased its offensive balance. The Wolverines' top line of center Mike Cammalleri and forwards Eric Nystrom and Jed Ortmeyer was held to just five total shots on goal through three periods of play, while the third and fourth lines tallied 11 shots com- bined. The result of Michigan's efforts was a 2-2 tie heading into overtime. But from that point on, the Wolver- ines' stars took over. Cammalleri finally found open ice on his first shift of overtime after a pass by defenseman Andy Burnes. Cammalleri crossed the Miami blue line and snapped a wrist shot over the shoulder of the Redhawks' goalie, David Burleigh to win the game. "We had so many rushes and so much speed, and the ice is great out there," Cammalleri said. "(Ortmeyer) and (Nystrom) are making plays out there and we are getting it to the net, but never really had the chance to bury one. We feel great out there and those are usually the nights when (the pucks) are going in like its nothing - then finally in overtime (one did.)" Michigan's top line caught fire from there, and recorded 10 of Michigan's 11 total points in Saturday's 5-2 victory. The solid effort from the second, third and fourth lines combined with the spectacular performance of the Wolver- ines' top line sent Michigan out of the series with two wins - and sent Miami searching for answers. "They're quality players and you have to pay special attention to them, and when you don't they make you pay," said Miami coach Enrico Blasi of-Michigan's first line. "I think they played extremely well, all four lines - we weren't up for the challenge." It was during the latter stages of the first period on Saturday night that Cam- malleri, Nystrom and Ortmeyer truly came to life. After Michigan defenseman Nick Martens and Miami forward Chris Knupp were each given two-minute penalties with 2:06 to go, Michigan received a 4-on-3 powerplay when for- ward Mike Kompon was called for hooking. With the first line trio joined on th ice by forward John Shouneyia, it took Michigan less than a minute to record a goal. From there, the RedHawks were on their heels. Nystrom finished the game with four points (two goals, two assists), while Cammalleri recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and Ortmeyer tallied three assists. "We just wanted to work hard," Ort- meyer said. "It paid off with a couple of goals - we just wanted to set the tone for the whole game." Said Nystrom: "Just lately - last weekend against Ferris and this week end - we've really been clicking. I think that since we've been put togeth. er, we've been doing a pretty good job and complement each other." Cammalleri has led the way all yea for the Wolverines and has now totalec 24 points inmjust 17 games. "He's an unbelievable player," saic Nystrom. "Anytime he has the puck, he's a threat - it's just God-given skill that he has, and he uses it great." I .t I b By the numbers 5. The length of Michigan's current winning streak, its longest of the season. 4. The number of goals that Michigan's first line (Mike Cammalleri, Eric Nystrom and Jed Ortmeyer) scored in Saturday's win. 3. The number of shorthanded goals Michigan has this season, after Nys- trom tallied one on Saturday night to put the Wolverines ahead 2-0. 2. The position Michigan now holds sole possession of in the CCHA stand- ings, three points behind first-place Michigan State. 1. The number of career goals defenseman Andy Burnes has as a Wolverine after notching one with 15:08 left in the second period on Friday night. a MICHIGAN LEADERS * CCHA STANDINGS CCHA LEADERS COMJ4A DR nlI NTI TTY ,I S/ VA. a. U .L 1 \i.J/.LN V \r V i