The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - September 10, 2001- 9B Komsarek and Helinen gain confidence with National Team By Steve Jackson Daily Sports Writer Michigan hockey players Mike Komisarek and Dwight Helminen gained at least one thing from their experience with the U.S. Junior National Team at the Summer Chal- lenge - confidence. As part of the team's off-ice bond- ing, Komisarek took the squad to a 55- foot cliff near Whiteface Mountain in New York. "It's pretty scary," Komisarek said. "You have to gather up all your courage and take that step - and the next thing you know you are in the water screaming. It's a rush." In addition to the cliff, the players were also given a chance to build up some confidence during a four-game series against Finland's Junior Nation- al Team. The two teams split the series 2-2. The U.S. won the first two games easi- ly, 6-1 and 4-1. But Finland pulled it together after that.- winning game three handily by the score of 7-3. The Fins took the final game 3-2 in a shootout. "It's great to go against the top play- ers in the world," Komisarek said. "It's kind of a measuring stick for us. (Play- ing those games) is great for our confi- W dence heading into this season." The experience should prove espe- cially helpful for Helminen. The incoming freshman scored one of Team USA's shootout goals in game four after garnering an assist earlier in the game. "I've been in a lot of shoot-outs, so I wasn't too nervous for that one," Helminen said. "I had one just like that in Finland during the World (Under- 18) Championships." When his turn came, Helminen did- n't have any idea what move he would use to score. "I was just thinking 'shoot.' " Playing a four-game series is a ORTMEYER Continued from Page 1B port. "We just have to make them feel like they're part of the team, and make sure that they know what they need to do," Ortmeyer said. "Just encourage them, and help them out with any problems they have, so they feel comfortable on the ice." The Michigan freshmen showed their enthusiasm by singing a rousing rendition of "Hail to the Victors" at center court. Ortmeyer, who played in 27 games last season, tallied 21 points on 10 goals and 11 assists. Michigan missed his leader- ship, work ethic and physical style of play, especially in its late season games against Michigan State - one of the top defensive teams in the country. Not only is Ortmeyer eager to hit the ice again this fall, but his ACL is currently 100-percent recovered. "Ortmeyer is a good example of what a Michigan captain should be," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "His work ethic on the ice is exceptional, and the players are going to see that every day. He's always been a team player. The team will come first, and that's obviously important in a good leader." Michigan normally names its captain early in the summer through a team vote..But this year's decision was made by Berenson and the coaching staff. "Because of the loss of key players (Andy Hilbert and Jeff Jillson) this summer and the timing of everything, we haven't really had a chance to get the team back together for a vote of this importance," Berenson said. LEADERS OF THE PACK Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson and his coaching staff announced captains for the 2001-02 campaign on Friday: CAPTAIN: JED ORTMEYER, JR. FORWARD Ortmeyer missed most of the second half of last season with a torn ACL. But that didn't stop him from scoring a career- high 21 points in the season's first 27 games. During his two seasons with the Wolverines, the Omaha, Neb. native has tallied 45 points in 65 games. ALTERNATE CAPTAIN: JAY VANCIK, SR. DEFENSEMAN Vancik, a three-year letterwinner, has four goals and 13 assists in 103 career games on the blue line for the Wolver- ines. Last season he posted a personal-best nine points on one goal and eight assists. ALTERNATE CAPTAIN: MIKE CAMMALLERI, JR. FORWARD Cammalleri is the Wolverines' top returning scorer from last year. He posted 29 goals and 32 assists for 61 points en route to first team All-CCHA and second team All-American selections. ALTERNATE CAPTAIN: JOHN SHOUNEYIA, JR. FORWARD Shouneyia was one of only five players to skate in all 45 games for Michigan last year. He has tallied 15 goals and 44 assists during his 82 games as a Wolverine. BRENDANO0'DONNELL/Daily Mike Komisarek was one of six returning players on the U.S. Junior Natioal Team that competed against Finland at the Summer Challenge in New York. unique and interesting experience for the players; as the college hockey sea- son is made up of just two-game series. "There's definitely a hate there," Komisarek said. "You see the same guys, the same faces. You learn to hate them." As one of only six returning players from last year's Junior National Team that traveled to Russia, Komisarek was recognized by his teammates as a leader. "He was one of the guys we looked to," Helminen said. "He'd show us the ropes." Both Michigan representatives hope to continue their international experi- ence when the Junior National team travels to Prague, Czech Republic for the World Championships. "The Summer Challenge was kind of like a tryout for us," Helminen said. The final roster will be selected in early December. The U.S. will have representatives following the progress and play of all the candidates during the upcoming season. "We basically just concentrate on what we have to do here (at Michi- gan)," Komisarek said. "Then if we make the team they give us a call, we take our exams early and we're off." When and if that call comes, both players will be eager to go. "Anytime you put on that U.S. sweater, it's a tremendous feeling," Komisarek said. "You get a rush going through your body. There are thou- sands of kids that would love to wear that jersey. You need to play hard for them and your country." ALYSSA WOOD/Daily Last year, Mike Cammallerl scored more goals (29) then any other Wolverine. Bonds blasts three out of Coors 2001-2002 MICHIGAN HocKEY SCHEDULE Sept. 28 Blue/White (Ex) 7:35 pm Sept. 30 Queens (Ex) 2:05 p.m. Oct. 6 Michigan State 7:05 p.m. Oct. 9 US NTDP U-18 Team 7:35 p.m. NEBRASKA-OMAHA. MAVERICK STAMPEDE Oct. Oct. 8:05 Oct. Oct. Oct. Oct.; Nov. Nov. Nov. Nov. 12 Providence 5:05 p.m. 13 Minnesota-Duluth or-Nebraska-Omaha 5 or p.m. 19 Western Michigan 7:05 p.m. 20 Western Michigan 7:35 p.m. 26 Northern Michigan 7:35 p.m. 27 Northern Michigan 7:35 p.m. 2 Alaska-Fairbanks 7:05 p.m. 3 Alaska-Fairbanks 7:05 p.m. 16 Nebraska-Omaha 7:05 p.m. 17 Nebraska-Omaha 7:05 p.m. Jan. 11 Alaska Fairbanks 7:35 p.m. Jan. 12 Alaska Fairbanks 7:35 p.m. Jan. 19 Michigan State 7:35 p.m. Jan. 25 Bowling Green 7:35 p.m. Jan. 26 Bowling Green 7:35 p.m. Jan. 31 Lake Superior State 7:05 p.m. Feb. 2 Lake Superior State 7:35 p.m. (Detroit) Feb. 8 Nebraska Omaha 7:35 p.m. Feb. 9 Nebraska Omaha 7:35 p.m. Feb. 16 Michigan State 7:35 p.m. (Detroit) Feb. 22 Ohio State 7:35 p.m. Feb. 23 Ohio State 7:35 p.m. Mar. 1 Western Michigan 7:35 p.m. Mar. 2 Western Michigan 7:35 p.m. POSTSEASON Mar. 8-10 CCHA First Round Series Mar. 15-17 CCHA Championship (Detroit) Mar. 22-23 NCAA West Regional (Ann Arbor) Mar. 23-24 NCAA East Regional (Worcester, Mass.) Apr. 6-8 NCAA Frozen Four (St. Paul, Minn.) Home games in bold 2001-2002 Michigan Hockey Ticket Information STUDENT SEASON TICKETS: Hockey season tickets go on sale today for $159 at the Michigan Ticket office. Tickets must be bought in person at the ticket office which is open from 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m. Ticket sales are closed this Wednesday at 5 p.m. In order to enter the lottery for the "Cold War" game against Michigan State in Spartan Stadium, you must apply for season tickets. DENVER (AP) - Barry Bonds hit three home runs yesterday to give him 63 for the season, passing Roger Maris' once-magical mark and moving him closer to Mark McGwire's record. Playing at Coors Field, Bonds broke Maris' record of 61 for most homers in a season by a left-handed hitter. Bonds has 18 games left to break McGwire's record of 70 set in 1998. After an off-day today, Bonds and the San Francisco Giants begin a series at Houston's homer-friendly Enron Field. Bonds hit No. 61 in the first inning to match Maris' then-major league record 61 homers for the New York Yankees in 1961. Bonds broke the mark with No. 62 in the fifth. Bonds added a three-run homer in the 11th off Colorado reliever Todd Belitz. Bonds also became the fastest to reach 62 homers, doing it in his 144th game. Mark McGwire needed 145 games to reach 62 when he broke Maris' record by hitting 70 homers in 1998. In the first, on a 1-I count, Bonds launched a 488-foot solo shot off Colorado's Scott Elarton. Bonds' soaring drive struck a beer sign beyond the center-field wall. It was the third-longest homer in Coors Field history, exceeded only by a 496-foot shot by Mike Piazza and a 493-footer by Larry Walker. In the fifth, Bonds lined a 2-2 pitch from Elarton that just cleared the right-field wall. . Maris, whose record stood for 37 years, had been surpassed only by McGwire and Sammy Sosa - both right-handed hitters. Bonds struck out looking in the third. He had gone homerless on Friday and Saturday. Also in. yesterday's game, Rock- ies manager Buddy Bell, hitting coach Clint Hurdle and slugger Larry Walker all were ejected by home-plate umpire Rob Drake in a four-pitch sequence. Hurdle, who was ejected in the third inning of Saturday's game for arguing pitch calls made by Ted Barrett, was tossed by Drake after arguing a strike call with Walker at the plate, a pitch that made the count 2-1. Hurdle and Bell both went to the plate to argue. When Walker, on a full count, took a called third strike on a pitch from San Francisco's Jason Schmidt that appeared to be low, Walker flipped his bat in frustration and was ejected by Drake. Bell again argued that call and he, too, was tossed. Bell returned to the dugout and angrily threw his clipboard onto the field, the papers scattering. The next batter, Todd Helton, also took a called third strike and argued briefly with Drake but was not ejected. ~1 REC SPORTS INTRAMURALS COLLEGE HOCKEY SHOWCASE Nov. 23 Minnesota 7:35 p.m. Nov. 24 Wisconsin 8:05 p.m. The University of Michigan Department of Recreational Sports INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM WHAT'S HAPPENING Nov.: Dec. Dec.' Dec. Dec. 30 Ferris State 7:35 p.m. 1 Ferris State 7:35 p.m. 7 Miami (Ohio) 7:35 p.m. 8 Miami (Ohio) 7:35 p.m. 15 Harvard 7:35 p.m. 1 IM 37TH ANNUAL GREAT LAKES INVITATIONAL Dec.. Dec. 28 North Dakota 4:05 p.m.+ 29 Michigan Tech or MSU (Detroit) (Detroit) Jan. 4 Notre Dame 7:05 p.m. Jan. 5 Notre Dame 7:05 p.m. 0' BROOMBALL (Frat, GFS, RH, IND Men) ENTRIES TAKEN: Today - Monday 9/10 ONLY 11:00 AM to 5:30PM, IMSB ENTRY FEE: $78 per team MANAGER'S MEETING: MANDATORY Weds 9/12, 8:00 PM, IMSB PLAY BEGINS: Thurs 9/13, Yost Ice Arena 3-on-3 BASKETBALL li 1 ENTRIES TAKEN: Today - Monday 9/10 ONLY 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM, IMSB 'ENTRY FEE: $50 per team MANAGER'S MEETING: MANDATORY Weds 9/12, 7:15 PM, IMSB PLAY BEGINS: Thurs 9/13, IMSB __________________________________________' SOCCER TEAM TENNIS ('II ENTRIES TAKEN: Today - Monday 9/10 ONLY 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM, IMSB ENTRY FEE: $78 per team MANAGER'S MEETING: MANDATORY Weds 9/12, 6:00 PM, IMSB PLAY BEGINS: Thurs 9/13 Mitchell Fields ENTRIES DU Thurs 9/13, 4:3 ENTRY FEE: $25 per team MANAGER'S MANDATOR Thurs 9/13, 6:3 TOURNAME E: 30 PM, IMSB MEETING: Y 0 PM, IMSB NT DATES: Fri, Sat & Sun 9/14, 15 & 16 UM Varsity Tennis Center Located on South State Street _______________________________________________________________________________ II The entry deadline for the TENNIS SINGLES & DOUBLES TOURNAMENT and the SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT is 4:30pm Wednesday September 26. 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