4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - December 3, 2001
4
Slap shouts
"He's big, strong and mean."
- Ferris State senior forward Rob Collins on Michigan
defenseman Mike Komisarek. Komisarek, along with the
rest of the Michigan defense, was able to hold Collins, the
leading scorer in the CCHA, to just one assist this
weekend.
FRIDAY'S GAME
Michigan 5
0 Ferris State 4
SATURDAY'S GAME
Ferris State 1
Michigan 6
Key play
Friday, 2:28 left in third
With Michigan trailing 4-3 and time winding
down, Komisarek corralled the puck at the top
of the circle andfired a wristshot that tied the
game at four
4
THE DAILY'S STARS
The Michigan Daily hockey writers'
picks for Michigan's three stars of the
weekend.
Mike Canimalleri
Center
Cammalleri scored three goals and had
two assists on the weekend, including
the game-winning goal with less than
two minutes left at Ferris State Friday
night.
Mike Komisarek
Defenseman
Komisarek scored the game-tying goal
in Friday night's win over Ferris State,
and recorded three assists in Satur-
day's contest.
.vd t Helminen
n er
Helminen scored on a breakaway Friday
night and added a powerplay goal and
an assist Saturday. He now leads Michi-
gan's freshman with six goals.
'M' SCHEDULE
This week:
Friday at Miami
Saturday at Miami
Friday: at Goggin Ice Arena, 7:35
p.m.
Saturday: at Goggin Ice Arena, 7:35
p.m.
The Wolverines have been the
hottest team in the CCHA of late,
and look to continue their torrid
pce by taking two from the Red-
Hawks.
HowTETop 10 FARE
No. 1 Minnesota (11-1-2) lost to St.
Cloud 3-2, tied St. Cloud 2-2
No. 2 St. Cloud (12-1-1) def. Minnesota
3-2, tied Minnesota 2-2
No. 3 Michigan State (9-3-2) lost to
Alaska-Fairbanks 3-2, def. Alaska-Fair-
banks 5-1
No.- 4Denver (11-1-0) def. Minnesota-
Duluth 8-2, def. Minnesota-Duluth 3-1.
No. 5 New Hampshire (9-2-2) def.
Boston College 5-4, def. Maine 4-1
No. 6 Boston University (8-3-1) lost to
UMass-Lowell 3-2
No. 7 Massachusetts-Lowell (10.2-0)
def. Boston University 3-2
No. 8 Northern Michigan (8-3-1) did not
play..
No. 9 North Dakota (5-7-1) lost to MSU-
Mankato 6-4, lost toM SU-M ank ato 6-0.
No. 10 Cornell (7-2-1) tied Yale 1-1, def.
Colgate 5-0.
FRIDAY'S GAME
Michigan 5, Ferris State 4
After slow start, Michigan
powerplay is now clicking
By Naweed Sikora
Daily Sports Writer
In Michigan's 5-3 victory over Wisconsin over
the Thanksgiving weekend; something began to
show up that had not been visible earlier this sea-
son: A consistent Michigan powerplay attack.
The Wolverines went 3-7 with the man-advan-
tage, the first time this season they scored three
powerplay goals in a game.
In this weekend's sweep over Ferris State,
Michigan's powerplay not only showed up - it
made its presence felt.
The Wolverines lit the lamp five times this
weekend on the powerplay (1-for-2 Friday night
and 4-for-9 Saturday night). Michigan is now 8-
for-18 on the powerplay in its last three games, a
44-percent conversion rate.
"The powerplay is getting more confidence
now," said Michigan coach Red Berenson. "When
we had the puck in their zone, we were pretty
good with it."
Although there isn't a single explanation for
why the powerplay unit has had success of late,
one thing is becoming clear. Every time the pow-
erplay is on the ice, the Wolverines have an excel-
lent chance of scoring a goal.
The powerplay unit seemed to flow very
smoothly this weekend as each player posed a
threat to the opposition.
"We're moving it really well right now," fresh-
man Eric Werner said. "(Mike) Cammalleri is get-
ting shots through and he's putting them home,
(John) Shouneyia is working good on that side,
and (Jed) Ortmeyer and (Eric) Nystrom are both
working really hard for loose pucks in the cor-
ners."
It seemed as though every time Cammalleri got
the puck at the point and fired away, something
good would happen. In the first period Saturday
night, he received a pass from Shouneyia and
blew a one-timer past Ferris State goalie John
DeCaro to give Michigan a 2-0 lead.
Even when he didn't find the net, Cammalleri's
shots created offensive opportunities for others.
For example, Michigan's first goal Saturday night
came when freshman Dwight Helminen put in a
rebound off of a Cammalleri shot.
Shouneyia's presence on the powerplay not
only allows Cammalleri to play the point, but it
also adds a legitimate passing threat to the first
unit. Shouneyia had two assists and a goal this
weekend with the man-advantage.
Although they don't need to take the bulk of
the shots, Nystrom and Ortmeyer have been cru-
cial to the success of the others. Ortmeyer had
three assists on the powerplay this weekend, and
Nystrom screened DeCaro on Cammalleri's goal
RYAN LEVENTHAL/Daily
The Michigan powerplay has had a lot to celebrate during the weekend. The Wolverines' converted on
four of nine powerplay opportunities in Saturday night's convincing victory over Ferris State.
Saturday night.
And finally, Werner seems to have found his
niche at the point. Not only has he been racking
up the assists, but he also scored his first goal of
the season on Saturday.
"I was going to pass it to Nystrom down low,
but I saw an open corner and I just let it go,"
Werner said.
Depth on the powerplay has been a pleasant
surprise for Michigan. With sophomore Mike
Komisarek playing the point on the second unit,
the first unit does not have as,-much pressure to
score every time it takes the ice.
This versatility was evident late in Saturday
night's game when Komisarek slid a pass to fresh-
man Milan Gajic, who was waiting on the
doorstep for the easy score.
"I think that once we got settled in the zone, we
did a good job of moving the puck around, finding
passing lanes, getting shots through and hitting
the net," Komisarek said. "At key times, we got
the powerplay goals that hurt Ferris State."
Icers gaining 'confidence' at Yost
By Seth Klempner
Daily Sports Writer
If the Michigan hockey team had to
identify a turning point to the season, it
would likely be the 1000-mile trip to
Alaska-Fairbanks.
The previous week, Michigan had been
swept at home by
Northern Michigan HOCKEY
and held a 1-3-1 con-N
ference record. TheNotebook
Wolverines bounced
back by sweeping their series against the
Nanooks and have been finding ways to
win ever since.
This weekend, Michigan extended its
season long winning streak to three
games with a sweep over Ferris State.
Over the past eight games, Michigan
has put together a 6-1-1 record and earned
11 points in CCHA play. The success has
catapulted Michigan from eighth place in
conference standings to a tie for second
with Nebraska-Omaha.
The Wolverines have missed out on just
just one CCHA point since being swept
by the Wildctas. In addition, Michigan
has played all three teams in its CCHA
cluster (Alaska-Fairbanks, Nebraska-
Omaha and Western Michigan) and has
captured 9 points in those six games.
Michigan will have to face each of these
teams twice more this season, but five of
those games will be at Yost Ice Arena.
But Yost has not been friendly to
Michigan, which is only 4-3 at home. The
Wolverines are aware of the need to
regain a home-ice presence and make
Yost an intimidating place for opponents.
"It is not just home-ice presence to
scare other guys coming in here," Michi-
gan coach Red Berenson said. "(We need)
to give our guys confidence at home."
In the meantime, the Wolverines have
become road warriors, with a 5-2-2
record on the road since the season began.
Playing away from home has given this
young Michigan team needed experience
and confidence.
"We have had some great experience in
the last few weeks. Tough trips to Omaha
and Alaska," Berenson said. "We are
gaining experience, confidence and some
momentum as a team."
DYNAMIC DUO SHUT DOWN BY 'D': Ferris
State entered this weekend with the top
two leading scorers in the CCHA in Rob
Collins and Chris Kunitz. The linemates
have combined for 22 goals and 43
points.
Michigan knew coming into the series
that if it was to have success, it would
have to shut down the powerful duo. The
Wolverines were able to do this, limiting
the pair to one assist over the weekend.
Berenson tried to match up his first line
of Mike Cammalleri, Jed Ortmeyer and
Eric Nystrom against the Collins-Kunitz
line all weekend. Michigan's top line was
able to pressure the Ferris State defense
and keep the puck out of its own zone.
"They matched Cammalleri's line
against us, so you are not going to create a
lot of offense when you are matched up
against another offensive line," Collins
said. "It is tough to score goals when the
puck is in your end."
Michigan also matched its top defen-
sive pair against the two forwards. Sopho-
more Mike Komisarek answered the call,
playing one of his most physical week-
ends of the year.
"If I were a good player and I had to
look up at (Komisarek) and (senior Jay)
Vancik every time I was on the ice it
would get discouraging after a while,"
Berenson said of Collins and Kunitz'
weekend. "I thought (Komisarek) was a
giant this weekend. He had his best defen-
sive weekend of the year. He was a real
factor in shutting those two guys out."
NOTES: For the first time all season,
Michigan scored more than five goals at
Yost ... Senior goaltender Kevin O'Mal-
ley saw action in Saturday's game in relief
of Josh Blackburn. The senior played for
13-and-a-half minutes and stopped all
nine shots that he faced.
Michigan
Ferris State
0 3 2 -5
1 1 2 -4
Rrstpeudod-1.FSU, Legue 2 (York),3:08 (pp). Penaltes-
UM, Matens (interference), 15:17
Second peod-2UM, Shouneyia 5 (Cammalleri, Ortmeyer),
3.08(pp); 3. UM, HekTmnen 5 (Ortmeyer, Vatik),800; 4.
FSU, Nesbitt 2 (unassisted), 8:25; 5. UM, Cammalleri9(Nys-
tram), 9:43. Penee- FSUJ, Smith (tripping), 1:51; UM,
Kauz (slashing), 10:49; UM, Komisaek (tripping), 16:00;
FSU, Kunitz(crosschecking), 20:00.
7Wld peiod - 6. FSU, Nesbitt 3 (McIver, Legue),12:21;7.
FSU, McIver 6 (York, Collins), 13:10; 8. UM, Komisarek 8
(Shouneyia, Mink). 17:32; 9. UM, Canmalleri 10 (Werner),
18:19. Penes- UM, (too many on ice), 2:03; FSU, Legue
(high sticking), 18:43; UM, Fraser (high staking), 18:43; FSU,
Legue (10minute misconduct), 18:43; UM, Faser (10minute
misconduJct), 1843.
Shsongd-UM, 14158-37; FSU,14W-13-35.
PwPays- UM, lof 2;FSU0 of 4.
Saves-UM, Blackburn13-7-11-31; UM, Brown 14-12-6
-32
Reeree-Steve Pitowski
Lkesen-Paul Tunison, Chris Davis.
At Ewigleben Ice Arena, Big Rapids. Attendance:2,450.
SATURDAY'S GAME
Mch ian 6, Feris State 1
TOM FELDKAMP/Daily
John Shouneyla scored a powerplay goal Friday night and added two assists
to finish the weekend with three points.
Blue's explosive performance
ignited by Gajic and Murray
We knew we could count on you ...
Mike Cammallerl
Ferris State
Michigan
0 10-1
3 2 1 -6
Fistpeiod - 1. UM, Helminen 6 (Cammallen), 7:30 (pp);
2. UM, Carnalleri 11(Shouneyia, Ortmeyer),14:49 (pp); 3.
UM, Gajic 2 (Komisarek, Mink), 18:44. Penalties- FSU,
Caudill (slashing), 6:13; UM, Shouneyia (slashing), 9:46;
FSU, Mclver(ronghing), 13:41; UM, G ic (roughing), 13:41;
FSJ, Schroder (checking from behind), 14:16; UM, Vancik
(crosschecking), 15:11; UM, Komisarek (roughing), 19:45;
FSJ, Scroder (crosschecking), 19:45.
Second perod-4. FSU, Lewaidowski 4 (York, Legue), 6:43
(pp); 5. UM, Murray 1(Gic, Komisarek),12:52; 6. UM,
Werner 1 (Ortmeyer, Shouneyia), 15:22 (pp); Penitis-
FSU, MIlam (hooking), 1:24; FSU, Kunitz(highsticking),
3:31; UM, Martens (roughing), 5:46; UM, Werner (tripping),
8:01; UM, Rogers(slashing), 11:10; fSU, McIver (elbowing),
12:05; FSU, Milam(slashing), 14:43; UM, Murray (checking
from behind), 20:00; FSU, Snth (crosschecking), 20:00.
711*dpeod -7. UM, C~ic 3 (Konisarek, Helninen), 5:40
(pp);Penalties- UM, Vancik (obstructionhooking), :27;
FSU, Kunitz(charging), 5:21; UM, Martens (elbow-
ing),13:48; FSU, Milam (interference), 15:04; FSU, Mclver
(lo-ninute misconduct), 15:04; FSU, York (1O4ninute mis-
conduct),16:51; UM, O'Malley (high sticking), 16:51; FSU,
Thomson (interference),18:49.
Shtson god-UM,12-1-14-36; UM,9149-28.
PowrPlays- UM, 4of 9;FSU,1 of 8.
Swes-UM, Blackburn 12-5-26; UM,O'Malley 009
-9; FSU, DeCaro688-22.
Referee-Steve Mcinchak.
Liemnen-Pat Bracco, Kevin Lagseth.
At Yost Ice Arena, Am Arbor. Attardoe: 6,752.
CCHA ROUNDUP
Flay's games:
MIchigan 5. FeRds State 4
Nebraska-Omaha 2, Bowling Green 2
Miami 1, Ohio State 0
Alaska-Fairbanks 2, Michigan State 1
Saturday's games:
s.. . Qc..seC4_.&&
By J. Brady McCoIlough
Daily Sports Writer
Before Saturday night's 6-1 victory at
Yost Ice Arena, No. 13 Michigan had
been counting on the same players to
produce points night in and night out. If
it wasn't one of center Mike Cammal-
leri with his patented wristshots, it was
defenseman Mike Komisarek firing
bullets from the point.
The Wolverines knew that a key to
this weekend's series with Ferris State
would be increased production from top
to bottom.
"We're going to have to get some
production from some more of our
players, and try and beat them with our
depth," said associate head coach Mel
Pearson in the middle of last week.
Pearson got his wish Saturday night
as four of the Wolverines' six tallies
came from players who previously had
one goal or less on the season, giving
Cammalleri and company some much
needed relief.
Michigan received its biggest lift
from freshman forward Milan Gajic,
who entered the game with one goal.
Gajic, who played junior league hockey
in British Columbia last season, had
been unable to get acclimated to the
fast pace of college hockey. He felt like
every time he got control of the puck,
he was mobbed by a defender and
couldn't make a play. He was even a
healthy scratch from an early season
game he had been looking for, scoring
two goals - both on assists from
Komisarek - and assisting on senior
Craig Murray's first goal of the season.
"It's helped out a lot, just knowing
that I can actually put a puck in the
net," Gajic said. "The first part of the
season was pretty hard for me, but I've
learned a lot."
Said Michigan coach Red Berenson:
"He's a kid that can score goals, and I
think he'll add to the offensive depth of
our team, but it hasn't happened yet.
You want to be patient with your young
players, but he's a player who I thought
would be an impact player this year. It's
taken him some time to get adjusted to
this style of play."
As one of many inexperienced for-
wards in the lineup, Gajic was doing
everything he could to put points on the
board and help the upperclassmen -
maybe too much at times.
"I'm not going to lie to you," Gajic
said. "At the beginning I felt a little
pressure, but after a while, (the coach-
es) just kept on working with me, and
that helped me out a lot. It kind of took
the pressure away."
In an attempt to get Gajic more scor-
ing chances, Berenson moved him from
the fourth line to the second line to play
with center John Shouneyia - the
Wolverines' second leading scorer.
Even though Shouneyia didn't assist on
either of Gajic's goals, he has helped to
elevate the freshman's performance.
"Sometimes, I'm not even ready for
what he's going to do," Gajic said. "It's
kind of stupid to think that he doesn't
even have to be looking and he can put
the puck on your (stick). I have to work
on being ready at all times."
Gajic was inches away from record-
ing a hat trick, but missed an open net
on a breakaway. But after the miss, he
immediately saw Murray trailing
behind him, and snapped the puck to
Murray who scored for the first time in
his 10 games this season.
"I missed a wide-open net, fell on my
face," Gajic said. "(Murray) told me,
'Thanks, but you should have scored.' "
Murray, who tallied 10 goals last sea-
son, has struggled to find his scoring
touch, and has been injured off and on
with a hurt shoulder and groin.
"It took me a while," Murray said.
"Hopefully that'll change things for me
a bit. I've been getting more shots as
the games have gone on. One of them
had to go in, and it was good to get that
out of the way"
Aside from the contributions of
Gajic and Murray, Mink tallied two
assists on the weekend after his move to
the fourth line, and freshman defense-
man Eric Werner, who has six assists,
lit the lamp for the first time this sea-
son.
"We need all our experienced players
to set an example night after night,"
Berenson said. "Mark Mink has been
relegated to a fourth-line spot, but he's
playing hard, and he's playing well now.
We need those guys to be playing well.
We need to have some depth and bal-
ance in our scoring."
I/
This weekend, Michigan was able to
count on its key players to score and
help sweep Ferris State.
Mike Cammalleri (3-1-4): Twice on
Friday night, Cammalleri broke ties
with Ferris State. The first time came
midway through the second period to
give the Wolverines a 3-2 lead. His
second of the night was the game-
winner with 1:41 left in the game.
Mike Komisarek (1-3-4): Tied the
game at four friday night, and had
three assists in Michigan's 6-1 rout
on Saturday. Komisarek has a four-
game point scoring streak.
John Shouneyla (1-3-4): On Friday,
Shouneyia assisted on Komisarek's
goal to tie the game up. After Fri-
day's two-point night, Shouneyia
posted his fourth straight multi-point
game with two assists to give him
three on the weekend.
ALYSSA WOOD/Daily
... But we didn't know about you
Michigan also received offense from
some other players.
Craig Murray (1-0-1): After a score-
less night and minus-i rating on Fri-
day, Murray rebounded with a goal and
a plus-2 rating Saturday. His goal with
8:08 left in the second period on Sat-
urday was his first of the season.
Milan Gajlc (2-1-3): Gajic ended a
month-long scoreless streak on Satur-
day with two goals. His two goals and
one assist gave him his first multi-
point game of his college career.
Eric Werner (1-1-2): Like Murray,
Werner had his first goal of the season
on Saturday night. On Friday, Werner
recorded his seventh assist of the year
with his pass to Cammalleri for the
game-winner.
Milan Gajic
contest.
But Gajic finally
ALYSSA WOOD/Daily
had the breakout
olk-mums
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BULLDOGS
be a back-and-forth struggle. Ferris
State iimned out to a 1-0 lead, but
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