4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - January 28, 2002
Slap shouts
"When you play the second-to-last place
team, and you're one of the top teams, you
think you should pad your stats that game."
- Michigan forward Michael Woodford after 11th place
Bowling Green beat the Wolverines, 4-2 on Friday night.
FRIDAY'S GAME
Bowling Green 4
Michigan 2
SATURDAY'S GAME
Bowling Green 2
Michigan 3
Key play
Friday, 1:12 into the third
With Bowling Green leading 2-1, Falcons'
forward Marc Barlow beat Michigan goalie
Josh Blackburn for a two-goal deficit that
Michigan would not overcome.
I
THE DAILY'S STARS
The Michigan Daily hockey writers'
picks for Michigan's three stars of the
weekend.
Mike Komisarek
Defenseman
After a sub-par performance in Friday's
loss, Komisarek played savior in Satur-
day's win. The sophomore defenseman
scored twice, including thergame-win-
ner with 3:28 left in the third period.
Mark Mink
Forward
Mink was one of the few bright spots
for Michigan on Friday. He recorded an
assist on Eric Werner's goal and threw
his body around all weekend.
Michael Woodford
Forward
The freshman had just one assist on the
weekend, but he played very physically
while trying to get Michigan going.
M' SCHEDULE
This week:
Thursday at Lake Superior State
Taffy Abel Arena, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday vs. Lake Superior State
Joe Louis Arena, 7:35 p.m.
With Friday's loss to Bowling Green,
every game for Michigan becomes
important not only for CCHA position,
but also for the Wolverines' wavering
NCAA Tournament hopes. Lake Superior
sits alone in last place in the CCHA with
nine points so far this season. Michigan
won three out of four games last year
against the Lakers, dropping a 2-1 deci-
sion on the road, but winning 5-2 when
the teams met at Joe Louis Arena.
How THE TOP 10 FARED
No. Denver (23-3-0) def. Minnesota 3-1,
lost to Minnesota 6-1
No. 2 New Hampshire (18-4-2) def. Boston
University 6-1
No. 3 St. Cloud (20-5-2) tied Wisconsin 2-2
(OT), lost to Wisconsin 4-1.
No. 4 Minnesota (18.5-4) lost to Denver 3-1,
def. Denver 6-1
No. 5 Michigan State (19-5.3) def. Ohio
State 3-1, def. Ohio State 5-1
No.6 Boston University (14-6-2) lost to New
Hampshire 6-1
No. 7 UMass-Lowell (16-7-1) lost to Maine 2-1,
lost to Maine 4-1
No. 8 Michigan (14-8-5) lost to Bowling Green
4-3, def. Bowling Green 3-2
No. 9 Colorado College (16-8-2) def. Air
Force 8-1, def. Niagara 4-0
No. 10 Northern Michigan (17-7-2) def. Alas-
ka-Fairbanks 5-4, def. Alaska-Fairbanks 3-1
FRIDAY S GAME
Bowling Green 4, Michigan 2
Struggles at Yost not
common for M' ICers
By Naweed Sikora
Daily Sports Writer
Bowling Green 1 1 2
Michigan 0 1 1.
-4
-2
"Yost magic" is something that
most Michigan hockey teams have
always been able to rely on. It's an
intangible weapon that has allowed
the Wolverines to rack up many
winning seasons at home. Coming
into this season, the Wolverines
thought that the "magic" would
help them overcome their difficult
road schedule in the first half of the
season, and come on strong in the
end.
But after 12 home games, Michi-
gan has broken even (5-5-2 over-
all), still searching for that
home-ice advantage it thought it
would always be there.
"It's definitely an issue," Michi-
gan coach Red Berenson said of his
team's play at home this season.
"We haven't taken advantage of our
opportunities. We're .500 so far,
and that's unacceptable for us. The
loss to Alaska-Fairbanks and the
loss to Bowling Green are two that
we shouldn't have had."
The Wolverines have not suffered
more than five home-losses in a
single season since 1988-89. Since
that season, they have lost five
FALCONS
Continued from Page 1B
"We've come (to Yost) before and
have just been blown out of the
building - if I knew (what the dif-
ference was Friday) I'd bottle it and
keep a supply of it," Bowling Green
coach Buddy Powers said. "I told
the guys if we bring this energy and
emotion to the table every night,
we'll win our share of games down
the last 10 here."
The Falcons finally broke
through with 1:18 left in the first
period on a goal by Denis White.
The lead grew to two just over a
minute into the second period when
Scott Hewson beat Blackburn with
a one-timer.
Michigan's best stretch in the
game also led to its first goal. Short-
handed and down2-0, the Wolver-
ines got a huge shift from forward
LET DOWN
Continued from Page 1B
weren't ready to play and it showed
right from the start."
Michigan would not wake up
after the intermission, continuing
its lackluster play as it gave up a
goal less than two minutes into the
second period.
The Falcons were a team that the
Wolverines expected to beat -
which may be the problem. Despite
all the talk of parity, the 1-1 tie
against Michigan State gave Michi-
gan a false sense of security. This
bravado led to Michigan's unin-
spired play at a time when it had an
abundance of inspiration.
Underestimating the ability of
opponents is nothing new to the
Wolverines. Three times last year,
Michigan failed to win the second
game of a weekend series after win-
ning the first by three goals or
more.
Every player knew the impor-
tance of the upcoming four-game
stretch. The players also had an
abundance of motivation having
tied Michigan State without Mike
Cammalleri last weekend.
But when the Wolverines stepped
onto the ice Friday night, they had
forgotten all about the shock they
had received from Alaska-Fair-
banks.
"Two weeks ago against Alaska-
Fairbanks - that was a huge wake-
up call," freshman Milan Gajic
said. "Last night was even bigger.
(We had the) 11th place team com-
ing in, we thought we were going to
have a big game but we didn't."
If Alaska-Fairbanks was a wake-
up call as Gajic claimed, the
Wolverines shouldn't have needed
shock therapy against Bowling
Green. But perhaps an embarrass-
ment is what the Wolverines need-
ed.
The first time Michigan was
embarrassed at home this season it
was swept by Northern Michigan in
home games in a season just twice
(1989-90, 1999-00). But after the
split this weekend with Bowling
Green (11th in the CCHA), the
Wolverines are learning that there
is no such thing as "Yost magic" if
there is no team effort.
"The effort and the hard work
should be there every night,"
Michigan defenseman Mike Komis-
arek said. "We always seem to have
problems underestimating teams in
our league. We need to come out
and set the tone.
"When we're at home, we can't
just throw our sticks on the ice
because we're Michigan and expect
other teams to just lay over and
play dead. We have to be ready to
play every night."
The Wolverines' play away from
home has kept them near the top of
the CCHA so far this year. In 11
road games, they have just one loss.
"We don't have to put on a show
when we're away," freshman
Michael Woodford said. "Everyone
gets excited to play away because
it's a hostile environment, we just
build off that."
But with only two remaining road
contests, the Wolverines must fig-
ure out how to bring their road-
Mark Mink who set up Michigan's
first goal by freshmen Eric Werner.
It was a brief glimmer in an other-
wise miserable game for Michigan.
Barlow answered Werner's goal
1:02 into the third period to put
Bowling Green back up by two, 3-1.
A late Michigan goal by Andy
Burnes pulled the Wolverines within
3-2, but an empty net tally by Tyler
Knight finished off any comeback
hopes. The win guaranteed Bowling
Green a successful, two-point week-
end and sent Michigan back to the
drawing board.
"I think we just have to regroup
and reevaluate what we need to do
every night," Burnes said. "We have
to look at the big picture, it's not just
getting up fbr one night. First place
is on the line every night, and we
have to get that message across to
our-team because every point from,
here on out is huge."
intensity into their own building if
they want to challenge Michigan
State for first in the CCHA.
Michigan has five games remain-
ing at Yost (weekend series against
Nebraska-Omaha, Ohio State and a
game against Western Michigan).
To keep pace with Michigan State,
which is four points up on the
Wolverines in the standings, Michi-
gan will have to win these games.
In order to do so, the Wolverines
know that they will need a high
PAIRWISE RANKINGS
The Pairwise Rankings are based on
the ranking system used by the
NCAA selection committee to deter-
mine which 12 teams will partici-
pate in the NCAA Tournament.
Team Record PWR
1. Denver 23-3-0 27
2. New Hampshire 18-4-2 26
3. St. Cloud 20-5-2 25
4. Minnesota 18-5-4 24
5. Michigan State 19-5-3 23
6. Maine 15-7-4 22
7. Boston University 14-6-2 20
8. Northern Michigan 17-7-2 20
9. Mass:-Lowell 16-7-1 19
10. Colorado College 16-8-2 19
U, Michigan 14-8-5 17
12. Cornell 13-5-1 16
13. Nebraska-Omaha 16-9-3 15
14. Northeastern 13-10-3 14
15. Alaska-Fairbanks 14-10-2 12
level of intensity. Michigan played
with the type of fire it needed in its
1-1 tie to Michigan State nine days
ago, but it couldn't find it this past
weekend against the Falcons.
"It's tough to bring out the same
intensity every night, but it is
something that we have to do,"
freshman Eric Nystrom said.
"Whether it's pretending that
they're in green jerseys out there or
just being more prepared, we have
to do it."
Practice doesn't make
perfect for Michigan
Ortmeyer fulfills duties from behind bench
Fist pedd- 1. BG, White 2(Knight, Minnabarriett),18:42.
Penaldes- UM,Vancik (hit alter whistle), 6:41;BG,Moore
(checkingtfrom behind), 6:51;BG, christie (crosschecking),
12:27; BG, Bieska (hit after(whist)e), 14:55.
Second peilod - 2.8BG. Hewson 6 (McConvey), 1:15; Werner
2(Mink), 5:08 (sh). Penmlues-UM, Komisarek (hit alter
whistle), 4:12; BG, White (hooking), 5:33; BG, Leonard (trip-
ping), 8:57; BG, Leonard (l44ninute misconduct); UM, Helni-
nen (interferegce),11:45; BG, Mimabarett (tippin), 15:58;
UM, Martens (hit after whistle), 18:51; BG, Hewson (hit after
whistle), 18:51
Third period - 4.8BG, Balow 4 (Bieska, Wetterberg), 1:02; 5.
UM, Burnes2(Moss, Helminen), 13:23; 6. BG, Kght;4
(Day), 19:27 (empty net). Penaldes- UM, Woodford (hook-
ing), 5:04; UM, Woodforrd(hooking), 9:03;BG, Brudewski
(holdng), 11:14; BG. Homer (crosschecking), 14:17.
Shsongoi-UM, 11-12-10-33; BG ,10131-34.
Pler Plays- UM, 0of8; BG,0 of 5.
Saves-UM, Blackburn-30-33; BG,Masters-3133.
Reeree-Steve Piotrowski
Linesmenw - Kevin Lagseth, Brian Troester
At Yost Ice Arena, AnnArborAtten e: 6,524.
SATURDAY'S GAME
Michigan 3, Bowling Green 2
By J. Brady McColough
Daily Sports Writer
After Friday night's 4-2 loss to Bowl-
ing Green, the Michigan hockey team
has a new appreci-
ation for the theory HOCKEY
that "you play how
you practice." Notebook
The Wolverines,
fresh off an emotional performance in a
1-1 tie against Michigan State last
weekend,=could not duplicate that same
intensity, execution and desire during
last week's practices - and it showed in
Friday's debacle.
"We were worried about this, not
because of (Michigan State) last week,
but because of the way the week was
going," Michigan coach Red Berenson
said. "You talk about practice in any
sport and it really translates into the
games because our practices just
seemed to deteriorate as the week went
on and that's how we played tonight"
The loss to the Falcons continued a
theme of the Wolverines' season - not
"coming to play" against lesser oppo-
nents at Yost Ice Arena. Michigan
underestimated Bowling Green, the
11th place team in the conference, just
as it did against Alaska-Fairbanks two
weekends before.
"Michigan State week we knew we
were going to have a tough game, so
every practice was intense and we really
came to work hard," freshman Michael
Woodford said. "This week, it was just
awful.
"When you play the second-to-last-
place team, and you're one of the top
teams, you want to bring the same
intensity every night. But you look at
the standings and you think you should
pad your stats that game."
With last-place Lake Superior loom-
ing this weekend for the Wolverines,
Berenson is expecting his team to be
focused on improving at practice - not
padding stats.
"We're looking for better execution,
better work ethic and more enthusiasm."
STILL THE CAPTAIN: In an otherwise
lackadaisical team performance on Fri-
day, Michigan captain Jed Ortmeyer was
his usual self, delivering jarring hits and
skating tirelessly every shift on the ice.
"I don't think there's a better leader in
college hockey than Jed Ortmeyer, and
just by the way he played tonight was
another example," Berenson said. "But
he can't do it for the young players, he
can't do it for the other upperclassmen,
and he can't do it for our defensemen
who are out of position or giving the
puck away."
Ortmeyer, by virtue of a collision in
Friday night's game, felt he might have
Mason wili
retire at end
of season
For the second time in three
weeks, a legendary college hockey
coach has made the decision to
retire at season's end.
Michigan State coach Ron Mason
announced Saturday that he will
end his coaching
career with the
Spartans and is
expected to be
named Michigan
State's new athletic
director today. Wis-
consin's coach Jeff
Sauer made the Ron Mason
same decision two weeks ago.
Mason will hang it up after 36
years at the helm (23 of which were
with the Spartans). During those
years, he has compiled 915 wins -
more than any other college hockey
coach in history.
The 62-year old has led the Spar-
tans to a NCAA Championship in
1986, along with seven CCHA
Championships. Before taking the
reign at Michigan State, Mason
took Bowling Green to the top of
the conference three times in his
tenure with the Falcons.
- Staff Reports
TOM FELDCKAMP/Daily
Freshman Dwight Helminen and the rest of the Wolverines were had trouble get-
ting through a Falcon defense that has surrendered 3.5 goals per game.
injured his left knee and did not dress
for Saturday's game. The junior forward
was sidelined during the second half of
last season due to an injury to his other
knee and did not want to risk any fur-
ther injury.
"I think it scared him," Berenson
said. ''We had an MRI last night and it
was fine. I don't expect him to be out
-firlong'-/
Saturday,,Ortmeyer made his pres-
ence felt in a different way, cheering on
his teammates from the benohead offer-
ing some advice when it was needed.
"I was just keeping them positive;"
Ortmeyer said. "I could see little things
behind the play that maybe they
wouldn't notice. I just wanted to help
out the team as much as I could."
FOLLOW THE LEADER: With his two-
goal effort in Saturday's 3-2 victory over
Bowling Green, Michigan defenseman
Mike Komisarek has scored more goals
(seven) than any other player at Yost this
season.
"The kid's got a dynamite shot,"
Berenson said. "When he shoots it, he
shoots it like a man. The first one was in
the net before the goalie could move.:
Komisarek has three two-goal games
at home on the season - each coming
on Saturday nights after Friday night
losses.
"It's something about Yost," Komis-
arek said. "I've never played in a place
with so much energy. I grew up playing
in front of my parents, that's about it."
GUTTING IT OUT: Michigan freshman
Eric Nystrom, who scored on Saturday
to mark his first goal since Dec. 15
against Harvard, has been playing with
an injured left ankle for the past two
weekends, and currently feels that it is
75-percent healthy.
"It's going to be sore for the rest of
the season probably, so I'll just have to
gut it out," Nystrom said.
Nystrom leads all freshman in scor-
ing with 15 points and is first amoung
active players in goals with nine. He has
A been playing on the first line with Jed
Ortmeyer since mid-October.
Where's the 'magic'?
This year's Wolverines have not had
the same success at Yost Ice Arena
as past Michigan team's have had.
Through 12 games, the team is at
.500 (5-5-2).
Home Record
Year After 12 games overall
2001-02 5-5-2 ?
2000-01 8-2-2 13-3-3
1999-00 9-3-0 15-5-1
1998-99 10-2-0 154-0
1997-98 10-2-0 154-0
1996-97 11-0-1 16-0-2
0
Bowling Green
Michigan
11 0 -2
1 11 -3
Fmstperiod - 1.BG, Leonard 5 (Brudzewski, Wetterberg),
6:43; 2. UM, Komisarek 7 (Ryznar,Vancik),13:28. Peni.
ties- BG, Moore (high stickirg), 16:11; UM, Woodfo~rd
(elbowing),16:11; UM, Shoun ia (high sticking), 16:48;
UM, Shouneyia (hit afterwhistle), 16:48;BG, Bieska (hit
after whistle), 16:48; UM, Gaic (hit after whistle), 16:48;
BG, Leonard (hit after whistle), 16:48.
Secondeod-3.Nystro9(Woodfrd, Komisarek),
5:10 (pp); 4. BG, McConwey 6 (Day, Hewson), 7:04. Pen&
Bies-BG, Moore (interference), 3:11; BG, Brudzewski
(crosschecking), 3:56.
Thrd pedod -5. Komisarek 8 (Shouneyia),16:32. Pena-
ties- BG, Wires(slashing), :18; UM,Werner (slashing),
1:16; BG, Wires (high sticking), 13:44; UM, Shouneyia
(roughing), 20:00; UM, Beksa (roughing), 20:00; UM,
Komisaek (roughing), 20:00; BG, Hewson (roughing),
20:00; UM, Nystrom (roughing), 2000; BG, Leonard (rough-
irg), 20:00; UM, Nystrom (10minute misconduct); BG,
Hewson (roughing), 20:00.
Sotaengal ,&10-7-25;BG, 4&U-23.
Paver Plays-UM,1of 4; BG,0of2.
Saves-UM, Blackbum-21-23; BG, Masters-22-25.
Reeree-Steve Piotrowski
Lk a mn - Kevin Langseth, Brian Troester
At Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor Attuidnce: 6,526.
AROUND THE CCHA
Michigan State took advantage
of Michigan's loss to Bowling
Green, as the Spartans extended
their lead to four points in the
CCHA with a sweep of Ohio State.
The Spartans won 3-1 on Friday
but turned on.the offensive fire-
power in a 5-1 on Saturday.
Junior forward Brian Maloney
RYAN LEVENTHAL/Daily
Michigan junior Mark Mink, who tallied an assist on Eric Werner's goal on Friday,
was one of the bright spots for Michigan.
their first weekend series of the
year, 1-0 and 5-3.
Michigan answered the call from
its leaders and coaches that week-
end and went 8-1-2 during the next
nine games.
The young Wolverines seemed to
have learned that they could not
underestimate any opponent and
that anyone could beat them if they
did.
Michigan had been humbled by
Northern Michigan and became a
blue-collar team, combining the
hard-nosed style of its captain Jed
Ortmeyer, with the playmaking
ability of Cammalleri. The Wolver-
ines started to grind along the
boards, fight for loose pucks and
became more physical - leading to
points on the scoreboard and in the
standings.
The team proved it was capable
of answering wakeup calls and
demonstrated what it could do
when playing with a purpose. Fri-
day night, they received another
wakeup call, but hit the snooze but-
ton as they came out flat on Satur-
day night, despite winning the
game 3-2.
If the Wolverines have any desire
to make the NCAA Tournament,
they are going to have to answer the
alarm and prove they can play the
physical style of hockey that made
them look like one of the top teams
in the nation.
(YCHA STANDINGS
U7CHA LEADERS~
C CH A ROU NDUIP
MIC -GAN ILEADERS
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