10 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, January 29, 2002 Fellow coaches love selection of Mason MASON Continued from Page 9 director position is one that was met with a very posi- tive reaction from the other Michigan State coaches in attendance at Mason's press conference. "The fact that we've hired someone that really knows the coaches and the university and the lay of the land of the administration is really key," said Michigan State football coach Bobby Williams. "Now (Mason) can step into that role and really take this program to the next level." Said Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo: "Ron and I have been friends for 18 years, and I am happy for him if it is really what he wants, and it seems like it is. The stepping down of Mason will also end the fierce rivalry that has blossomed between himself and Michi- gan coach Red Berenson. In the 18 years that Berenson's Michigan career has overlapped with Mason's Michigan State career, the Spartans have a 39-29-6 advantage in the series. "I was surprised - we're not done yet, but after this year it'll be different," Berenson said. "I think he'll be a good administrator and a good athletic director and he could be a real force for (college hockey) in the big picture." With the legendary Mason leaving at the end of the year, this team will be his last shot to capture his sec- ond national title. He won his lone NCAA Champi- onship in 1986. "I think that it's just an extra motivator," said Michi- gan State senior forward Adam Hall about the pressure of being Mason's last team. "Seeing how much hard work he's put into this team over the last four years and knowing that that's been there the entire 23 seasons, I think that is just all that much more motivating for the team" Defense provides offensive spark By Seth Klempner. Daily Sports Writer With many of Michigan's forwards struggling to find their offense this past weekend, it HOCKEY was the Michigan Notebook defensemen which stepped up to pro- vide the punch. The blueliners netted four of Michigan's five goals and all of its even-strength goals. The goals came in all shapes and varieties. Eric Werner's shorthanded goal came when the wily defenseman pinched in to grab a loose puck and fired it past Bowling Green goaltender Tyler Master. While the freshman has 11 assists on the season, that was just his second goal. "We need that because we are not getting a lot of offensive production from our forwards right now," coach Red Berenson said. Up to this point in the season, the Michigan defense has scored 14 goals, accounting for 15 percent of the Wolverines' total offensive pro- duction. Making last weekend's offen- sive flare-up even more unusual is that up-ice rushes instead of screened shots from the point produced the goals. Even sophomore Mike Komisarek, who is considered to have one of the stronger slapshots on the team, took the puck from his blue line to the Bowling Green circle untouched where he knocked in his own rebound to score his first goal since the end of November. "We are not preaching offense to our defense, but our defense is getting more opportunities now just because of the way the game is played," Beren- son said. "There is so much pressure on the. forwards down low, and when they get the puck back to the defense, their shots can be dangerous." Michigan is not the only CCHA team that has been receiving offense from its defense. Michigan State uses a system that has relied heavily on its blueliners for scoring this year. The Spartans have received 25 goals fro their defense this year, accounting fi 27 percent of their total offensive pr duction. DROPPING THE PUCK: One o most overlooked but important aspec of the game is the faceoff. While t team rarely participates in facec drills, Berenson, a former center, re ognizes the importance of winning t opening draw. Faceoffs are about "intensity, se ond efforts and guys helping," Bere son said. "If the centermen (tie ea other) up and the puck is loose, ti first player to the puck (wins) draw. So if the puck is available, about which tean is hungrier, whi team is more ready for the faceoff." Michigan struggled to win faceof on Friday night, as the Spartans to( 37 of 70 drops. But the Wolverin rebounded Saturday night and won more faceoffs than the Falcons. Junior John Shouneyia led Mich gan in faceoff wins with 25 this wee end. He leads Michigan wie 261-191 faceoff record. AP PHOTO Michigan State hockey coach Ron Mason will still be in East Lansing next year, but he will not be coaching hockey. N Yes! Financial aid is available to assist UM students participating in UM study abroad road d.htm. STUDY IN JAPAN & LYf.lMIIx'M '1_t . 74H*1c'9- programs . .. 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