Sq ) jyb AIkbea WIt RTSz Sports desk 763-2459 sportsdesk@umich.edu SECTION B _. - F 5, t.<. 8 3 ex ... .«FS,: x.,.3 OJKu ___ A Icers finally conquer State By J. Brady McCollough Daily Sports Writer DETROIT - The CCHA regular season title was nice, but the Michigan hockey team still hadn't accomplished the one thing that could legitimize its entire sea- son - beating Michigan State. Last night, with the CCHA Tournament Championship on the line, the Wolverines finally put it all together against MCHGANSTATE 2 the Spartans, beat- ing their arch-rival MICHIGAN 3 3-2 to sweep the CCHA regular season and tournament Wtitles. "I can't tell you it was any special strat- egy," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "It was just a lot of character, hard work, leadership, poise and all the things that you need to have a winning team." Entering last night's contest, Michigan was 0-4-2 (0-1-2 this season) against Michigan State since its 4-3 overtime vic- tory on Jan. 27 of last season. In the teams' three previous meetings this sea- son, the Wolverines felt that they had out- played the Spartans, but were unable to score the key goals to take control and rat- tle Michigan State's All-CCHA goaltender Ryan Miller. "The things I've seen written about us against State, I think they're true," Michi- gan assistant coach Billy Powers said. "The record is crappy against them in the last six games. (Beating Michigan State) is something that we needed to do as a team to get over the hump. "We haven't played hopeless against them, but they've had an edge. Tonight we had a mental and physical edge. It was nice to find that." Leading Michigan State 3-2 with less than a minute to play, the Wolverines near- ly gave away their championship. Michi- gan defenseman Mike Komisarek had control of the puck in the Wolverines' zone with Miller out of the Spartans' net. Instead of lofting the puck or trying to score an empty-net goal, the sophomore iced the puck, giving Michigan State a 6- on-5 faceoff in the Michigan zone. With less than 20 seconds left in regula- tion, a scramble for the puck ensued in front of Michigan goaltender Josh Black- burn. The puck squirted away toward the senior, who did not cover up the puck but swatted it straight ahead - right to a Michigan State player. In the last 10 seconds, it was every man for himself, as the Spartans and Wolver- ines fought for possession of the puck, and more importantly, pride. Blackburn cov- ered the puck as the buzzer sounded, and the Wolverines - overcome with relief - rushed the ice as champions. "It was nuts," Michigan forward Milan Gajic said. "There were people and bodies flying everywhere. I honestly believe some would have given up their left leg to stop a See SPARTANS, Page 5B Captain or1tmeyer answers Blue'as call By Naweed Sikora Daily Sports Writer DETROIT - After yesterday's game, Michigan coach Red Beren- son sat next to his .captain Jed Ort- meyer with a small grin. Berenson never thought twice about naming him captain in the beginning of the season. Even though Ortmeyer was only a junior, Berenson knew he had chosen a player whom he could always count on in key situations. Ortmeyer's two-goal performance yesterday only reassured his coach's belief. Ortmeyer, Cammalleri and Black- burn "are players that can make a difference in a big game," Berenson said. "They had their chance this weekend, and I think they did that." With just over nine minutes passed in the second, and the score knotted at one, Ortmeyer stepped up to the right circle in the Michigan State zone preparing to take the faceoff. As the puck dropped, Michigan's captain sent it back to Cammalleri and then bolted for the net. Cammalleri fired a shot on Michigan State goalie Ryan Miller, who left a rebound out front. Ort- meyer was there to clean it up and give Michigan the 2-1 lead. "Ortmeyer is Ortmeyer," Michi- gan freshman Milan Gajic said. "He's there every game for us. He's never taken a game off, and he's the epitome of what we want out there." The Wolverines' 2-1 lead did not hold up, as a fluke goal by Michi- gan State later in the second tied it up. But in the third, Ortmeyer once again was able to give his team a lift. Less than five minutes into the third period, with Michigan on the powerplay, freshman Eric Nystrom received the puck in the corner. He wheeled around and spotted Ortmeyer See CAPTAIN, Page 463 AP PHOTO Texas' James Thomas and Chris Ogden celebrate after they beat No. 3 seed Mississippi State In Dallas yesterday. Undera ch ivers dominate earl s the dust settles on the first week of tournament action, the Big Dance has separated the contenders om the pretenders. Some of the remaining "con- tenders" got lucky (Connecticut), others got an easy draw (Arizona), and a couple advance simply by winning two home games (Illinois, Texas and Pittsburgh). It's kind of strange to see the Sweet Six- ( ? teen without Michigan State or Gonzaga, while random teams like Oregon (they have a basketball team there?) take their place. But Cincinnati still choked and Duke advanced, so every- thing appears to be normal in college basketball. Those who believe that there is a conspiracy favoring Duke found more ammo on Saturday when CBS took some liber- ties with the scoreboard, at one point showing the score as Duke 321, Notre Dame 61. Perhaps the giant blood stair on Mike Dunleavy's arse was worth 250 points. On the other hand, the network's tech boy could just be a complete idiot. In the game between UCLA and Cincinnati yesterday, a 3-pointer by UCLA somehow resulted in a two- point deduction for the Bruins and a six-point addition for the Bearcats. Despite the best efforts of ESPN (which gave "A Season on the Brink" more hype than anything in the entire history of hype), Bobby Knight's band of overachievers at Texas Tech could not live up to the unrealistic expectations of its many bandwagon fans. Indeed, this was a weekend that belonged to the under- achievers. No. 12 seed Missouri and No. 8 seed UCLA - two top-five teams earlier in the season - will meet in the West Regionals this week. Dan Gadzuric and Kareem Rush suddenly found a way to flip the switch back on after their teams self-destructed in conference play and dropped out of the polls. Missouri had little trouble with the nearly talentless Buck- eyes in round two, which, when combined with Wisconsin's See DANCE, Page 66 What was more special? Winning the Mason Cup or beating Michigan State, a team led by the trophy's namesake? 'Different' Navarre By Charles Paradis Daily Sports Writer Spring practices began for the Michigan football team over the weekend, and one of the questions everyone is curious about is who will be the starting quarterback when Michigan kicks off its season in a few months? On January 1, Michigan lost its first bowl game in four years. After the blowout loss to Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl, the quarterback position came under scrutiny. FOOTBALL Junior quarterback John Navarre led Notebook Michigan to an 8-4 record last season with 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions on the year. But Navarre will have some competition with spring practice over the next few weeks. "We go in with the idea that we are going to compete," Carr said. "It doesn't matter where your mind is based on what you think is going to happen. The key is what you do on the field on a daily basis." This spring is a chance for Navarre to show the coaches how much he has Sirnn- -f imnornved _ in the offseason. Navarre has dr and, according to the coach 40-yard dash time is fastert posted by Brian Griese an when they played at Mich has also worked with the back's coach Scott Loef improve the technical aspect "A part of what you try to and what you hope your pla the calm of an offseason is self objectively," Carr said." ier to look at yourself criti you have more time and yo stress of the season and you to study yourself. I thinkc (Navarre) the first thing ye that he looks a lot differen extremely hard in the offseas One up-and-coming play vie for some snaps is Spe The transfer from San Dieg year off from college footb Mormon mission and is jus ing acclimated to the Michig "I think he feels more con what we are doing and is m terms of the terminologys things, like checks at thel mage that must h edone nric fighting for job opped weight Carr said. "I think he is ready to compete." hing staff, his CENTER STAGE: Prior to the beginning of than the times last season, defensive lineman Dave d Tom Brady Petruziello moved over to the offensive igan. Navarre line because of the loss of four offensive new quarter- lineman to the NFL. ffler to help This spring, Carr is moving Dave Pear- of his game. son, another defensive lineman, over to do as a coach offensive line because of the depth at yers will do in defensive line and Pearson's hard-nosed look at your- style and attitude. "It's much eas- "I felt from the day that he got here that ically because (Pearson) was a good football player. I u're not in the think that he has developed physically now have a chance and sizewise," Carr said. "We have very when you see good depth in the defensive line and I ou'll notice is think that Dave brings a temperament to nt. He worked the offensive line that I think we need and son." that I think will help us offensively." er who could Pearson will compete with fellow junior ncer Brinton. Courtney Morgan and Andy Christopfe o State took a for the starting center position. all while on a ON THE SIDELINES: Last Friday, Carr offi- t now becom- cially announced all of the major coaching an system. staff changes that have taken place this mfortable with offseason. With Terry Malone talking over lore assured in as offensive coordinator, Andy Moeller , and the little son of former Michigan coach Gary line of scrim- Moeller, will assume interior line respon- r to the snaw" sibilities. This weekend, the Michigan football team hit the practice field for the first time In 200;. After a disappointing performance In the Citrus Bowl, the Wolverines are anxious to start anew. I