U' be 1Mtrbu m~uiIp SPORTS TUESDAY MARCH 19, 2002 11 sportsdesk@umich.edu I I Unheralded Burnes anchors the blueline ARUN GOPAL By Naweed Sikora Daily Sports Writer Most hockey players take pride in their ability to put the puck in the net. Michigan defenseman Andy Burnes takes pride in stopping those players. He has always abided by the law that even though the offense gets the glory, it's defense that wins the game. Burnes, who came to Michigan last season along with fellow defenseman Mike Komisarek, has quietly matured into one of Michigan coach Red Berenson's most consistent, physical blueliners. He doesn't get his name mentioned on the scoresheet very often, but he has been a leader and a reliable player down the stretch. "I'm more of a stay-at-home defenseman," Burnes said. "I take pride in keeping the puck out of the net, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to do that." "He's been solid as a rock," Beren- son said. "I can't tell you that there is a defenseman on this team that has played better with or without the puck than him." Not blessed with the size or strength that some of his teammates possess, Burnes has made a living with a tenacious work -ethic and a desire to stop everything that comes his way. "He's one of the hardest workers you will every see," Michigan defenseman Mike Roemensky said. "He puts his heart and soul into every game, and he's playing like a real man out there right now." Prior to each game, Burnes lines up at the blue line for the national anthem. While standing across from the other team, he is already thinking about the task at hand. "When I line up for the national anthem, I look at the other team and tell myself that none of those guys are going to beat me tonight," he said. "I'm determined to not get beat." Although his desire and determina- tion have won the respect of his team- mates, Burnes' quiet style of play has prevented him from capturing much national attention. Most of that praise has gone to his good friend and fellow sophomore, Komisarek. But the lack of recognition from outside the team is not a concern for Burnes, who Berenson said is "someone who truly embodies this team." "I don't think Andy is worried about personal attention," Berenson said. "He knows that he is playing well, and he knows that we know. That's what is important." As a freshman last season, Burnes played in 41 games for the Wolver- ines. Although he didn't always have West too tough for 'M' to repeat 1998 title run I'" r "W ''"/ Daly Although he doesn't get that much recognition, Andy Burnes has been a steady force on the blueline for Michigan all season. the opportunity to play alongside an experienced defenseman, he quickly evolved into a leader himself by play- ing sound, fundamental defense. Since he is not usually the biggest guy on the ice, Burnes focuses on making the smart play. He takes cau- tion before jumping into any offensive rushes and always maintains good position against opposing forwards. "He has great defensive instincts," Berenson said. "He plays his position better than everyone, his priorities are always right, he never gets caught fishing for the puck and he keeps his man out of the play." Said Burnes: "I'm going to win every race that I can and work my hardest. Being a defenseman is not. always making highlight-reel hits. It's just taking guys out of the play and keeping them away from the net. It's hard to notice, but it's what counts in the end." 11 season long, people have been making comparisons between s year's Michigan hockey team and the 1997-98 squad which made a miraculous run to the national title. In fairness, the parallels are hard not to see. The 1997 team featured a mas- sive freshman class stepping in for an equally massive departed senior class, which is what happened this year. With so many new players, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the '97 squad had an up-and-down season (although that appears to have become the trend for Michigan hockey in recent years). One week the Wolverines would look like world-beaters, and the next week they'd get swept by some CCHA bottom-feed- er. The same type of thing happened this year. Maybe the most glaring similarity between the two seasons, something that had to have fans of this year's team salivating, was the location of the NCAA West Regional. Since college hockey thrives on such a niche market, it is common for the NCAA to place the West Regional on a campus and then to place that school's team in the regional (the East Regional is almost annually played in Worcester, Mass., since half of the eastern teams seem to be from Massachusetts). This practice ensures good turnout at the games, which means that the NCAA can hope to at least break even. In 1998, Michigan entered the NCAAs as an underdog and was seeded third in the West. But, the Wolverines got to host the West Regional at Yost Ice Arena, and the home-ice advantage was almost solely responsible for the Wolverines' come-from-behind win over No. 2 seed North Dakota in the quarterfinals. If that game had been played anywhere else in America, the Fighting Sioux, who got a bye in the first round, would have crushed Michi- gan - which had to beat Princeton in the first round -but the raucous crowd at Yost enabled the Wolverines to come back from a two-goal deficit in the third period for perhaps the greatest win Michigan has ever had at Yost. This year, the West Regional is returning to Yost, and Michigan is the fourth seed. Again, the Wolverines are an underdog, but since they're playing at Yost, it's only natural to expect them to continue the eerie similarities to 1998 and advance to the Frozen Four, right? Unfortunately, it's not going to be that easy for Michigan. As a matter of fact, I don't think the Wolverines have any shot at making the Frozen Four. This isn't Michigan's fault, mind you. One would think that sweeping the CCHA regular season and tournament titles would get you some respect from the NCAA selection committee, but the Wolverines were hit with a double- whammy yesterday when the brackets were announced. First, Michigan found out that it was seeded fourth, which meant two things - the Wolverines wouldn't have a first-round bye, and they would miss the chance to play sixth-seeded Colorado College, which is the "weakest" team in the West Regional. Instead, Michigan drew No. 5 seed St. Cloud State. The Huskies were ranked in the top five for most of the season, and they have a huge chip on their shoulders from last year's West Regional, when Michigan shocked St. See GOPAL, Page 12 Checking playing big role at end of season By Seth Klempner Daily Sports Writer Outside of a goal, there is no play in hockey that will send a crowd into a climactic frenzy more than a bone-breaking, leg- loosening, concussion-causing hit. Nor is there any play in hockey that can change the tide of a game without ever stopping the flow more than a good hit. "You stand above (the player you hit) and taunt him and rub it in his face," Michigan defense- man Mike Komisarek said. "A big hit can change the tide of the game and give your team a big boost. It get guys on the bench excited and can be just as impor- tant as scoring a big goal." If delivered when a team is struggling, tired or lacking momentum, a strong check can provide a boost. In addition, hits can also free up pucks and create turnovers leading to odd- man rushes and scoring opportunities. Along with the immediate effects of a hit, there are long- term consequences. Knowing that a 200-pound forward or defense- man is looking to pancake you against the glass is enough to make any player take a second look over his shoulder. This threat is even enough to make Komis- arek, Michigan's version of World's Strongest Man Champion Magnus Ver Magnusson, fear the effects of not keeping his head up and receiving a blow. "I know when I go back for the puck and I think I am going to be hit, I hesitate a little bit and take that extra look over my shoulder to make sure that I make the play quick enough," Komisarek said. These clobberings can force a team's best player to make a play quicker, which can force him out of his comfort zone. This makes it a necessity to have a team's best players also be some of its biggest. Despite Michigan forward Mike Cammal- leri's diminutive height, he weighs one pound more than fellow jun-, ior Jed Ortmeyer, who is often the first Wolverine to level an oppo- nent. The physical exhaustion from continued hard checking can quickly wear a team down, espe- cially late in the season, creating opportunities for the other team. This elevates the importance of finishing checks and riding a man out of a play. But regardless of how hard or often a team is hitting its oppo- nent, those checks won't matter if players are out of position, some- thing that can happen when play- ers are looking for a big hit or are See CHECKING, Page 13 So you want to be a doctor... Applying to medical school? Credential review Application assistance Personal, individual advising Judith K. Levine www.PremedAdvising.com (914)631-7996 Former medical school director of admissions ADVISING SERVICES Mike Cammalleri Is a relatively small guy, so he Is very susceptible to getting crushed by a bigger player with a hard bodycheck. I r Leveque takes mound for the home opener M=09 >ever dO itw e UNIVERSITY FOUNDED BY1 OF PENNSYLVANIA BEN FRANKLIN - 1740 PENN By Chodes Pradis Daily Sports Writer Wolverine fans will have their first chance to root for the home team today, when the Michigan baseball team (2-10) takes on Bowling Green (6-9) in the home opener at Ray Fisher Stadium at 3 p.m. "Well, it is great for us to have a home game;" inter- RAY FISHi im coach Chris Harrison Who: Michig said. "It's real good to have Bowling Gre a game on our field." When: 3 p.m The Wolverines are Latest: Interi returning home from a Harrison will tough stint in San Antonio, home debut. where Michigan managed to steal one game from the Roadrunners in a three-game series. The lone win came on a shutout by ace Bobby Korecky. The beginning of the season has been rough on the Wolverines, who have only been able to capture two wins so far - the victory over Texas-San Antonio and ER an ben im c be mistakes this afternoon. Michigan has been plagued by errors all season. In just 12 outings, the Wolverines have commit- ted 32 miscues, which have resulted in 33 unearned runs. Michigan also hopes to take advantage of the home environment for the first time this season and the first time under interim coach Harrison. "We're excited and we're STADIUM concerned that we execute (240) vs. and that we do things well, (6-9) that we pitch well, hit well and don't make many coach Chris errors," Harrison said. making his Taking the mound today for the Wolverines will be junior Tim Leveque, who will be making his 30th appearance with the Maize and Blue. The right-handed hurler is currently 1-0 on the season with a 10.12 ERA. Leveque has struck out nine batters in eight innings this season, but he has also walked nine in that time. Korecky, the team's No. 1 starter last S U M M E R S I D E U P >tour the world, save big bucks and get friendly with people your own age. contiki has 100 worldwide trips to choose from. australia from $55 a day! what on earth are you waiting for?!??!!! yJA ~ > territory & outback > beaches & reefs 12 days from $715 14 days from $770 rm eArifaa i- slcns w aar Summer Session I May 20-june 28 Summer Session I July I-August 9 12 Week Evening Session May 20-August 9 " rrimrhia I .r R.D-.a aaof nircar