w qw - w IW .. - ... IW 2B - The Michigan Daily - FACEOFF 2003 - Thursday, October 9, 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS Gunslinger 3B Jeff Tambellini is one of this year's young stars. Find out how his hard work and determination have lead to success. The Magnificent Seven 4B-5B A closer look at the seven "magnificent" freshmen on this year's roster and some of their favorite things in life. A new sheriff in town 6B Jed Ortmeyer was everything one could ask for in a captain. Now it's Andy Burnes' turn, and he's ready to step up. 200-04 RoSTER Thursday, October 9, 2003 - FA Icers searching for rSM the Final solution N WA I Solving the Frozen Four puzzle After three consecutive seasons of losing in the Frozen Four semifinal game, this year's team looks to buck that trend. 7B Season Predictions The Daily's hockey writers make their fearless upcoming season. 8B predictions for the DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily Red Berenson is in his 20th season as the main man behind Michigan's bench. Daily Hockey Writers Gennaro Filice Sharad Mattu Michael Nisson Brian Schick Managing Sports Editor J. Brady McCollough Editor in Chief Louie Meizlish Photo Editor/ Tony Ding Cover Photo Business Manager Anne Sause Display Sales Manager Leah Trzcinski Ad Design Manager Adrienne Barclay Display Sales Account Executives: Jeffrey Braun, Lynne Chaimowitz, Tera Free- man, Sarah Hoopfer, Ahrim Hwang, Erin Ott. No. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 30 34 35 Name Nick Martens Eric Werner Andy Burnes Brandon Rogers Matt Hunwick T.J. Hensick Jason Dest Milan Gajic Dwight Helminen Joe Kautz Mike Brown Brandon Kaleniecki Jeff Tambellini David Rohlfs Michael Woodford David Moss Andrew Ebbett Charlie Henderson Eric Nystrom Jason Ryznar David Wyzgowski Tim Cook Mike Mayhew Noah Ruden Al Montoya Pos. D D D D D F D F F F F F F F F F F F F F D/F D G G G Class Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. So. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Height 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-2 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-0 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-9 5-11 6-3 6-0 6-3 5-9 5-10 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-2 Weight 198 170 190 192 189 180 182 200 193 197 212 193 185 225 190 196 170 176 205 205 195 215 175 170 185 I I By Michael Nisson Daily Sports Writer For most college hockey teams, getting to the Frozen Four three years in a row would be a fantastic stretch of postseason runs. For the Michigan hockey team, it's actually a source of both happiness and despair. That's becausetthe Frozen Four has not been kind to the Wolverines in the past three years.Each time Michigan has hit the postseason ice with high expectations, only to be rudely shown the door by the eventual national champion in the semifinal game. It has gotten a little old, if not annoying. "It's almost worse (than not getting to the Frozen Four)," junior alternate captain Eric Nystrom said. "There are four teams left in the whole NCAAs that are still playing, and it's an honor to be there, but the ultimate goal is to win (the championship game)." Perhaps the hardest thing to under- stand about Michigan's semifinal FRIGHTFUL FOUR The semifinal game of the Frozen Four has been a stumbling block for the Wolverines in the past three seasons. 2003: Minnesota 3, Michigan 2 (OT) Recap: A 2-0 lead wasn't enough to stop the Gophers, as they scored three straight goals. 2002: Minnesota 3, Michigan 2 Recap: The Wolverines scored two goals in the third period, but it was too little, too late. 2001: Boston College 4, Michigan 2 Recap: The Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead and weathered a Michigan comeback in the third period. game woes is that there is no one answer to the problem. "If I knew the answer, then we'd have won a couple more (national championships)," associate head coach Mel Pearson joked. "I think all you can do is make sure that you have high expectations for your team, set the bar high and then you play consistently through the year." Michigan coach Red Berenson put it more simply. "It's just that one game - having that good game," Berenson said of the semifinal game. Berenson noted that the two teams he has coached to the national cham- pionship, the 1996 and 1998 squads, were playing their best hockey when they reached the Frozen Four. "When I think back to the years that we went to the final game, we just smoked New Hampshire (in the 1998 semifinal) and we smoked (Boston University in 1996 semifinal)." Michigan dominated both of those games, winning 4-0 in each contest. In contrast, the Wolverines have lost their last three semifinal games, with the last two defeats coming at the hands of Minnesota. Senior captain Andy Burnes gave yet another version of what needs to happen this time around. "It starts right now," Burnes said. "Everything that we're doing right now, preparing for the season, estab- lishing what it's going to take, devel- oping new habits and the little things that we're getting going right now is all building a good foundation, and that's the most important part of (win- ning the national championship)." While the players and coaches may have different opinions on what the problem is, they are all hungry to advance one game farther. "I don't think the word around the team is 'CCHA First Place, CCHA Playoffs,' " Nystrom said. "It's a m DANNY MOLOSHOK/D Michigan looks to exorcise the demons from the semifinal game of the Frozen Four, where it has failed to advance in three consecutive seasons. national championship race. At t end of the year, we want to be back that Frozen Four, and we want to w it this year." Burnes took that comment one st further. "(Not getting to the champions- game) is a burning feeling insid< Burnes said. "It motivates you mc than anything. It's something yc think about all offseason when you working out in the weight room a doing off-ice training." The season may be young, but t feeling is old. One team w inevitably catch fire at the end of t season, and the Wolverines just ho it's finally them. Head Coach Associate Head Coach Assistant Coach Goaltending Coach Red Berenson Mel Pearson Billy Powers Stan Matwijiw I BOSTON UNIVERSITY A" "CN-ECK YouR H.-UNGER }-MEE! "Don't et, your A RBERS ESTABLISHED 1939 304 1 /2 S. STATE ST. 2ND FLooR ANN ARBOR, MI 48104 668 9329 WW W.DASCOLABARBERS. 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