100%

Scanned image of the page. Keyboard directions: use + to zoom in, - to zoom out, arrow keys to pan inside the viewer.

Page Options

Download this Issue

Share

Something wrong?

Something wrong with this page? Report problem.

Rights / Permissions

This collection, digitized in collaboration with the Michigan Daily and the Board for Student Publications, contains materials that are protected by copyright law. Access to these materials is provided for non-profit educational and research purposes. If you use an item from this collection, it is your responsibility to consider the work's copyright status and obtain any required permission.

January 12, 2004 - Image 12

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Michigan Daily, 2004-01-12

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - January 12, 2004

Friday's game
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Saturday's game

2
3

3/ f £, ;
£' £
:# .:>

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

1
7

6

SATURDAY' SGAME
MWhian 7, Ohio State 1
Michigan 3 2 2 - 7
Ohio State 1 0 0 - 1
First period - 1, MICH, Dwight Helminen 4 (Jeff Tarn-
bellini) 0:56; 2. MICH, Milan Gajic 6 (TJ. Hensick)
2:44; 3. OSU, Rod Pelley 6 (Andrew Schembri) 8:42;
4. MICH, Brandon Kaleniecki 7 (TJ. Hensick) 15:45.
Penalties - Andy Burnes, MICH (cross checking)
7:12; Paul Caponigri, OSU (holding) 14:17; Scott May,
OSU (roughing) 19:11; Brandon Kaleniecki, MICH
(roughing) 19:11; Scott May, OSU (high sticking)
19:11.
Second period - 5. MICH, Dwight Helminen 5 (unas-
sisted) 3:20; 6. MICH, Mike Brown 4 (Jason Ryznar)
6:53 . Penalties - Bryce Anderson, OSU (slashing)
7:12; Nick Martens, MICH (slashing) 5:03; Nick
Martens, MICH (roughing) 5:03; Daymen Bencharski,
OSU (cross checking) 6:36; Nate Guenin, OSU
(elbowing) 7:23; Doug Andress, OSU (holding) 14:06;
Nate Guenin, OSU (roughing) 14:36; Eric Nystrom,
MICH (roughing) 14:36; Nate Guenin, OSU (roughing)
14:36; Eric Nystrom, MICH (roughing) 14:36; Nate
Guenin, OSU (cross-checking) 14:36; Nate Guenin,
OSU (10-minute misconduct) 14:36; Eric Nystrom,
MICH (10-minute misconduct) 14:36; Nate Guenin,
OSU (game misconduct) 14:36; Eric Nystrom, MICh
(game misconduct) 14:36; Eric Werner. MICH (tip-
ping) 19:28.
Third period - 7, MICH, Dwight Helminen 6 (Mike
Brown) 7:50, 8. MICH , Dwight Helminen 7 (Matt
Hunwick) 10:42. Penalties - Jason Dest, MICH (trip-
ping) 2:16; Nick Martens, MICH (high sticking) 6:00;
Dan Knapp, OSU (slashing) 10:16; Mike Brown, MICH
(roughing) 10:51; Chris Olsgard, OSU (roughing)
13:31; Michael Woodford, Jr., MICH (roughing) 13:31;
Andrew Ebbett, MICH (high sticking) 16:07; Chris
Qsgard, OSU (high sticking) 16:07;
Andrew Ebbett, MICH (10-minute misconduct) 16:07;
Chris Olsgard, OSU (10-minute misconduct) 16:07.
Shots on goal: MICH 9-17-2 28; OSU 6-4-6 16. Power
piays: MICH 2 of 7; OSU 1 of 6. Saves - MICH, Al
Montoya (5-4-2) - 11; OSU, Mike Betz (6-5) - 11;
Dave Caruso (0-10-0) -10
Referee: Matt Shegos.
At: Yost Ice Arena
Attendance: 6,859.
FRIDAY'S GAME
Michigan 3, OhIo State 2
Ohio State 0 2 0 - 2
Michigan 1 1 1 - 3
First period - 1. MICH, Eric Nystrom 7 (Milan Gajic)
4:32. Penalties - Matt Waddell, OSU (hooking) 2:53;
Jason Ryznar, MICH (roughing) 8:58; Scott May (hold-
ing the stick) 12:21; Al Montoya, MICH (tripping)
17:43; Matt Beaudoin, OSU (hit after whistle) 20:00;
Andy Burnes, MICH (hit after whistle) 20:00.
Second period - 2. OSU, Rod Peley 5 (Paul Caponi-
gri) 7:52, 3. OSU Dan Knapp 4 (Nate Guenin) 9:09,
4. MICH, Milan Gajic 5 (Matt Hunwick) 17:51. Penai-
ties - Team, OSU (too many men on ice) 2:48; Paul
Caponigri, OSU (tripping) 8:37; Milan Gajic, MICH
(cross-checking) 9:54; Chris Olsgad, OSU (holding
the stick) 12:46; Eric Werner, MICH (interference)
15:05; Daymen Bencharski, OSU (elbowing) 15:30;
Doug Andress,0SU (slashing) 16:32.
Third period - 5. MICH, Jason Ryznar 2 (Andrew
Ebbett) 6:23. Penalties - Paul Caponigri, OSU
(hooking) 9:38
Shots on goal: OSU 10-11-8 29; MICH 8-15-6 29. Power
plays: OSU 0 of 4; MICH 2 of 8. Saves - OSU, Mike
Betz (7-14-5) -26; MICH, Al Montoya (109-8) -
27.
Referee: Steve Piotrowski.
At: Yost Ice Arena
Attendance: 6,915.

With consistency, Blue should take CCHA crown

GENNARO FIucE
ON ICE HOCMY

I thought Michigan wasn't playing the high schoolers 'till
next week ...
Though a week away from its exhibition matchup against
the United States Under-18 team, Michigan made Ohio State
look like a group of inexperienced high-school all-stars in its
7-1 shellacking of the 10th-ranked Buckeyes Saturday.
The Wolverines dominated in every facet of the game, from
puck drop to clock stop. Overwhelming offensive fluidity cre-
ated numerous scoring chances, while the hard-hitting defense
stifled Ohio State, allowing just 16 shots on goal. And Michi-
gan's special teams produced three goals and five penalty kills.
The Wolverines thoroughly outworked Ohio State, collecting
almost every loose puck, while keeping turnovers at a mini-
mum. Al Montoya continued a hot streak that began last
month in the World Junior Championship tournament. Jason
Ryznar - who looks like he has kicked nagging shoulder
injuries - annihilated every Buckeye that crossed his path.
And numerous Wolverines played their finest game of the sea-
son, including Dwight Helminen, who almost burned a hole in
the Buckeye net with his four goals.
Overall, this matchup between two of the nation's top-10 -
teams was laughably one-sided.
After its most impressive weekend of the season - which
also included a 3-2 win over Ohio State on Friday - Michi-
gan finds itself tied for first place with Miami in the Central
Collegiate Hockey Association standings. And, if Michigan
plays up to its potential - as it absolutely did Saturday night
- there is no reason why the Wolverines should find them-
selves at any other position when conference play ends in two
months.
"That's the best team we've played all year," Ohio State
coach John Markell said following Saturday night's game.
"We've played No. 3 Cornell and all that. If they can continue
with that kind of energy and that kind of game, then there's no
doubt in my mind that they can be one of the top two teams in
the nation."
Michigan's had the potential to be class of the CCHA since
day one ... and earlier. In both the preseason media and
CCHA coaches polls, Michigan was the overwhelming choice
for conference champion. The Wolverines garnered national

respect as well, ranked preseason No. 2 by both major college
hockey polls (USA Today/American Hockey Magazine and
U.S. College Hockey Online).
But, the Wolverines have battled inconsistency all year.
So far in Michigan's roller-coaster season, the Wolverines
have struggled in many areas. The powerplay had a streak in
which it failed to score in 29 straight tries, the defense has suf-
fered through some significant breakdowns and Tambellini -
last year's team points leader - had a six-game stretch with-
out a goal or assist.
This erratic play has led to Jekyll and Hyde syndrome -
impressive wins quickly followed by notable losses.
In the CCHA opener, Oct. 10, Michigan looked unin-
spired and Miami coasted on its home ice to an 8-3 win.
Having beaten Miami in 14 straight contests dating back to
1998, the Wolverines looked as though they underestimated
the RedHawks. Following this game, Michigan went on a
six-game win streak - pushing the notion that the opener
was a fluke.
Then, on Nov. 7 at Ferris State, Montoya and the Michigan
defense gave up an uncharacteristic six goals - five of which
came in the second period - handing the struggling Bulldogs
just their third win of the season.
A week later, Michigan hammered Ohio State, 4-0, in the
weekend opener, but failed to show up the next day, losing 5-2
in a lackluster showing. A seven-goal turnaround overnight?
The Wolverines continued their downward spiral as host of the
College Hockey Showcase, dropping games to Wisconsin and
Minnesota, 3-1 and 4-2, respectively.
Since the Showcase, Michigan has gone 5-2-1. The Wolver-
ines' two losses came in a tough loss at Michigan State and a
defeat against a very good Boston College team - a game
which, due to World Juniors, Michigan played without starters
Jeff Tambellini, Al Montoya and Matt Hunwick.
But, through all of their inconsistencies, the Wolverines cur-
rently sit atop the CCHA. And the Wolverines are fresh off
their most well-rounded series of the year. A series in which
Michigan showed it's among the nation's elite.
Besides one game at Michigan State, the Wolverines'
remaining schedule looks very favorable.
Should Michigan win the CCHA? Yes. Will they? If this
weekend's dismissal of Ohio State showed the Wolverines'
true colors instead of a peak in an inconsistent season ...
Definitely.

41

6
e

DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily
Sophomore Brandon Kaleniecki introduces himself to Ohio State's Scott May, who
Is then Introduced to the Yost Arena ice surface.

Tambellini turns down WHL offer

By Sharad Mattu
Daily Sports Writer

Player
Hensick
Ebbett
Tambellini
Nystrom
Rogers
Kaleniecki
Werner
Gajic
Helminen
Hunwick
Moss
Brown
Ryznar
Rohlfs
Woodford
Henderson
Martens
Kautz
Dest
Cook
Burnes
Wyzgowski
Montoya
TOTALS
dlye'
Montoya
Ruden
Mayhew
TOTALS

GP
22
22
18
22
22
22
21
19
20
20
17
22
15
22
20
11
18
5
21
18
18
5
20
GP
20
5
1
22

STATS

G
7
4
9
7
3
7
6
6
7
0
2
4
2
4
0
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
72
GA
47
7
1
55

A Pts +/- PIM Sht
16 23 1 12 67
13 17 4 28 52
5 14 -4 10 88
6 13 -5 36 44
9 12 E 28 42
5 12 4 24 75
6 12 -5 18 34
6 12 -1 18 49
5 12 -2 0 60
9 9 4 26 22
6 8 -5 6 33
3 7 2 18 57
5 7 5 8 21
1 5 2 8 34
4 4 -5 14 30
2 4 2 8 17
3 4 -2 24 18
1 2 4 4 8
1 1 3 17 8
1 1 6 20 12
0 0 4 14 11
0 0 E 8 2
0 0 - 12 0
107 179 10 365 784
Avg Svs Pct Mins
2.41 461 .9071172:32
3.09 57 .891136:08
3.54 12 .923 16:56
2.50 530 .902:1327A8

When Jeff Tambellini left Ann Arbor a month ago for Team
Canada's World Junior Championship selection camp, he had
gone six games without a point and seen his shot attempt
totals take a dive.
But after making the team and tallying two
goals and three assists in six games, Tam- o .'
bellini has spent the last week fending off 9$ p i
invitations to join the Kelowna Rockets of
the Western Hockey League.
Last Thursday the Rockets acquired the
rights to Tambellini from the Spokane Chiefs and made a push
to have him join the team this year.
"I wasn't surprised at all," the sophomore forward said of
the trade. "I knew that was coming. They're making a push for
it.
"It's kind of neat - I've never been traded before. I got a
couple of calls from those guys, but this is where I came to
play."
The Rockets' president and general manager, Bruce Hamil-
ton, admitted that convincing him to join the team this season
was a longshot, but went after him anyway.
If Tambellini, who was selected No. 27 in the first round by
the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL Draft last year, had wanted
to play for the Rockets this season, then Saturday's game
against Ohio State would have been his last game with Michi-
gan.
But Tambellini, whose two assists Saturday were his first
points for the Wolverines since Nov. 8, isn't going anywhere
and will continue to don the maize and blue.
"You always listen to what everybody's got to say, but when

it comes down to it, you have to look at what the best situation
is," Tambellini said. "I felt that leaving school ... doesn't do
anything for me at all. This is the place I want to be at. It's a
great atmosphere."
The Wolverines have grown accustomed to seeing players
leave early. Since 2000, Mike Comrie, Mike Komisarek and
Mike Cammalleri have all left Michigan early for the NHL,
and just before this season began, former defenseman Danny
Richmond left Michigan to join the London Knights of the
Ontario Hockey League.
JUNIOR ROLE PLAYERS PROVIDE DIFFERENCE: Until this week-
end, Michigan had struggled to reach the lofty expectations it
had set at the start of the season and was in sixth place in the
CCHA. But, with the entire roster now healthy and in the
country, the Wolverines hope that the quality of their depth
can separate them from the rest of the conference. With this
weekend's sweep, they have already stormed up to a first-place
tie with Miami at 9-4-1 in conference play.
In Friday's 3-2 win, juniors Milan Gajic and Jason Ryznar
led Michigan back from a 2-1 deficit, and on Saturday, Dwight
Helminen's four goals paced the Wolverines' romp.
The trio has gone through struggles and had to sit out games
at different times this season, but these setbacks are a thing of
the past. Another junior, center David Moss, returned this
weekend from a high ankle sprain that had kept him out since
Dec. 5 against Michigan State.
"We don't know what the potential of this team is," Michi-
gan coach Red Berenson said. "But when guys like Ryznar
and Gajic and Helminen start scoring ... that just improves the
chances of (us) being a better team."
MOCKING BUCKEYES IN STYLE AT YosT: Michigan and Ohio
State are fierce rivals on the football field, and throughout
the weekend, people at Yost Ice Arena spent plenty of time

j

JOEL FRIEDMAN/Daily
Sophomore forward Jeff Tambellini, back with Michigan after a month
with Team Canada, had his major junior rights traded last Thursday.
reminding the Buckeyes what happened in Michigan Stadium
on Nov. 22.
During one of the quieter moments of Friday's game against
Ohio State, public address announcer Scott Spooner sent the
unsuspecting crowd into a tizzy when he reported that, "In
earlier action: Ohio State 21, Michigan 35."
In Saturday's rout the student section spent much of the
third period chanting, "Just like football!"

0

CCHA STANDINGS

Team
Michigan
Miami
Michigan State
Ohio State
Northern Michigan
Alaska-Fairbanks
Western Michigan
Notre Dame
Ferris State
Lake Superior
Nebraska-Omaha
Bowling Green

CCHA
W L
9 4
9 4
8 5
8 7
8 8
8 8
7 6
7 6
6 9
4 7
4 10
3 7

Pts
19
19
17
16
16
16
16
16
13
11
10
9

Overall
W L T
14 7 1
12 8 2
1211 1
1310 0
10 9 1
9 11 0
11 9 3
11 7 2
1010 2
6 7 5
6 13 3
5 11 6

UP NEXT

DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily
Junior Dwight Helminen blasts his first goal past Ohio State's Mike Betz, but he would score three more
before finishing with a career-high four-goal game in Saturday's 7-1 victory over the Buckeyes.

BUCKEYES
Continued from Page 11B
don't like to take that, and we were throwing bod-
ies around. It was going back and forth the whole
game," Helminen said.
The frustration on Ohio State's part came from
the Michigan defense's ability to shut down nearly
all scoring opportunities. In a game in which the
Michigan offense seemed to score at will, it would
have been easy for the defense to take a night off.
But the Wolverines' blueliners stepped up and

deficit late in the second period when Ohio State's
Doug Andress took a slashing penalty. On the
ensuing man advantage, the Michigan powerplay
unit found open passing lanes all over the ice, and
Hunwick found junior Milan Gajic along the
boards. Gajic let loose a laser one-timer and found
just enough room to beat Betz up high.
"If a hockey player tells you ... he's trying to put
(the puck) some place, he's lying," Gajic said, refer-
ring to the placement of his near-impossible shot.
Gajic's fifth goal of the season tied the score at
two a piece. Then junior Jason Ryznar, who has

6
a

JASON COOPER/Daily
Two future Wolverines are on Team USA.

<I

Back to Top

© 2024 Regents of the University of Michigan