4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - December 5, 2005 HITTING AFTER THE WHISTLE A1 ICE HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE WEEK Matt Davis Miami (Ohio) The senior center had a goal and an assist on Friday night coupled with another goal in Saturday's win. Davis's tally on Friday was a short-handed goal that sparked a three-goal outburst in the second period. NOTABLE QUOTABLE "I'm at a loss for words right now. This is not Michigan hockey." - Michigan captain Andrew Ebbett after Saturday's 4-3 loss to Miami (Ohio). BY THE NUMBERS Friday's Game MIAMI (OHIO) 4 - MICHIGAN 2 Saturday's Game MIAMI (OHIO) 4 - MICHIGAN 3 Miami meltdown 4w Blue miscues lead to RedHawks' sweep 68 The total number of penalty minutes Michigan took over the weekend series. 4 The number; of one-goal leads that Michigan had --they blew each one of them, dropping both games to Miami. By Daniel Levy Daily Sports Writer OXFORD - Michigan was anything but steady against Miami (Ohio) this past week- end. In both games, the Wolverines worked hard and put themselves in position to win. But in the end, the result was two more losses for Michigan, which extended its losing streak to four games. And the weekend added more questions than answers for a hockey team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation just two weeks ago. Like a house built from a deck of cards, one or two big mistakes caused everything to come crashing down for Michigan each night. On Friday night, Michigan and Miami were knotted at two midway through the second period. The Wolverines silenced the crowd by scoring first in each period. With 10:36 remaining, RedHawk forward Stephen Dennis was whistled for instigating, giving the Wolverines a power play. SCORING SUMMARY Michigan 3, Miami (Ohio) 4 Michigan ................................................. 2 1 0 - Miami (Ohio) ........................................... 2 1 1 - 3 4 FIRST PERIOD 1. MIA Matt Davis 7 (Kevin Roeder, Joe Cooper) 10:39; 2. MICH T. J. Hensick 9 (Jack Johnson, Matt Hunwick) 12:59; 3. MICH Andrew Ebbett 4 (unassisted) 15:28; 4. Ryan Jones 7 (Nathan Davis, Nino Musitelli) 16:19.Penaites-Andy Greene, MIA (hooking) 0:26; Bran- don Kaleniecki, MICH (CTH roughing) 4:11; David Rohlfs, MICH (high sticking) 7:55; Andy Greene, MIA (cross checking) 11:07; Jason Bailey, MICH (CTH roughing) 14:56; Kevin Roeder, MIA (slashing) 17:05; T. J. Hensick, MICH (slashing) 17:05. SECOND PERIOD 5. MICH Brandon Kaleniecki 3 (T. J. Hensick) 11:58; 6. MIA Nathan Davis 6 (Ryan Jones, Brad Robbins) 17:10. Penalties - Raymond Eichenlaub, MIA (obstruction-hooking) 12:39; Jack Johnson, MICH (CTH high-stick) 14:17; Jack Johnson, MICH (boarding) 17:10; Jack Johnson, MICH (game misconduct) 17:10. THIRD PERIOD 7. MIA Andy Greene 5 (unassisted) 9:04. Penalties - Marty Guerin, MIA (hooking) 1:14; Jack Johnson, MICH (contact to the head rough- ing ATW) 2:10; Justin Mercier, MIA (hooking) 6:05; Matt Hunwick, MICH (roughing ATW) 9:43; Geoff Smith, MIA (goaltender interfer- ence) 9:43; Andrew Cogliano, MICH (cross checking) 16:16; Matt Davis. MIA (slashing) 19:58; Andrew Cogliano, MICH (slashing) 19:58; Matt Davis, MIA (slashing) 19:58. Shots on goal: MICH 812-11-31; MIA 15-16-10-41. Power plays: MICH 1 of 5; MIA 1 of 7. Saves - MICH Noah Ruden (13-15-9) - 37; MICH Jeff Zatkoff (6-11-11) - 28. Referee: Brian Aaron Attendance: 2,850. 'M' STATS Despite boasting the nation's top power play, the man advantage turned out to be Michigan's undoing. Twenty-five seconds into the Dennis penalty, Miami forward Jus- tin Mercier hounded Michigan defenseman Matt Hunwick behind the net. Mercier stole the puck and centered it to an uncovered Matt Davis, who beat Michigan goalie Billy Sauer to give the RedHawks the lead. Barely a minute later, Davis repaid the favor. Still shorthanded, he fed the puck ahead to Mercier who fired a shot from the left slot over Sauer's left shoulder to give Miami a two-goal cushion. After Michi- gan had battled hard for the first half of the game, two shorthanded goals gave Miami its first lead of the game. That short stretch of play proved to be the difference in the Red- Hawks' 4-2 win: "When our power play is turning the puck over and giving up shorthanded goals, it gives the other team a huge lift," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "We turned the puck over too much all over the ice." Saturday's game played out the same way. The two teams battled back and forth with neither team holding more than a one goal lead. Tied at three in the third period, Michi- gan appeared to build momentum with some crisp passing on an even-strength play. But any hopes Wolverine fans had of taking the crucial third period lead were quickly dashed. Miami dumped the puck into the Michi- gan zone. Michigan defenseman Tim Cook took the puck behind the net and attempted to pass the puck out of the zone, but Miami defenseman Andy Greene intercepted the pass at the blue line. The captain skated in alone on net and beat Michigan goalie Noah Ruden for what turned out to be the game-winning goal in a 4-3 Miami win. "On the winning goal, we gave the puck away," Berenson said. "That was pretty obvious." The problem for the Wolverines is that the costly mistakes that haunted them this past weekend came in different situations. There isn't one specific problem that Michigan can address to turn things around. Besides giving up two shorthanded goals,. the Wolverines lost the lead twice on Friday. CAITLIN KLEIBOER/Daily Freshman forward Andrew Cogliano is turned away during Michigan's 43 loss to Miami on Saturday. The first squandered lead was due to a power play goal. The second time, Michigan gave up a three-on-two rush following a missed oppor- tunity, which led to another Miami goal. "We have a three-on-one rush when the score is 2-1 for us, and we don't score and we don't even get a shot out of it," Berenson said. "They go down and score on an unearned goal, and that gives them the momentum of the game." On Saturday, it was missed defensive assignments that hurt Michigan. Late in the first period, the Wolverines left RedHawk forward Ryan Jones open in front of the net on a Miami power play. Nathan Davis found the open man and Jones banged the puck into the net to tie the game at two. Late in the sec- ond period, Hunwick got.caught out of posi- tion and Miami took advantage. This time, Jones found Davis streaking ahead. Davis slid the' puck though Ruden's legs to 'ie the game at three. "We need to be more aware as a defense on the ice," defenseman Jack Johnson said. "For- wards in college hockey are good and quick so we have to keep our heads on a swivel and be more aware." Inconsistency plagued Michigan all weekend long. The Wolverines are aware that they need to cut down on their mistakes in order to snap out of their losing funk.. "It's not that we're playing poorly," Mich- igan defenseman Jack Johnson said. "It's just a couple minor details that turn out to be big details. We just need to get better in key situations." 0 Player GP G A Pts +/-I PIM Sht Hensick 15 9 16 25 +6 12 53 Johnson 15 4 16 20 +8 67 36 Cogliano 15 7 10 17 -2 14 48 Hunwick 15 5 12 17 +4 20 35 Porter 15 9 5 14 -1 10 39 Ebbett 15 4 10 14 -4 19 33 Kolarik 15 4 7 11 -2 18 27 Turnbull 15 3 6 9 +5 31 25 Naurato 12 5 2 7 0 2 22 Miller 15 1 4 5 +5 8 17 Kaleniecki 14 3 1 4 -2 27 37 Macvoy 8 1 2 3 0 6 6 Mitera 15 0 3 3 -2 27 20 Bailey 14 1 1 2 -5 35 16 Swystun 15 1 1 2 -11 10 18 Fardig 12 1 0 1 +1 16 8 Rohlfs 15 0 1 1 -2 8 11 Dest 15 0 1 1 -5 29 10 Cook 14 0 0 0 -2 19 11 DAILY POWER RANKINGS 'M' football alum leads Miami athletics 1. Wisconsin (13-1-2) The Badgers affirmed their rise to the top of every national ranking with a sweep on the road at Minnesota. With hapless Michigan Tech heading to Madison next weekend, Wisconsin should be safe in the top spot for at least a few weeks. 2. Miami (Ohio) (11-2-1) As Michigan went to Goggin Arena for the final time, few thought it was possible the RedHawks could sweep the Wolverines for the first time in seven years. But the RedHawks showed they were for rel, notching eight goals and extending Michigan's losing streak to four. 3. North Dakota (10-5-1) With a pair of blowouts over Michigan Tech this weekend, the Fighting Sioux jump up in the rankings with losses by many of the nation's top- 10 teams this weekend. 4. Vermont (11-3-1) After tying New Hampshire on - Friday night, the Catamounts defeated Massachusetts-Lowell on Saturday night. If Vermont can hold on, they might contend for the Hockey East title if the league's top teams continue their inconsistencies. 5. Boston College (7-4-1) The Eagles fell from the No. 2 spot in the Daily rankings after losing to Boston University, 6- 2, on Saturday to split the rivalry series. They will try to bounce back against Massachusetts next weekend. Dunlap 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 THE 'RED' LINE In a system named for legendary coach Red Beren- son, the Daily hockey writers grade the Wolverines on their performance in each of four areas. (Graded out of 4 pucks) By Mark Giannotto Daily Sports Writer OXFORD - Miami (Ohio) athletic director Brad Bates was presented with an interesting dilemma during this weekend's series against the Wolverines. His employer faced his alma mater in one of the biggest series of the year in the CCHA. But the choice of whom to cheer for was not hard for him to make. "I know every single Miami hockey play- er, and I know every single Miami coach," Bates said. "Seeing the time and commit- ment that they put into it makes it easy to pull for Miami." Bates, who graduated from Michigan in 1981, was a walk- on defensive lineman for the football team from 1977-81 under the tutelage of legendary coach Bo Schembechler. When the Wolverines are not facing a team from Miami, Bates stays true to his roots. "I had a great experience (at Michigan)," Bates said. "I love the program and certainly still know some people who work there. I really follow the Wolverines throughout the year." During his four-year tenure at Miami, Bates has over- looked a revival in RedHawks athletics. Despite his success, Bates said he has no desire to return to a major university like Michigan and serve as athletic director. "Because Miami is a mid-major, it provides some profes- sional opportunities that are extremely engaging and chal- lenging," Bates said. "To be at a major conference school that may have accomplished things is professionally not as challenging. The potential (at Miami) is fantastic, and I am really thrilled to work here." CONTROVERSIAL CALL: Miami center Nathan Davis got by the Michigan defense and flipped a shot past a helpless Noah Ruden with just under three minutes remaining in the sec- ond period of Saturday night's game. But the activities after the play were what made it so interesting. Mark Giannotto OFFENSE Offense? What offense? The line changes this week did nothing to jumpstart the goal-scoring. After a fast start, the freshmen forwards have been brought back down to earth by quality opponents. DEFENSE For the second consecutive weekend, mistakes by Mich- igan defensemen cost the Wolverines two key games. If Michigan hopes to climb back up into the CCHA title hunt, the defense must be more consistent. GOALTENDING The goalies saw more action than the Minnesota Vikings, and for that, you can't be too hard on them for giving up eight goals in two games. But two losses doesn't warrant AROUND THE CCHA Friday's results: MIAMI (OHIO) 4, Michigan 2 Lake Superior 4, Alaska-Fairbanks 2 NebraskaOnaha 5, Ferris State 2 Michigan Stae 3, Bowling Green 0 Western Michigm4, Notre Dame 3 Alabama-Huntsville 4, Ohio State3 Saturday's results: MIAMI (OHIO) 4, Michigan 3 Le Suprior 3, Alaska-Fairbanks 2 Bowl ing Green 4, Michigan State 2 Notre Da7e3, Western Michigan 0 Alabama-Huntsville 2, Ohio State2 (OT) Sunday's results: NEBRASKA-OMAHA 5, FERIS STATE 3 *HOM E TEAM S IN CAPS CCHA STANDINGS Davis turned his'head toward the net to admire his goal, when Michigan freshman Jack Johnson knocked him to the ground. After the hit, Davis was on the ice for several minutes before leaving the playing surface under his own power. "I thought (Davis) was trying to cut me from underneath," Johnson said. "I saw him looking at his shot and I caught him not looking, but I thought the hit was legal." The three officials then conferred for a few moments before deciding to give Johnson a five-minute major pen- alty and a game misconduct for boarding along with another minor penalty for contact to the head-high sticking: With those two penalties, the RedHawks got a seven-minute power play. Although the Wolverines were able to kill the penalty, it left them with just five defensemen for the remainder of the game - and without one of their leading scorers. Michigan coach Red Berenson indicated that he also thought the play was legal and that video of the check would be sent to the CCHA league offices for review this week. "It's too bad that no one got a good look at it," Berenson said. "When you see the video, it's hardly a two-minute pen- alty. To take a player out of the game, one of our best players - and (the officials) are not sure - is unfortunate. That's a big call if you aren't sure." GOALIE SHOWDOWN: Last week, the Central Scouting Ser- vices of the National Hockey League released their ratings of all the NHL draft eligible players in college hockey. In the goalie category, Michigan freshman Billy Sauer was ranked No. 1, followed by Miami freshman Jeff Zatkoff at No. 2. Unfortunately for NHL scouts and fans alike, the two freshmen did not face each other head-to-head, with Sauer playing on Friday night and Zatkoff playing on Saturday night. Both goalies played solid games when they were between the pipes. Sauer faced 46 shots on Friday, and kept Michigan in the game by stopping 42. Zatkoff got the win on Saturday, stopping 28 shots for the RedHawks. with shots throughout the weekend. On Saturday Ruden made 37 saves, while Sauer saw 46 shots on Friday night and saved 42. Later in the second' period, Dest and Cook got caught in a big pileup of players. The puck somehow trickled out of the pile to a waiting Davis, who then unleashed a slap shot that hit the top post and bounced right to Ruden. The Wolverines then had some luck on the offensive side of the ice. Kaleniecki let loose with a slap shot from the left faceoff circle. The puck bounced off Miami defenseman Mitch Ganzak's shoulder, popped into the air and flew by unsuspecting RedHawk goalie Jeff Zatkoff. That goal gave the Wolverines a 3-2 lead halfway through the second period. "Off the draw (the puck) hit off (Ganzak), and after that I com- James V. Dowd REDHAWKS Continued from page 1B Wolverines' defensive zone. The ill-advised pass was intercepted by Miami captain Andy Greene directly in front of the Michigan goal, and the senior defenseman beat a helpless Noah Ruden for the game-winning goal. From the beginning, things did not go well for the Wolver- ines. The crowd at Goggin Ice Arena was loud, and the Miami players responded by out-hitting the Wolverines. The physical Pts play prompted defenseman David Rohlfs to take a high sticking 21 penalty at the eight-minute mark. Team CCHA Overall 1. Miami 10-1-1 11-2-1 HI R c rch