4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - March 13, 2006 HITTING AFTER THE WHISTLE ICE HOCKEY 4 PLAYER OF THE WEEK Andrew Ebbett Michigan The senior captain did what a captain is sup- posed to do, leading the Wolverines with two goals and one assist in Friday night's 6-4 win. The two goals were his first ever in a CCHA playoff game. He added another assist in Satur- day's 3-2 victory. NOTABLE QUOTABLE "The only way you're going to get me out of here is by gunpoint" - Michigan freshman Jack Johnson talk- ing about the "three more years" chant filled Yost Ice Arena whenever he hit the ice. There have been rumors all year long that Johnson was leaving for the NH's Carolina Hurricanes at the conclusion of Michigan's season. BY THE NUMBERS 7 Consecutive seasons in which Michigan has qualified for the CCHA semifinals SATURDAY'S SCORING SUMMARY Ferris State 2, Michigan 3 Ferris State....................0 2 0 -2 M ichigan ........................................ 0 2 1 - 3 FIRST PERIOD No goals. Penalties - Jeremy Scherlinck, FSU (obstruction-hooking) 9:49; Andrew Ebbett, MICH (hooking) 13:55; Joe Van Culin, FSU (obstruction-tripping) 16:53; T. J. Hensick, MICH (slashing) 16:53; M att Frank, FSU (obstruction-tripping) 20: 00. SECOND PERIOD 1. MICH Brandon Kaleniecki 17 (Chad Kolarik, Andrew Ebbett) 00:31. 2. FSU Eric Vesely 10 (Adam Welch, Corey Couturier) 8:31. 3. FSU Greg Rallo 17 (Mark Bomersback, Dan Riedel) 9:17. 4. MICH T. J. Hensick 16 (Chad Kolarik, Jack Johnson) 13:26. Penalties - T. J. Hensick, MICH (cross-checking) 5:01; Adam Welch, FSU (holding) 5:01; Tim Cook, MICH (hooking) 8:23; Team, FSU (too many men on ice) 12:35; Matt Frank, FSU (boarding) 14:58; Mark Bomersback, FSU (interference) 19:34. THIRD PERIOD 5. MICH Jack Johnson 10 (T. J. Hensick) 4:11. Penalties-Joe Van Culin, FSU (hooking) 6:30. Shots on goal: FSU 9-6-7-22; MICH 8-11-13-32. Power plays: FSU 1-of-2; MICH 2-of-6. Saves - FSU Mitch O'Keefe (8-9-12) - 29; MICH Noah Ruden (9-4-7) - 20. Referee: Steve Piotrowski. Attendance: 6,590. Friday's Game FERRIS STATE 4 - MICHIGAN 6 Saturday's Game FERRIS STATE 2 - MICHIGAN 3 I pressive aCk attaCk:Johnson shines in first playoff series By Daniel Levy 2 -, Daily Sports Writer This weekend, Michigan freshman defenseman Jack Johnson showed why he was the third pick overall in last year's NHL Draft. Besides his physical gifts, Johnson's ability to step up his game when it matters most has the Wolverines riding high heading into Joe Louis Arena for the CCHA Semifinals next weekend. Early in the third period of Saturday night's game, Michigan found itself locked in a 2-2 tie, one great play away from sweeping Ferris State out of the playoffs and one bad bounce from facing a do-or-die game three against a scrappy Bulldog team that had beaten the Wolverines in Yost Ice Arena earlier this season. Then Johnson rose to the occasion. The defenseman, who is as famous for his tendency to jump up and join the offense as he is for his board-shak- ing hits, found a seam and a scoring chance. Johnson wisely followed Michigan alternate captain T.J. Hensick into the offensive zone. Once Hensick drew the attention of the Ferris State defenders, 3 he softly dropped the puck back to an open Johnson, who skated in alone on net and snapped a shot over the glove of Bulldog goalie Mitch O'Keefe to give Michigan a 3-2 lead. The goal turned out to be the series clincher, and Michigan swept Ferris State out of the CQHA playoffs. "I saw Jack cut through the middle, and I figured I might as well give it to the guy who has one of the best shots in col- lege hockey," Hensick said. "My eyes lit up when I saw him going in on the breakaway. I knew he was going to score." The Hensick to Johnson connection was a reversal of the Wolverines' second goal. With Michigan trailing 2-1 mid- way through the second period, Johnson found space on the power play and carried the puck into the Bulldog zone. Johnson passed to forward Chad Kolarik, who immedi- ately sent the puck to a waiting Hensick. The junior buried a shot past O'Keefe to tie the game. Johnson's presence on the ice was overwhelming all series long. Despite only getting on the stat sheet for one goal and one assist, the freshman was on the ice for a remarkable seven of Michigan's ten goals this weekend. He was skating during just one of Ferris State's five tallies. Johnson's great play, along with his high draft pick, was not Freshman Jack Johnson celebrates by tugging on the 'M' of lost on the fans at Yost Ice Arena. While seniors Andrew Ebbett, 'M' STATS Player GP G A Pts +/- PIM Sht Hensick 38 16 34 50 +4 42 119 Ebbett 38 13 27 40 +14 25 93 Porter 36 17 20 37 +2 30 87 Kolarik 38 11 25 36 +10 30 104 Johnson 35 10 22 32 +11 143 93 Cogliano 36 12 16 28 -8 32 103 Hunwick 38 9 18 27 +17 64 82 Kaleniecki 33 17 10 27 +8 45 88 Turnbull 38 9 9 18 +3 63 63 Miller 38 4 11 15 +8 54 43 Rohlfs 37 2 10 12 +8 41 62 Naurato 31 7 3 10 -3 8 54 Mitera 36 0 9 9 +6 53 37 Bailey 24 5 2 7 -1 49 25 Dest 38 2 7 9 0 37 31 Fardig 35 4 3 7 +1 30 44 Swystun 33 2 2 4 -10 12 33 Cook 37 1 2 3 0 35 22 Dunlap 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 Fragner 2 0 0 0 0 15 0 Montville 17 0 0 0 +2 0 1 Brandon Kaleniecki and Noah Ruden took the home ice for the final time in their careers, the crowd was very aware that there was a chance they were seeing Johnson skate for the final time. They were determined to let him know how they felt. In hopes of keeping one of the team's best players in Ann Arbor, fans greeted Johnson with cheers of "three more years" in the pre-game introductions. The chants contin- ued whenever the Ann Arbor native skated on the ice. What did Johnson think about the crowd's plea? "I was aware (they were chanting)," Johnson said. "The only way you're going to get me out of (Michigan) is at gunpoint." 6. Lake Superior State 1. Miami 11. Western Michigan BACK IN ACTION: Freshman Jason Bailey saw his first action this weekend since getting knocked out against Western Michigan on Jan. 31. After looking a little winded in Friday night's 6-4 win, Bailey played a stronger game on Saturday. The forward was more physical - hitting whenever he got the chance - and made a nice move on net to draw a penalty early in the third period. "It just feels great to be back in the lineup," Bailey said. "As time went on (Friday night), I got better and better, my legs felt better, and I felt a lot better out there (Saturday night). I'm just happy to be back in the lineup and happy RODRIGO GAYA/Daily his jersey after scoring the game winner on Saturday night. that we got the win:' LoUD AND PROUD: The Wolverines were finally able to belt out a joyous rendition of 'The Victors' this weekend after three months of silence. That's because the Michigan hockey team only sings after completing a weekend sweep of its opponent. The Wolverines' sweep of Ferris State in the CCHA quarterfinals was their first since:sweeping Nebraska-Omaha at home on Dec. 9 and 10. "The best thing about it is we got to sing that song," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "We haven't sung 'The Victors' since before Christmas." 2006 CCHA Tournament 8. Alaska-Fairbanks 0 Road to the Final Four Joe Louis Arena Detroit, Mich. 8. Alaska-Fairbanks 1 9. Notre Dame Miami Michigan State 41 Western Michigan 5. Nebraska-Omaha 2. Michigan State 5. Nebraska-Omaha 12. Bowling Green 7. Ferris State 7. Ferris State 10. Ohio State ward 3 0 0 0 -1 0 0 Northern Michigan Michigan 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) 4. Northern Michigan 3. Michigan DAILY POWER RANKINGS DOWD Continued from page 11B Mark Giannotto OFFENSE Six goals in a playoff game is a tough feat, but - the Wolverines did just that on Friday night. They followed that up with another solid showing on Saturday night, notching three goals in the win. 0.. DEFENSE. The defensemen bounced back from a rough showing on Friday night by playing solidly on Saturday. Jack Johnson contributed up front while forwards covered his back. The Wolverines also minimized odd-man rushes. GOALTENDING Noah Ruden gave up six goals over two games. But he made the saves when it counted most, and in his last game ever at Yost, he allowed just two goals. The extra half puck is for getting the crowd to chant "No-ah Ru-den". S P IAl TFAMA 1. Minnesota (27-6-5) A projected No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament by USCHO.com, backed up by a 20-1-1 record in its last 22 games, has Minnesota the favorite to win the NCAA title. 2. Miami (25-7-4) A sweep over Western Michigan in the CCHA quarterfinals has the RedHawks in the semifinals looking to prove their regular- season title was not a fluke. 3. Wisconsin (25-9-3) The Badgers split four regular-season games with the Gophers, with the home team losing each game. If the two teams meet again, it would come in what would certainly be an epic NCAA title game. 4. Michigan State (22-11-8) After dropping game one in their quarterfinal matchup against Alaska-Fairbanks, the Spartans responded with two convincing wins and will now face rival Michigan in the CCHA semifinals. 5. BemidjiState (20-13-3) Although Bemidji will be huge underdogs in its game in a couple of weeks, props are due to the Beavers, who beat Niagra to win the CHA. With the win, Bemidji State became the first team to clinch an NCAA tournament bid this season. defensemen when they pinch into the offensive zone. Going against Ferris State, the Wolverines had to make sure this wouldn't happen, as the Bull- dogs are known for capitalizing on quick transition breakaways. Even though there was a brief letdown in the transition defense when Ferris State's Adam Miller skated in on Michigan goaltender Noah Ruden all alone, the Wolverines were bailed out by Ruden's greatest - or perhaps luckiest - save. After that opportunity, the Wolverines stuck together to pre- vent the Bulldogs from tying the game and safely allowed Johnson to pinch in and score the game- winning goal. As Michigan moves into CCHA Championship weekend at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, this type of team game will become even more crucial. On Fri- day, the Wolverines will face Michigan State. This season, Michigan failed to beat the Spartans, going 0-1-3 in their four contests. One of the Wolverine's toughest struggles against their top rival has been getting clean shots through to Michigan State net- minder Jeff Lerg. In order to do this, Michigan needs heads-up play and on-target passing. And if Michigan knocks off Michigan State for the first time this year on Friday, it will likely face Miami, another team which it has failed to beat, in the CCHA Championship game. The Wolverines won't have their typical home crowd to egg them on next weekend, but it was refreshing to see now excited the players were about playing such a great team game. For the first time in months, they looked truly re-energized and raring to go for the next game - a good sign con- sidering their 2-3-3 record against the other three CCHA semifinalists. - Dowd can be reached atjvdowd@umich.edu 'a 0 James V. Dowd AROUND THE CCHA Game 1 Friday's results: MICHIGAN 6, Ferris State 4 Alaska-Fairbanks 2, MICHIGAN STATE 1 MIAMI 4, Western Michigan 1 NORTHERN MICHIGAN 4, Nebraska-Omaha 1 Game 2 BULLDOGS Continued from page 1B about time those 10 or 12 guys ... did that. It's going to be a huge factor in determining how far we go in the tournament." The Wolverines came into the weekend looking to avenge their Senior Night loss at the hands of Ferris State (10-11-7, 17- 15-8) just two weeks ago. In that Feb. 25 loss, freshman goalie Billy Sauer got the nod in net and allowed four goals in the H. Jose Bosch Ruden's save sent the Yost crowd of 6,590 into a frenzy and gave the Wolverines the momentum they needed to take the lead. Two minutes later, Michigan did just that. Freshman Jack Johnson took a centering pass from Hensick and unleashed a slap shot that beat Ferris State goalie Mitch O'Keefe glove side. Johnson's goal gave the Wolverines a 3-2 lead they never I ' Bomb, I