U The Michigan Daily I michigandaily.com I March 31,2008

2008 NCAA EAST REGIONAL ALBANY, NY
MICHIGAN 5, NIAGARA 1 e MICHIGAN 2, CLARKSON 0

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4MV.

fROZEN OUR- D

Senior Kevin Porter skates to the Wolverine bench after scoring a goal during NCAA Regional play. Porter tallied five goals, incIuding a regional record four against Niagara, to lead Michigan to the Frozen Four.

NEXT UP: FIGHTING IRISH
Five goals cure 'slump'

FORGET FINALS, GO TO DENVER
One shotfor glory

Senior Kevin Porter
dominates in Albany
ByANDYREID
Daily Sports Writer
ALBANY, N.Y. - "I guess Kevin Porter's
not in a slump anymore,"
In his opening statement after Friday
night's 5-1 shellacking of Niagara in the open-
ing round of the NCAA Tournament, that's all
Michigan coach Red Berenson needed to say
about his senior captain.
The usually stern-faced Berenson cracked
a slight smile after this remark - for any
other player in the country, a three-game
scoreless streak wouldn't be considered much
of a slump.
But Porter, the hands-down favorite to

claim this year's Hobey Baker Award, is
expected to put up big numbers every game.
I "Thanks, . coach," replied Porter, who
sat two seats down from Berenson at the
postgame press conference. The mood was
deservedly lighthearted. Porter smashed his
mini-slump as emphatically as possible.
Porter tallied four smooth, pretty, Hobey
Baker-esque goals Friday night, setting a
record for goals in an NCAA Regional game.
Porter finished the weekend with five goals
and six total points.
"Yeah, it's about time he matches me,"
joked Chad Kolarik, who has notched four
goals twice this season. "No, it's unbelievable.
He's the best player in the nation, and this
should solidify his spot for Hobey. He's had a
great year, and I'm his campaign manager."
And Kolarik's not the only one pushing
for Porter to take home the 16-inch, bronze
See PORTER, Page 4B

The Michigan hockey team just quali-
fied for its first Frozen Four since
2003. This is abigdeal. There's a lot of
pressure on the Wolver-
ines to bring a National
Championship back to
Ann Arbor. But there's a
lot of pressure on you stu-
dents, too.
Go to Denver.
Don't take this oppor-
tunity for granted. Take it
from someone with first-
hand experience. SCOTT
Go to Denver. BELL
A 17-hour drive? Sure,
that sucks. But what SportsMonday
college experience is Column
complete without an
impromptu road trip?
A $300 flight? Money doesn't grow on

trees, but a little poutingto mom and dad can
do wonders every now and then.
And come on, it's not that much money.
It's less than 20 cents a day if you spread it
throughoutafour-yearcollege career. So even
though I may sound like a Sally Struthers
"Donate money to African Children" com-
mercial, don't let my message go unheard.
Go to Denver.
You might not have another chance.
Iwasspoiledasafreshman.Whatappeared
to -be a lost football season with Matt Gutier-
rez's injury and David Underwood's ineffi-
ciency ended up being the emergence of one
of Michigan's best classes of athletes ever.
The freshmen duo of Mike Hart and Chad
Henne led the Wolverines to a Big Ten Cham-
pionship and a Rose Bowl berth, and my first
fall at Michigan was already marked by ath-
letic success.
See BELL, Page 4B

SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS
NO.1 MICHIGAN VS.
NO.12 NOTRE DAME
Records: 33-5-4/ 26-15-4
Head-to-Head: Michigan 2-0-0
Notre Dame knocked off defending
National Champion Michigan State,
3-1, in the West Regional final.
NO.3 NORTH DAKOTA VS.
NO.7 BOSTON COLLEGE
Records:28-10-4/ 23-11-8
Head-to-Head: Tied 0-0-1
North Dakota beat Wisconsin in
overtime in a game played on the
Badgers' home ice to advance to
Denver,

FOOTBALL .
Rodriguez denies
Boren's accusations

Michigan defends title

By DAN FELDMAN
Daily Sports Editor
The usually offensive-minded
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez got
defensive Saturday, when the god-
father of the spread-option offense
had to respond to attacks from
junior left guard Justin Boren.
After leaving the team last Mon-
day, Boren released a statement say-
ing the program's "family values
have eroded." Rodriguez seemed

irritated to be discussing the issue,
calling that sentiment "ridiculous."
"Family is pretty important to all
of us, and every coach would tell you
that," Rodriguez said. "But just ask
anybody that's played for me for the
last 15 years. Don't ask somebody
that's left with a different agenda."
Rodriguez said, after a practice
attended by some of the players'
parents. The members of his pro-
gram are as much of a family as at
See BOREN, Page 4B

Blue dominates conference
foes to win championship
By NICOLE AUERBACH
Daily Sports Writer
Beneath the streamers and covered in hugs,
Lindsey Bruck stood in the middle of her team-
mates, clutching the Big Ten championship tro-
phy in her arms with a huge smile on her face.
For the fifth-year senior, this year's Big Ten
Championship was somethingspecial.
Bruck wasn't able to participate in the con-
ference championship last year after suffering a
season-ending injury at the start of the season.
But this season, Bruck has been key to Mich-

igan's success, contributing more than just
solid scores in Saturday's 196.750-point perfor-
'"She has a lot of experience and valuable
information to give to people," Michigan coach
Bev Plocki said. "Because they respect her,
they want to listen to her information and they
believe in her. If Lindsey believes we can do
this, we really can do this."
Bruck is notjust a cheerleader. She was named
the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year in the awards
ceremony after the competition Saturday.
Bruck finished third in the all-around com-
petition with a score of 39.325 and claimed
runner-up honors on the balance beam. While
her personal scores contributed to the team's
success, Bruck was complemented by stellar
See BIG TENS, Page 4B

SAID ALSALAH/Daily
Fifth-year senior Lindsey Bruck celebrates following
Michigan's 16th Big Ten Championship.

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