8E - New Student Edition The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com In a year when the Wolverines always seemed to come through, the abrupt end was hard to watch 4 DENVER - then CCHA tournament champi- aybe we were just a lit- ons. A trip to theFrozen Four. tle too spoiled, watch- None of it was originally expected, but all of it happened. ing Michigan And then the Wolverines found get everything out they were playing Notre Dame it wanted. in the NCAA semifinals, a team College they beat twice in the regular Hockey Show- season. They were playing a team case cham- that completely folded in the pions. Great CCHA Tournament and slipped Lakes Invita- into the NCAA Tournament. tional cham- COURTNEY Even though Michigan insisted pions. CCHA RATKOW it wasn't so, a maize-and-blue regular-season, spot in the national champion- ship game was almost taken for granted. Game time. The Wolverines allowed two goals in the first six minutes of the first period. All of a sudden, the game was looking a little too similar to that now-infa- mous 3-2 comeback win against the Irish at Yost Ice Arena. There was still hope, right? Then, the Fighting Irish struck once more. Sauer was collapsing for the second straight year in Denver. The first period mercifully ended. And at the start of the second, Bryan Hogan was between the pipes for the Wolverines. That's when I thought I was watching the last Michikan hock- ey game of the season. Michigan coach Red Berenson called Sauer rock-solid nearly all season, yet pulled him after one period and three goals allowed. He replaced the junior with a freshman who has played just five games all season. Butj~he magic of this team, the reason the Wolverines got to the Frozen Four, is that regardless of the situation, they've fought back. It's worked for them all sea- son. It's made us all spoiled. When the Wolverines scored twice in 15 seconds to narrow Notre Dame's lead to one, it felt like it might happen. When Chad Kolarik poked the puck in the net to tie the game, sliding headfirst on the ice in celebration, it looked like it would happen, But after clawing back and. forcing everyone to believe they could do it again, the Wolver- ines saw their season end as suddenly as it began. It started almost exactly six months ago with an improbable 4-3 overtime win against Bos- ton College and a fluke goal by Louie Caporusso. It ended with an overtime loss, but the slaying shot was so dead-on that the puck rocketed right back out of the net. Hogan was frozen on the ice in the same half-sprawled position in which he had tried to save the puck. He was there for fifteen seconds, maybe more, until Kolarik skated up and said something in his ear. "He's a freshman, and he played, what, four or five games 4 4 ZACHARY MEISNER/Daily The Michigan hockeyteam suffered a 5-4 loss in the NCAA Tournament semifinals. all year?" Kolarik said. "I just thanked him because he gave us seniors a chance, and that's all you can ask from a goalie is to give you a chance." He did give them a chance. The seniors, especially Kolarik with his two goals, gave them a chance. And all year, this team turned doubters into believers. Even in its last game, even in overtime, Michigan made fans believe it could get what it wanted one more time. That's why, until I saw the lamp light up behind the Wolverines' net, I didn't know I was watching the last Michigan hockey game of the season. This column originally ran on April 11, 2008. 4 Sports Apparel & Giftwear Adidas Apparel * A portion of all sales at the Barnes & Noble at the University of Michigan & Pigrpont Commons Bookstores go back to support U of M student services. * The Barnes & Noble & Pierpont Commons Bookstores are the only bookstores contracted by the University of Michigan. * A wide variety of our best selling items like gifts and apparel for all students, alumni, family, friends and kids available for purchase online. Barnes & Noble at the University of Michigan Order Online Today www.whyWaitforbooks.com 4 4 . No minimum balance requirement .Free MemberNet Online Banking and Online Bill Pay * No charge for incoming wires * Easy access to ATM's located throughout campus '7 branch locations including 3 on-campus sites * Student VISA Credit Card available- Low rate, no annual fee REDIT $ STUDENT UNIONSAVINGS L N I(resentthis coupon at any UMCU branch and we'll waive your membership fee - And provide U McU rgyour first box of checks FREE successful when you open your accountI members xs/ everywhere Offerexpirea115/08 -6-. - NE MI 1 Barnes & Noble at the University of Michigan 530 S. State Street Phone# 734.995.8877 Email: bksumichiganunion.@bncollege.com w.umichigan.bncollege.com Pierpont Commons Bookstore Pierpont Commons (North campus) (734)668-6022 734-662-8200 or 800-968-8628 1 &