w w w w w w 8C Faeoff- Ocober22, 0 HOGAN From page 4C Michigan's starting goalten- der. After surrendering seven goals to North Dakota in the first round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament, Sauer allowed three goals in the first period of Michigan's Frozen Four game against Notre Dame. Berenson pulled Sauer after the terrible first period. Hogan, a fresh- man at the time, took his place between the pipes in the do- or-die playoff game, allowing only one goal in overtime and one in regulation, but it wasn't enough. Sauer's poor perfor- mance doomed the Wolverines with a 5-4 overtime loss. "The reason (the goalie bat- tle) came about was because Billy Sauer's playoff record was really not that strong in his first year or two," Berenson said. "For our team to be the team we want, we're going to have to have more competitive goaltending." The two had very little in common as goalies. Blackburn, now Michigan's goalie coach, describes Sauer as "laid back" both off the ice and on. But his playoff collapses showed that Sauer was more prone to hot and cold performances. Conversely, Hogan was even- keeled between the pipes, sus- taining focus through most games, despite his hot-headed practice demeanor. Hogan maintains that the two had a healthy position bat- tle, but he'll be the first to say that the two weren't the best of friends. "It is like every other goal- ie competition," Hogan said. "You're both fighting for a position, but you don't want to get too close." According to Hogan, the competition strengthened his game mentally and improved his focus on the ice. And on a team like Michi- gan, a goaltender's focus often becomes the deciding factor in close games. Michigan's defense shut down the Falcons' offense in the Wolverines' first-round NCAA Tournament loss last season. But the two goals that slipped past Hogan came on great scoring opportunities after he had stood in net for several minutes straight with- out seeing any action. Such a shot imbalance forc- es goaltenders to be on their toes at all times, which takes a great deal of concentration for any college-level netminder. "The type of game that Michigan plays is a mental challenge for any of the goal- ies that play here," said Scar- pace, who is now the team's video coordinator. "It's not like you're getting a lot of shots every night. You're getting underworked, so it's a men- tal challenge to stay in games and make the saves you have to make. You have to be ready to make a difference. " And after going with a two- goalie system for much of the first half of last season, Beren- son decided to start the goal- tender he felt would deal best with that mental challenge. Blackburn says it was only so long before Berenson made it clear that the Wolverines would be a one-goalie team. "It was two guys fight- ing for a No. 1 spot to play all the games," Blackburn said. "Sooner or later, we were going to choose one guy ... Every time Hogie touched the ice, he won. And when Billy played, we didn't win. Just wins made the decision for us." So Hogan took to the ice with the tentative No. 1 tag and Sauer still pushing the sophomore for playing time. With the slightest mistake and Hogan knew that his starting job between the pipes could be taken away. "Every game, I was look- ing over my shoulder," Hogan said. "There was even games when I didn't let many goals in and we weren't playing the best team, but I may not have played well. I'm always second guessing myself, but I think that's good. It keeps me always on my toes." Thisyear,with Sauer graduated, Hogan s is the clear starter between the pipes for the Wolverines. S His teammates, as z well as Berenson, con- 3 tend that Hunwick z continues to push Hogan on a daily basis. But with just six min- o utes in relief against n Nebraska-Omaha in the 2007-08 season, Hunwick won't force Hogan to look over his shoulder after every mistake. season valor, however, lay That kind of confidence, strictly between the pipes at according to Blackburn, can the Bridgeport Arena last year, make a noticeable difference where he allowed the game's in a goaltender's performance, only two goals. especially with Michigan's The netminder's early strug- high-pressure style. It's some- gles are of little concern to the thing Blackburn can relate to Wolverines' coaches, however, from his own experience in net who admit the transformation for the Wolverines. from last year to this year is "The pressure is always staggering. And the fact that there, but there's less pres- Hogan had to earn his spot as sure," he said. "You know the starting goalie last year, and you're the guy, you know you're several times before, proves going to play, and you know even further that he's more that if you have a bad game you than capable of shouldering the can go in and make up for it the load of a postseason run. With next night." no prior experience, Hogan Berenson and the rest of the came in against Notre Dame in Wolverines will tell you that 2007 and kept the Wolverines Hogan's biggest change this in it before their comeback bid season is his confidence in the ended in overtime. net, a direct byproduct of his "Bryan had to work and bide battle with Sauer. But Beren- his time to be the man here," son isn't surprised by the net- Scarpace said. "The goalie I see minder's newfound poise. out there now is a kid that is Despite the loss in last year's focused and ready just as Turco, NCAA Tournament, the long- Blackburn and (former Wolver- time coach affirms that Hogan ine Steve) Shields were." has the ability to win in high- And he'll have to be focused pressure situations and most if Michigan is meant to over- importantly in the postseason. come its perennial postseason He saw it when Hogan played . goalie collapse. junior hockey, and he saw it Hogan says his father, Jim, when Hogan took the ice as a used to always poke fun at him freshman against Notre Dame, for "coming through the back- despite the losing effort. door" everywhere he went. "He showed he could play in With the Lincoln Stars, a game where he had to make Hogan unseated entrenched the difference," Berenson said. starter Steve Jakiel, and again "He's showed me that, and I with the Wolverines last year, just thought that he reminded Hogan came through "the back- me of Turco." door" to win the starting job. "It's been like that my whole BACK DOOR MENTALITY life," Hogan said. "And it's To Berenson, it's clear that going to be like that wherever the two National Champion- you go." shipsthat Turco helped attain in That underdog mindset and his four years at Michigan mean mental toughness distinguish- more than any All-America dis- es him from any of the goalies tinction or school records. Michigan has had in the past Turco was immune to a 20 years, including Turco, all postseason goalie collapse, of whom were nearly undis- taking the Wolverines to the puted starters. Frozen Four every year he Hogan may only have a few donned the maize and blue. games of postseason experi- And although Berenson is a ence, but a lifetime of being bit hesitant to make the com- the underdog and an unrivaled parison, Turco and Hogan intensity at the position could play a similar game, especially be enough to distinguish him in their abilities to handle the with the likes of Turco. puck and help the defense. "Here's a player that hasn't With the game on the line been drafted, and he doesn't in the 1998 National Champi- have the hoopla or the atten- onship, Turco preserved his tion that drafted players get," reputation as a clutch net- Berenson said. "He's going to minder once again. Hogan's surprise a lot of people, and he only true assessment-of post- probably already has." UN VERS TY OF MICII GA Half-off exercise classes and semester passes! 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