8 - Friday, March 14, 2014
The Michigan Daily -- michigandaily.com
Tournament implications on Senior Day
By ERIN LENNON one last series at Yost Ice Arena
Daily Sports Writer is as high-stakes as ever. The
Wolverines have the chance for
ie No. 14 Michigan hockey redemption against Minnesota,
might be finishing its the chance to reinforce their
[ar season, but a series dominance at home and the
ist No. 1 Minnesota is the last chance to prove a postseason run
ce to getstarted. is still possible.
ith a second-place finish in A month ago, the Wolverines
:onference and a bye in the were given a chance to make
'en Tournament out of reach, a statement against a team
that spent four months atop
the standings, but they simply
couldn't.
When the Golden Gophers
came out firing on all cylinders
Feb. 14, Michigan recoiled,
looking slow and timid.
Despite well-matched hockey
through the second period, the
Wolverines fell quietly on the
road. But when Michigan scored
junior goaltender Luke Dwyer,
which seemed like the kind of
win this team needed following
the loss of senior captain Mac
Bennett to injury.
"We're extremely hot and cold
right now, so we have to find that
consistency heading into the
playoffs," said Bennett, who is
expected return to the starting
lineup Friday.
Though Michigan coach Red
Berenson has spoken about
improving each week, peaks and
valleys have proven the story of
Michigan's season.
Impressive home wins over
then-No. 4 Boston College, Ferris
State and Boston University
contrast with two ugly losses to
a second-year program in Penn
State, whose only two conference
victories came against Michigan..
The Wolverines' home success
shows that home-ice advantage
is a very real factor, and the
Children of Yost could serve as
a sixth man when goals are at
a premium. Michigan is eight
games over .500 because of its
dominance athome.
But regardless of the venue,
Minnesota is Minnesota. And a
post-season appearance on the
line, no matter how far away,
starts athome.
"Senior weekend is nice
and all, but I want to win a Big
Ten championship," Bennett
said. "I want to win a national
championship."
Minnesota at Michigan
Matchup: Minnesota 24-4-
6; Michigan 17-11-4
When: Friday 6:30 P.M.,
Saturday 7 P.M.
Where: Yost Ice Arena
TV: ESPN News (Friday), Big Ten
Network (Saturday)
--___
JAMES COLLER/Daily
Freshman netminder Zach Nagelvoort will be tasked with stopping the Gophers.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Season on pause as
WNIT bid beckons
By MAX COHEN WNIT. Her St. John's teams
Daily SportsEditor made three appearances In
the tournament, most recently
The games are done for now, in 2009, when the Red Storm
and the schedule is blank. All the reached the third round.
Michigan women's basketball At this juncture in her tenure
team can do is wait. at Michigan, Barnes Arico views
It isn't a guarantee that the the WNIT as a chance to continue
Wolverines' season will continue, establishing the legitimacy of the
but it's almost a sure thing. program. Though this season
Though Michigan's hopes of an will not appear as successful on
NCAA Tournament at-large bid paper as her first year in Ann
were effectively dashed in its close Arbor, which featured an NCAA
second-round loss to Michigan Tournament victory, playing
State in the Big Ten Tournament, well in the WNIT would create
the prospect of postseason play is momentum forthe program going
still very much alive. forward and end the season on a
The Wolverines (8-8 Big Ten, high note.
18-13 overall) are likely below the The Wolverines will return
bubble for the NCAA Tournament the vast majority of their
after a regular season in which minutes next season, meaning
many of their defeats came in extra practices now can set the
close games against quality tone and expectations for the
opponents.For now, Michiganhas upcoming year. of the returning
its sights seteon a probable berthin players, only junior guard
the WNIT with the possibility of Nicole Elmblad played more
hosting tournament games. Based than 10 minutes in last year's
on projections, the Wolverines two NCAA Tournament games,
will likely be one of the better Big so participating in postseason
Ten teams to fall shortof securing games will give the rest of the
an NCAA Tournamentbid. team needed experience before
Michigan won't know its fate the addition of a heralded
until the postseason selections are recruiting class.
announced Monday night. But the "We go in Crisler every dayand
team is practicing nonetheless, there's a lot of banners hung by
choosing to view a WNIT bid our men's program,"Barnes Arico
as a stepping stone instead of a said. "There's not one hung yet by
second-rate option. the women's program. And that's
"Anytimewegetanopportunity our goal, to win championships.
to compete for a championship So let's go and try to hang that
and continue to play and continue banner in the WNIT and get
to practice, I think it's going to somethingstarted."
help our program," said Michigan Michigan could possibly
coach Kim Barnes Arico on start its journey toward its first
WTKA Tuesday. "So we're banner while playing in Crisler
excited about the opportunity to Center. The Wolverines have
compete in the WNIT and to win made themselves available to host
a championship." WNIT games, but like the next
Barnes Arico has some step for this program, that will be
experience coaching in the announced Monday.
JACKSON GLINES IS
1-FOR-i ON THE ROAD
HE KNOWS WHAT THIS MEANS
I
i