(DISCLAIMER:  These comments are not representative of the University of
Michigan, any media covering the hockey team, or any other Michigan fans.)
 
First of all, I congratulate the Lake Superior State Lakers on a
well-deserved sweep of the Michigan Wolverines.  You were without
question the better team and may this weekend spark you another national
championship run.
 
FRIDAY
------
FACT:  Jim Hunt from WTKA said on the Saturday Sports Ticket this morning
that Red Berenson especially along with the rest of the Michigan hockey team
was extremely down and sad following the Friday game. Berenson held about
a 1 minute press conference after the game and seemed to not be too
interested in talking about the game.
 
OPINION:  Michigan and Lake State I assume played an outstanding first
period; however, it seemed in the last two periods that Michigan was
outplayed by Lake State.  The defense seemed to play their worst hockey
of the season and Turco prevented Lake State from easily winning the game
in regulation.  Lake State probably would have scored 6-7 goals if not
for Turco.  Also, the Lakers top two lines had to outplay Michigan's.
Hilton and Morrison were invisible (Mentioned by Jim Hunt) and did not
make the big play.  Matt Herr and the fourth line (Arnold and Hayes) seemed
to be the only offense Michigan had; and they also prevented the game
from being a rout.  Michigan could have escaped with a win but Felsner
put the dagger in the hearts of the team with a tying goal; and the
Lakers had all the momentum needed to win the game when Aldridge
'scored' the winning goal.  It seemed from Al Randall that the goal hit
the post, then went in the net.  They hesitated for a second when the
goal was counted by Piotrowski (Pi).  The main reason Michigan lost on
Friday must have been a combination of stupid penalties, bad special
teams, and Pi.  The officiating must have been as inconsistent as at the
Joe against State.  All season long I have feared that even though Michigan
has lead the CCHA in special teams, Michigan would one game take 6-7
penalties and have to kill them all but would give up 4-5 power play
goals; and maybe 1-2 shorthanded goals.  That fear turned into reality.
Our special teams are good against weaker teams but bad against the good
teams in the league (MSU at the Joe an exception).  This trend has lasted
all season long.  Also, anytime Michigan does get outshot like on Friday
especially against LSSU, you have to be concerned about the defensive
play of the team.  Halko of all defenseman seemed to have a horrible game
taking 2-3 penalties resulting in 2-3 goals for Lake State.  You could go
down the line if you wish (in particular Sloan and Frescoln have habits
of taking uncalled for penalties).  Michigan let this game get away.
 
SATURDAY
--------
COMBINATION OF FACT AND OPINION:  Almost a carbon copy on Friday only Turco
seemed to not play well at all thus getting benched once the Lakers had a
5-1 lead in the middle of the Lake Superior.  Michigan seemed to be very
physical trying to get as many penalties as possible handing the Lakers
power plays and giving them goals.  No offense, poor defense, poor
penalties, poor penalty killing, easy goals.  This seemed to be the motto
of Saturday's game as the Lakers outplayed Michigan particularly (once
again) in the last two periods (this time, especially in the second).
Michigan seemed to play like team fighting for 11th place instead of 1st
place.  Even before the game when Al talked to Red, he sounded extremely
down and worried.  Jim Hunt said at the end that Michigan never really got
it going this weekend as the Lakers outplayed them both nights.
Everything went right for the Lakers, and nothing went right for Michigan.
Did Warren deserve a game DQ for his intentional back-check on Jason
Trzcinski?  I do not understand the kindness of Matt Shegos giving him a
five-minute major and no game misconduct or DQ.  Very unusual.
 
SUMMARY
=======
Lake Superior
-------------
Will make the NCAA Tournament for sure without any question.  If not for
an early season slump, they would have run away with the CCHA
Championship.  They have to be the #1 choice to get in from the CCHA as
far as at-large bids are concerned providing they do not win the
Tournament (automatic bid).  Season series over Michigan, Michigan State,
and Western Michigan and the highest RPICH are in their favor.  Last 20
game record probably is also the best so they have at least three of the five
criteria already over all of these teams.  Should sweep next weekend on
the road.
 
Michigan
--------
The Michigan State game at Yost still without any question is a huge
game for both teams.  Now both of them are playing to solidify NCAA
Tournament berths.  MSU will not only solidity a berth but also will
automatically be in with a win at Munn against BG.  Michigan desparately
needs to win this game in particular.  Michigan loses out to Lake State
and Western due both to RPICH and head-to-head and probably last 20
games.  Michigan would have to wait behind not only Western and Lake
State but also MSU should State win Friday.  I am not saying Michigan
will not go if they lose Friday and maybe Saturday and if they do not win
the CCHA Tournament, but due to the number of automatic bids fluctating
from four to eight; Michigan is not so clearly going to make the
tournament.  I have provided enough evidence to prove my point.  Jim Hunt
from WTKA said that the CCHA will definitely have four teams in the
NCAA's but I tend to disagree because of the possibilty of eight
automatic bids and only four at-large teams.  (At least two teams from
every league will get in and three of the four leagues will probably get
one more in but it looks like it may come down to the fourth place
team in the best league.  Yes, Michigan definitely is the best
fourth place team in all of the leagues due to their record and
their RPICH.  Depending on which teams win the conference tournaments,
there is definitely the possibility of one good team missing like Bowling
Green last year.)
 
===================================
Kenneth M. Baker
University of Michigan '96
RECORD: 24- 7- 2 (CCHA: 20- 6- 2)
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
MY WWW PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!
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