Some random comments on the topic of Michigan hockey:
 
Friday - MICHIGAN 6 Alaska Fairbanks 1
Certainly not what the Nanooks wanted from their first CCHA
appearance in Ann Arbor.  UAF looked very flat (somewhat
expected from the travel) and much slower than anticipated.
Given the larger ice surface in Fairbanks, UAF's advanced
billing was one of speed.  However, Michigan looked to be
the faster, quicker and generally crisper team.  The UM
power play had it's best game (and weekend) of the season
to date, as UAF constantly found themselves in the box.
Michigan's first goal is one for the highlight real as Brendan
Morrison made the perfect pass from the left point to Kevin
Hilton below the dot on right wing and Hilton didn't waste it
as he buried a one-timer past Larry Moberg, who didn't go
from post to past as swiftly as Morrison's pass did.  The
game was over early in the second period when Michigan
opened up a 5-0 lead and Moberg gave way to freshman
Ian Perkins.  Although the shot total doesn't reflect it, UAF
played much better from that point on.  Perkins was one of
the highlights of my evening.  His performance was pure
Steve Shields-ian.  To begin with, he's 6-4/200...Shields
like proportions.  Beyond that, his play smacked of Shields'
early days in Ann Arbor.  Perkins was flopping all over the
crease, often finding himself on his butt making "ice angel"
saves, but he managed to keep the puck out of the net.  UAF
can only hope that he has half the collegiate career that
Shields did.  Turning back to Michigan, fine individual
performances were given by Morrison (3-2--5), Hilton (2-1--3),
RW Bill Muckalt (0-4--4), C Bobby Hayes (all heart) and
D Bubba Berenzweig...who, IMO, played the best game of
his brief UM career to date.  Also, backup netminder Gregg
Malicke mopped up the final 20 minutes, seeing more heated
action than Turco did over the first 40.  (Turco made some
comment about having to pay for a ticket given that he never
got into the game, making but 6 saves on the night.)  Malicke
surrendered the first goal of his UM career (60 total minutes
played), but it was arguably his best showing because he
wasn't really tested in his earlier appearances.
 
Saturday - MICHIGAN 4 Alaska Fairbanks 1
A tighter game, both on the scoreboard and on the ice, but
Michigan was clearly the dominant team.  Moberg returned
to the UAF nets and was superb, making 47 saves and keeping
the 'Nooks within striking distance.  Michigan seemed to be
doing what they wanted...making crisp passes, outmuscling
UAF down low and creating second and third chances, but
couldn't make the big finish.  The UM power play was clicking
again, accounting for the first three goals.  Warren Luhning
(2-0--2) and Hilton (0-4--4) were the stars on the stat sheet
for the Wolverines.  BU coach Jack Parker was "in the house",
checking out Berenzweig and UM RW Sean Ritchlin for
possible selection to the US WJC team.
 
Weekend Overall
In reality, Michigan coasted to two fairly routine wins.  The
Wolverines had the opportunity to put up a double-digit
goal count each night, while UAF was limited to only a few
quality chances each game.  The officiating certainly didn't
help the visitors.  On Friday, Mark Shegos (the evil half of
the Brothers Shegos) was brutal.  It was Steve Piotrowski's
turn on Saturday and, although I think Pi is one of the best
around, his big downfall is that he's often too big a part of
the game.  I'd say his performance was kind of a 'tweener.
I've seen him showcase himself more (i.e. have worse
nights), but there were a few times where he was a little
authority happy with the whistle.  For the weekend, UAF
received 23 minors and UM received 16 minors and one
misconduct.  The Wolverine power play was 7-19 while
the Nanooks were held to 1-11.  Cumulative shots were
Michigan 99 Alaska Fairbanks 29, which is probably a
better indication of UM's control of the games than the 6-1
and 4-1 scores.
 
Tuesday - The Red Berenson Show
Fans were blessed with a pair of special guests.  First,
former UM (WTKA) play-by-play man Ken Kal dropped
in on the ol' gang.  Ken has replaced HoFamer Bruce
Martyn with the Detroit Red Wings (WJR).  And, Ken had
Wing coach Scotty Bowman in tow.  Scotty entertained
the listening audience, except for when he mentioned that
he considered taking the MSU job in the 1970s.  (WTKA's
Jim Hunt commented to Red Berenson that it's bad enough
to lineup across Ron Mason, imagine if he to square off
with Bowman several times a season. :-)
 
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Milwaukee this
weekend...
 
 
John Haeussler ([log in to unmask])
Of course, I tried to entice Scotty into a game of air hockey,
but he would have none of it. :-)
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.