(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!! =================================== HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.