A major challenge in writing these posts is to add an interesting/unique perspective to the events we see, especially around the games. For those who watched you already know that last night’s 5-4 OT loss to Notre Dame was one of the greatest hockey games you’ve ever seen. If you didn’t watch it you were pounding Google looking for Jake Long updates and would trade this Frozen Four appearance for a third down conversion against Utah. Those looking for a breakdown of the game know where to go. From my perspective, the epic that unfolded last night combined with the way the Blue fought back makes it hard to be too down over the result. I’ll admit that part of this is lack of dedication to the hockey program (although I’m on the season ticket waiting list) and thus my skin isn’t so much in the game as say a dude that bought tickets to Denver in January. Yes, it hurts that the #1 seed Wolverines are heading home to finish up their independent study courses and it doesn’t help that the opponent hails from South Bend. But I’ve had this feeling before. I’ve attended just about all of Michigan’s nail-biters in the past fifteen years and have seen some tough losses. The game I liken to last night’s epic…
-
-
Frozen Four bound: Michigan 2, Clarkson 0
A much needed confidence builder for Billy Sauer stopped all 27 shots as the Wolverines took down Clarkson 2-0 to advance to the Frozen Four. Nice! Hobey Baker finalist Kevin Porter added his fifth goal of the tournament and Aaron Palushaj had the game winner. UPDATE: Looks like we’ll be facing the Irish in Denver. Don’t forget to get your unofficial 2008 Michigan Frozen Four t-shirts and gear:
-
English Professor responds in Ann Arbor News
I recommend you check out the essay submitted to the Ann Arbor News ‘Other Voices’ column by Michigan English professor Randall Tessier. He’s responding to the News investigation and offers that Carty & team didn’t offer a fair voice to the challenge of how to truly evaluate students, given that teaching methods are evolving. Tessier suggests that many academics feel that to truly judge performance in the classroom, weight should be placed upon the progress of a student during the course. In such a model, “less gifted” students are rewarded for attendance, effort and ultimately for improvement. Tessier offers a few examples of recent student athletes that excelled in his classes despite being destined for a professional sports contract. He points the reader to this article in the Michigan Daily on Chad Kolarik as the hockey star mentions the influence his English class. And on Jake Long, Tessier calls the NFL-bound OT “a flat-out great student – smart, conscientious and dedicated.” Finally he offers up a great story on former stand-out M defenseman Jack Johnson, now with the L.A. Kings: Too many students look at the pursuit of a degree as simply a way to make money. Seeing how Johnson addressed his university experience taught them a lesson about the value of an education that I could never impart. Although…
-
Der Komisarek
Don’t miss Sports Illustrated’s piece titled ‘Big Banger’ on former Michigan icer Mike Komisarek. They’ve included a graphic that proves once and for all that the current Montreal Canadien is the toughest man in the NHL: And SI.com didn’t forget about where he honed his craft and got a quote from Red: During his two years at the University of Michigan, walk-ons hopeful of playing for the Wolverines would have to run the Komisarek gantlet. He remembers unloading on the newcomers, helmets and sticks flying as in a cartoon brawl. Says Michigan coach Red Berenson, “I’d have to say, ‘Mike, take it easy on your teammates. The enemy comes this weekend.’ “ Good to see some props to the rougher element of the NHL that we all used to love. Alles klar, Herr Kommissar Bettman? Mini eBay Watch: The University of Michigan Dance Marathon group is raising money and selling some cool items on eBay right now including a coach Berenson autographed stick, a football signed by BOTH Lloyd Carr and Rich Rodriguez and a host of other cool stuff. Check out their auctions here.
-
USA Today on Yost Ice Arena
Great article in USA Today that ran yesterday. . Also I see Michigan Sports Center included it as a must-read in its quick hits yesterday. Agreed, this is a must-read and it’s the second major media source to feature one of Michigan lessor known facilities in a week. The current issue of Sports Illustrated takes you down the hallowed lanes within Canham Natatorium to check on Michael Phelps and other Olympic hopefuls. Now yesterday, USA Today ran a story on the great Yost Ice Arena. Some highlights: First, here’s Coach Berenson on his pitch to recruits considering where they want to skate: “What I tell kids is that if you want to go to the school with the nicest rink, go straight to Grand Forks, because (North Dakota) has the nicest rink,” says Berenson, 68, former NHL player and coach. “But if you want to play in a rink with a great environment and a lot of history, then you should come to Michigan, because Yost is a player’s rink.” More Berenson feeling the pain of a poorly dressed parent: Berenson recalls fans poking fun at an opposing parent about her “polyester suit.”“They got into where she shopped and started chanting ‘Kmart,’ ” Berenson says. “And they are all in sync. It’s amazing. I felt bad for the parent.” Host…
-
Oxford Blues: Michigan takes 3
A great weekend for Michigan ended tonight in a 5-5 tie against the #1 Miami Ohio RedHawks. Unfortunately the Blue icers squandered a two goal lead in the third but have to be happy with the net result of the road series. And what a great game; would have been incredible to see it decided in a shoot out. The fourth Miami goal was a bit of a fluke: off the boards and off the back of the net. Sauer was turned around and it landed right on a Miami stick. The wood these guys get on the puck is unreal. They were firing lasers all night definitely check out the highlights if you missed it. UPDATE I: 3 points, not 4 like the previous title said…right. That’s what you get when you have a football guy talk hockey. Maybe next year they’ll have shoot-outs and a point for the overtime loss, 3 for a win. UPDATE II: Whoa, highlights of a regular season CCHA game made it onto ESPN’s SportsCenter! And here’s the recap from CSTV. They’ll probably post highlights soon. And Antoine Pitts posted post game interviews here as part of his recap.
-
Decision ’08: Vote Porter for Hobey Baker
At the suggestion of MVictors reader Duffy, here’s the link to where you can put in a fan vote for Kevin Porter for the 2008 Hobey Baker award. Vote early and often! Here’s a pprofile on Porter from mgoblue.com.
-
4-0 Michigan at 14:46 of the First Period!
Check out the live blog by Antoine Pitts on MLive right now, live from Oxford as the #2 Wolverines battle shell-shocked #1 Miami. Goals by Max Pacioretty, Aaron Palushaj (who has 3 points), Kevin Porter, and Louie Caporusso in a span of five minutes. Per Pitts, the students waited out all night to get into this one: Miami students, who get into the games for free, have been lined up all day. Some spent Thursday night in tents. They were let into the arena finally at about 6:45 p.m. Update: Michigan wins 4-2. Red Hawks tally two third period goals to make it interesting and get some momentum going into tomorrow. Great league win for the Blue.
