The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1083898
92 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2019 MICHIGAN HOCKEY of us are really fast. That's one of our strengths. We're not afraid to go into the dirty areas in front of the net and in the corners. "We're maybe not as skilled as some of the other players on the team, but we work together and we use each other really well. "We're pretty interchangeable. During practices, we like to switch our roles around during drills. I'll take wing once in a while [instead of his usual center position], just to get a feel for it." "We're really aware of what's go- ing on defensively," Moyle said. "We know that we've got to do the little things that shuts them down. We need to keep the confidence that we have right now and keep playing off each other to make that chemistry continue to grow." Raabe feels his status as a sopho- more enables him to have the history to help his linemates navigate their initial season. "I'd say my role involves leader- ship a little bit because I'm experi- enced from last year," Raabe said. "On the bench, we'll talk about cer- tain things that have happened that maybe we can make better on the next shift. "Speed has always been a part of my game. Just using it to create chances, using it on the forecheck and on the back check." Of his linemates, Raabe added, "They're really good. Garrett's a hard-working guy. He's big. He's strong. He's good on draws. He's good in the corners. "Nolan obviously has great skills. He's easy to get the puck from. He's always got his head up. He's good at making plays." Ultimately, the success they've had only fuels the desire to continue playing a key role not only this sea- son, but into the future. "It's what you want," Raabe said. "You want to find chemistry with the guys that you have fun playing with and enjoy being with on and off the ice. They're great guys. "We get to play a lot and have had some success." ❏ Year-To-Date Record: 12-12-6 overall, 8-8-4 Big Ten National Ranking: Unranked by USCHO (as of Feb. 18) Best Win: 5-2 over Michigan State Feb. 9 The Wolverines' victory versus the Spartans in the annual "Duel in the D," game played at Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit, marked the first weekend se- ries sweep over an opponent since the Wolverines swept St. Lawrence in late October. Michigan led the contest the whole way, capitalizing on first period goals by sophomore forward Dakota Raabe and junior forward Will Lockwood. Fresh- man forward Nolan Moyle added two goals in the third period, helping U-M secure the "Iron D Trophy" for the third consecutive season. MVP: Junior forward Will Lockwood Lockwood makes his second straight monthly appearance in this slot, hav- ing taken over the lead of the Michigan offense after the season-ending injury to sophomore forward Josh Norris in January. Lockwood bagged a goal in six of the seven games between Jan. 24 and Feb. 12, highlighted by his one-goal and two-assist performance against Michi- gan State Feb. 8. Freshman Impact: Forward Nolan Moyle As one-third of the effective "MVR" line (along with fellow freshman center Garrett Van Wyhe and sophomore for- ward Dakota Raabe), Moyle's two-goal third period against Michigan State in the "Duel in the D" was instrumental in boosting the Wolverines to their first series sweep since late October. Player to watch: Sophomore for- ward Dakota Raabe Raabe has contributed five goals and seven assists to the U-M offense while serving a key role on both the penalty- killing and power play units. The speedy right wing is a fun player to watch and adds a touch of excitement with his ex- cellent skating and energetic shifts. Must-See Game: Ohio State at Yost Ice Arena Feb. 22-23 Both games in the weekend series against the highly ranked and conference- leading Buckeyes are crucial in Michigan's bid to finish in the top four of the Big Ten race to earn a home series in the first round of the Big Ten conference cham- pionship playoffs. Ohio State will look to rebound after being swept in Columbus by Minnesota on the previous weekend. Future Wolverine Watch: Forward Kent Johnson The 5-11, 155-pound center from Port Moody, British Columbia, is a full year and a half younger than any other play- ers on the roster of the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League, yet is third in total scoring for Trail with 20 goals and 25 assists in 55 games this season. Johnson is due to arrive in Ann Arbor in the fall of 2021, giving him am- ple time to time to improve his strength and add pounds to his frame. A prime example of U-M's renewed western Canada re- cruiting efforts due to associate head coach Bill Muckalt's contacts in that region, Johnson has become somewhat of a Twitter sensation with his highlight reel goals. He is a smooth-skating pivot with an extra gear when needed to complement his high hockey IQ. — Bob Miller Rookie forward Nolan Moyle's two third- period goals helped U-M knock off Michigan State 5-2 in Detroit Feb. 9. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Hockey Rewind: Jan. 21-Feb. 17