The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/178977
been ramped up and will feature matchups against powerhouses Boston College and Boston University, and the Maize and Blue are coming off a season in which they did not make the NCAA Tournament, snapping a 22-year streak that had been a college hockey record. "We're excited about the new season," said Berenson, now entering his 30th campaign behind the bench for Michigan. "We have 10 freshmen, and whenever you have a good group of young kids, you'll have a lot of enthusiasm that comes with that. "Then we have a new conference to compete in, and that brings something new even for the seniors. Our schedule has a whole new look to it — our fans will like it and our team will like it. Our challenge is to get ready for it. This is as tough a schedule as I can remember in recent years, especially with 10 freshmen." Double-digit freshmen or not, a competitive Big Ten or not, a daunting schedule or not, the Wolverines' goal remains the same. "The standard that was set for me [my freshman year] was playing in the national championship game," Bennett said. "Our leadership group and the seniors really want to re-emphasize that was the standard, and we want our freshmen to understand that." For U-M to realize its lofty ambition this season, it will need continued strong play from its goalie, sophomore Steve Racine, a young blue line to grow up quickly, and a talented and deep group of forwards to consistently perform like the strength they should be. It Starts In Net When the 2012-13 season began, Jared Rutledge was named the starter. He was the scholarship goalie in the class of 2013 with the most accomplished résumé. However, in U-M's season opener, Rutledge allowed five goals on 26 shots, including three goals on eight third-period shots while Michigan surrendered a 4‑2 lead to fall in overtime 5‑4. Over the next four-plus months, Rutledge, his classmate, Racine, and Adam Janecyk were all given a chance to start between the pipes, the coaches hopeful one of them would seize the opportunity, but when Racine stepped in for the Maize and Blue's Feb. 22 matchup at Ohio State, the expectations for any goalie were nil. Racine was 4‑5‑2 with a 2.71 goals-against average and an .880 save percentage; Janecyk was 3‑7‑0 with a 3.46 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage; and Rutledge was 3‑6‑0 with a 4.24 GAA and a .854 save percentage. Racine allowed three goals in backto-back games against the Buckeyes, but Michigan won both contests, and he actually posted a .900 save percentage, providing some hope. Then, Racine got hot. He went 6-1-1 in U-M's final eight games, allowing just 15 goals (1.88 per game) while stopping 92.7 percent of the shots he faced. The Maize and Blue swept Northern Michigan and Western Michigan in the CCHA playoffs, upset Miami (Ohio) in the semifinals and almost knocked off Notre Dame in the championship,