The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
michigan hockey play.' There's never a plan for some‑ thing like that." A year ago, Michigan's goalies combined for an 18‑19‑3 mark, a 3.23 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage. They struggled, es‑ pecially early in the season. What a difference a year makes. "Our goalie play is night and day from last year," junior forward Alex Guptill said. "To be able to bring in a backup, he's been standing on his head. He's given us confidence. Our shoulders aren't slumping when a goal goes in." U-M's goalies stood 4‑1‑1 with a 1.80 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage through Oct. 28. "Last year, our whole defensive corps, even though we had more ex‑ perience, was worried about mak‑ ing mistakes because if you made a mistake, it ended up in the back of the net," Berenson said. "This year, we have a lot of young guys but no one is worried about the goalie now, and that's a real positive thing for our team." Tyler Motte, Freshmen Already Contributing Michigan's 10 freshmen, by virtue of their sheer numbers — the rook‑ ies represent better than one-third of the 28 skaters and goalies on the team — were going to play a big role this season, but they've already ex‑ ceeded the anticipated contribution early in the year with four forwards and three defensemen in the regular lineup. First-year netminder Zach Nagelvoort has also taken over in goal with an injury to sophomore starter Steve Racine. Third-line left winger Tyler Motte has been one of those fresh‑ men that has impressed. The 5‑10, 185-pounder held the team lead with four goals after six games, including a game winner in a 3‑2 overtime van‑ quishing of New Hampshire Oct. 19 and the game-tying goal in a 2‑1 win over Boston University Oct. 25. "Tyler is the kind of kid where the puck seems to follow him," head coach Red Berenson said. "He's a hardworking player with skill and smarts, and good instincts. Even de‑ fensively, here he is in his first few weeks at Michigan, and he's killing penalties. He's a kid that is ready to play at both ends of the ice." J.T. Compher was the top draft pick among his class, going in the second round last June, and he has played well early, tallying five assists in his role as the third-line center. He's also been strong defensively. Forwards Evan Allen (two goals) and Alex Kile (no points) have also played well, with Kile briefly play‑ ing on the first line before suffering a wrist injury that sidelined him for a game. "I didn't really know much about him until the first game when he had a few huge hits," said senior Derek DeBlois, who played alongside Kile on opening night. "He's a real physi‑ cal guy, and he has a finesse side that not many players have. Normally you get guys that can stickhandle but they can't go down and bury some‑ one, but he can do both." ❑