"When the first half [of the season]
ended at Boston College [a 5‑1 loss
Dec. 13], we weren't happy with that
result, but I thought at least we had
won six out of our last eight. Our de‑
fense was solidifying.
"We were feeling better about our
defense, but our goalkeeper was still
up for grabs."
"Over the eight games, I think we
did a really good job," Copp added.
"Definitely a tough start, but we keep
improving. We keep climbing the
mountain. We're keeping ourselves
headed in the right direction."
Michigan started the second half of
the season with a resounding defen‑
sive effort, winning the 50th annual
Great Lakes Invitational Dec. 28‑29.
The tournament victory provided evi‑
dence of the defensive improvement
from goalie on out through the team's
forwards, with Michigan allowing just
two markers on 73 shots (.973 save per‑
Junior netminder Steve Racine recorded 71 saves in a pair of 2‑1 victories over Michigan
Tech and Michigan State en route to tournament MVP honors at the Great Lakes Invitational
Dec. 28‑29 in Detroit.
PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL
