The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/653976
MICHIGAN HOCKEY Werenski's 28 points and nine goals led all Big Ten blue liners. He became the first Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in the program's history — prior to the Big Ten's origi- nation in 2013-14, the CCHA honored a best defensive defenseman, won three times by Wolverines, and a best defensive forward, won eight times by Michigan skaters. Connor (61 points), Compher (52) and Motte (50) were the top three point producers in the Big Ten this year (Motte's 50 were nine better HOCKEY NOTEBOOK • Following Michigan's 6‑1 win over Penn State March 12 on Senior Night, head coach Red Berenson was asked about the fans chanting his name and saying 'thank you Red' amid reports that he will retire after this year. "They don't know and neither do I [if this is my last year]," Berenson said, ta‑ bling any discussion until after U‑M's season comes to its conclusion. • Berenson applauded the fans for sticking around after the Wolverines' win to salute the three seniors. "I liked that our fans stayed," he said. "It's like our fans are all parents of play‑ ers. They care about the players, care about the seniors, care about the team. I think it's a great tribute to our fans, how respectful they are and how aware they are." Senior goalie Steve Racine definitely took notice. "Before I went out on the ice I turned to Justin [Selman, a fellow senior] and said, 'Look how many fans are still here for the ceremony,'" he recalled. "It was awesome to see and a really cool way to close out our careers here." • Sophomore Cutler Martin moved up to forward for three games, Feb. 19 against Ferris State and a series Feb. 26‑27 at Minnesota. He did not record a point and was minus‑1, though he played better than his stats indicate. However, with the return of sophomore Tony Calderone from injury March 4, Martin returned to defense for the final four games of the regular season, con‑ tributing a goal and two assists, and had a plus/minus of plus‑1. • Michigan outscored Penn State 26‑9 in a four‑game sweep of the Nittany Li‑ ons this year. U‑M has now averaged 4.6 goals per game in 13 career meetings with the Blue and White and is 7‑6‑0 against PSU, holding a winning record against Penn State for the first time since Michigan won the first‑ever game between the two programs Feb. 7, 2014. • The Maize and Blue finished the regular season averaging 4.82 goals per game in 34 contests, the highest mark by any NCAA team since Quinnipiac averaged 5.42 in 1999‑2000. • With Michigan's second‑place finish in the Big Ten regular‑season standings, the Maize and Blue have nine runner‑up conference performances in addition to 11 championships in Berenson's 32 years behind the bench.