The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/666058
However, Michigan ran into, ar‑ guably, the best team in the country in North Dakota, falling by three — though the score was tied 2‑2 with 10 minutes remaining in the third period. There was disappointment after the defeat, but there was also excite‑ ment that U‑M had re‑established its NCAA presence. "I think we overachieved," Beren‑ son said. "I thought our team got bet‑ ter and stronger. I can't tell you there were any major weaknesses on our team. We lamented our penalty killing part of the year, and our goals against, but our team did really well. "We had a special line and we had players that had special seasons, and our goalkeeping was strong and gave us a chance, our defense showed up, our young guys made an impact. "That's what you want to see in col‑ lege hockey. And then you want to see your team improve, and I think we did that." For seniors Boo Nieves, Justin Sel‑ m a n a n d S t e v e Racine, there is a tremendous sense of pride on leav‑ ing the program in better shape than their rookie year, when U‑M suffered through its first los‑ ing season (18‑19‑3) since 1986‑87. "I talked to Justin Selman after our last game and the thing he was most proud of is the way we changed the culture," Compher said. "And the freshmen this year — all they know is Michigan hockey when it's winning, and that's the way it should be. "It was different when we came in as freshmen, but as a leadership core and as a team, what he was saying is they left Michigan better than when he found it, and I agree with him." But Michigan isn't truly back ac‑ cording to Berenson. "Until you put a string of years to‑ gether, you can't say that," he noted. "This was a good year, but we want to take it to another level now. We don't want to be that team riding home on the bus after your final game with nothing to show for it." THE FUTURE IS CLOUDY When Berenson spoke to the media March 29 following the conclusion of the season, the 2016‑17 campaign car‑ ried so much prom‑ ise. Motte, Compher and Connor had yet to make decisions on their future, and Be‑ renson was hopeful Motte and Compher would return for their senior seasons. "I would feel better about our team mov‑ ing forward if they came back," Beren‑ son said at the time. "They're the lead‑ ers of this team, and they would be the leaders of next year's team. … Is Michigan Head coach Red Berenson's future was up in the air, but he announced April 3 that he would return for a 33rd year at his alma mater. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL