The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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through the years. "Shawn Hunwick is playing as And on and on it goes back well as he did during Michigan's two NCAA runs the past two sea- sons, and in today's game, with such talent spread throughout col- lege hockey, a goalie is the biggest difference-maker," said Comley, now an NHL scout. "In no other sport — maybe baseball, but a pitcher only pitches once every five days — can one player impact the game the way a goalie can." Comley should know. His 2007 ways a signature moment in an NCAA run where your goalie has to steal you a period or a game, or a penalty kill, and if you don't have a goalie capable of doing that, then you won't be moving on," Comley said. "When we won, Jeff Lerg played as well as a goalie can play. "If you have a great goalie, you're going to have a chance to advance." "It never fails, there is almost al- After four heartbreaking Frozen Four defeats — 2001, 2002, 2003 and ONE SHINING MOMENT solid second half (10-3-1), U-M is once again in line to compete for NCAA glory. "The goal at Michigan never changes — we want to win the na- tional championship," Glendening said. "But I think after last year, and then how we played in November when there were serious doubts we'd even be in position to make the tour- nament, the guys want it that much more. "I don't think you can map out a game plan that will get you to the Frozen Four and then to the finals, Sophomore defenseman Mac Bennett and the Wolverines are motivated by last year's 3-2, overtime loss to Minnesota Duluth in the NCAA national title game. Michigan State team was a three- seed in the NCAA Tournament and posted three upsets en route to the national title thanks to goalie Jeff Lerg. The sophomore posted a 1.25 goals-against average and a .954 save percentage in the four games. "This isn't a playoff series when you can have a bad night," Herr said. "If your goalie gives up a bad goal, it can mean your season is over with." 82 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2012 2008 — since Michigan last won a national title in 1998, the Maize and Blue truly believed they would stand atop the college hockey world after dispatching North Dakota in the NCAA semifinals in 2011. Instead, they fell 3-2 in overtime to the Bull- dogs, and had to come to terms with such a devastating loss last summer. After a strong October (6-1-1), a miserable November (1-6-1) and a PHOTO BY JULES AMEEL but you want everyone on the same page, playing for Michigan and not for themselves. I believe this team buys into that mentality of putting the team first, focusing on defense, and doing whatever we have to do to win games. "At this time of the year, no one has to give a speech. When we play our first game in the NCAA Tourna- ment, we'll be ready." ❑