The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Carl Hagelin Gets Unique Introduction To Playoff Hockey F BY CHRIS BALAS lin was on top of the world. He'd notched an assist, three hits, three shots on goal and a plus-one rating in the New York Rangers' 4-2 win over Ottawa in game one of an East- ern Conference quarterfinal, and re- ceived praise for his play in his first- ever taste of the postseason. The Associated Press reported or one playoff game, former Michigan standout Carl Hage- Hagelin's defensive work in the of- fensive zone led to goals by linemates Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards, and helped New York build a 4-0 lead. "I tried to get my stick on pucks and keep the puck in there," Hagelin said. "He was very good," Gaborik added. "There were a lot of guys who played their first playoff game, and they did well. It was a big team effort. I think they're ready for game two." That one was a different story, ending in Hagelin's three-game sus- pension for an elbow to the head of Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson. Hage- lin drew a five-minute major after sending the Senators' captain into the glass. Though Hagelin later apolo- gized to both Alfredsson and league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan, that didn't prevent the suspension. "After Alfredsson chips the puck up the boards, Hagelin continues on his path and finishes his check with his arms high, recklessly striking Al- fredsson in the side of head with his elbow," Shanahan said in a video ex- planation that accompanied the an- nouncement of the suspension. "This hit is a clear violation of what is de- fined by NHL rules as elbowing." Hagelin insisted there was no in- tent to injure. "I tried to finish my check ,and he chipped it out and kind of went back a bit, so my elbow came up," he said. "His stick came up in my face and I moved my head back a bit and my elbow hit him in the head. I just hope he's doing well and that he can play [in game three]." Alfredsson instead sat out a 1-0 loss that gave New York, the No. 1 seed, a 2-1 series lead. Hagelin posted an assist and a plus-one rating in his playoff debut for the Rangers, but was suspended for three games after an illegal hit in his next outing. PHOTO BY JAMIE KELLNER 78 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2012 in 2011-12, the most of any NCAA program for the fifth consecutive Michigan sent 24 alums to the NHL NHL WITH 24 ALUMNI MICHIGAN LEADS