Irish travel to Ann Arbor with new-found playoff hopes
By JEFF BALTRUZAK
Sports Writer
Last time it wasn't pretty. Watching nine goals go in your own net never is.
Notre Dame travels to Ann Arbor, Mich., for a single game on today to face the fifth-ranked Michigan Wolverines. The Irish will look to do something they haven't done since 1982 — win a regular season game at Yost Ice Arena.
On Jan. 23, the Wolverines thrashed the Irish 9-0, but Notre Dame is coming off a weekend sweep of Bowling Green, winning 3-2 and 5-3 at the Joyce Center last weekend. The Irish needed to win both games to remain in the playoff race.
The Irish are now 8-21-5 overall and 5-14-4 in CCHA play, good for a three-way tie for 10th with Lake Superior State and Bowling Green. Michigan is in second place in the CCHA and is coming off a split with Northern Michigan, winning 3-1 and losing 2-0.
With just five games remaining on the schedule, the Irish are feeling the playoff crunch. They need points, but it won't be easy against the Wolverines.
Michigan has history on its side. The two teams have met 94 times in the all-time series with Michigan holding a 53-38-3 advantage and since '92-'93, UM is 14-1-0 with the lone Irish win coming in the first game of the 1998 CCHA playoffs.
But if there were a time for the Irish to steal one against Michigan, Friday would be it. In a season with few peaks and many valleys, Notre Dame finds itself riding a peak after Bowling Green.
Freshman center Rob Globke, CCHA Rookie of the Week last week, returns to his home state following his most solid weekend yet. He netted two goals, including the game winner last Friday and had two assists in two wins against Bowling Green. Globke is tied for the team lead with 14 goals this season, the most goals for a Notre Dame freshman since 1984.
Also on a scoring tear is senior left winger Dan Carlson. He contributed three assists and a goal to the Irish cause against Bowling Green, to bring his season total to 36 points.
If Notre Dame wants to emerge victorious Friday, they must tighten up on defense and allow fewer shots. The Michigan game on Jan. 23
saw the Irish get peppered with 51 shots.
The key for Notre Dame will be to score early, and carry a lead into the third period. The Irish have not lost in 49 games when leading after 40 minutes of play. Notre Dame has led at the end of two periods in seven of their eight victories this season.
All Sports Stories for Friday, February 16, 2001
