Hockey: Irish look to declaw 5th-ranked Wolverines
By: CHRIS FEDERICO
Sports Editor
After having last weekend off, it's back to the grindstone for the Irish this week, as they head to Michigan for a pair of CCHA contests with the Wolverines.
The games will be the first of four away from the Joyce Center for the Irish, as 11 of their next 13 contests will come on the road. Notre Dame played its last five games at home, going 1-3-1 against three ranked opponents — No. 12 Ferris State, No. 1 Boston College and No. 11 Miami of Ohio
It doesn't get any easier for Notre Dame tonight, as Michigan enters the contest 8-1-1, undefeated in conference play and currently ranked fifth and sixth by the USCHO.com Poll and the USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Poll, respectively.
The Wolverines average 4.1 goals and just over 33 shots a game this season, while holding opponents under two goals per contest.
Sophomore forward David Moss has been the points leader for Michigan so far this season, with 10 points on three goals and seven assists. Freshman forward Jeff Tambellini paces the Wolverines in goals scored, with 6.
Though it didn't show in their record, the Irish played extremely well during their most recent homestand, topped off by Notre Dame's 2-1 victory over Miami its last time on the ice as Irish goaltender Morgan Cey made a career-high 44 saves.
The Irish have scored 3.1 goals per game this season, averaging 30.6 shots a contest. Junior Rob Globke leads the Irish in scoring with 11 points on seven goals and four assists, including the eventual game-winning goal in Notre Dame's victory over Miami.
If history is any indicator, the pair of games against the Wolverines this weekend will be a tough test for the Irish. Notre Dame has not won a regular season game in Michigan's Yost Arena since Oct. 22 1982 — a 9-5 victory. In their last 19 games at Yost, the Irish are just 1-17-1. The last meeting between the two teams, however, turned out more productive for the Irish — a 3-3 tie in the Joyce Center Jan. 4 of this year.
The teams face off tonight and Saturday, with starting time scheduled for 7:35 both nights.
Note:
The Irish announced the signing of five players to letters of intent Wednesday for the 2003-2004 season. The group includes goaltender David Brown of Stoney Creek, Ont., defenseman Noah Babin of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., defenseman Wes O'Neill of Essex, Ont., forward Jason Paige of Saginaw, Mich. and forward Josh Sciba of Westland, Mich.
"I'm very excited about this incoming group of players," Poulin said. "All five are highly skilled players who should be able to contribute as freshmen next season. They give us a good mix of size and speed and will add to our talent level and depth next season. With the loss of six players to graduation these five will have an excellent opportunity to step in and make immediate contributions as freshmen."
The six players who graduate at the end of this season are goaltender Tony Zasowski, defenseman Evan Nielsen and forwards Michael Chin, Connor Dunlop, Jake Wiegand and John Wroblewski.
All Sports Stories for Friday, November 22, 2002
