Double Loss Drops M Icers To Fifth

Double Loss Drops M lcers To Fifth

BY NEIL KOEPKE

News Sports Writer

It was one of those weekends that Coach Dan Farrell and his Michigan hockey team would like to forget about soon as possible.

The Wolverines went into their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Colorado College tied for second with Minnesota and Michigan Tech, hoping to move up on first place Michigan State — just four points away.

But Michigan ran into a fired-up Colorado squad and lost both games of the series, 8-3 on Friday and 4-1 Saturday night. It was the first double loss of the season for the Maize and Blue.

Instead of moving up in the WCHA standings, the Wolverines fell into fifth place and now lead sixth place Notre Dame by one point.

Michigan, which played its worst game of the season Friday, looked better against the Tigers Saturday but it wasn’t enough as CC goalie Eddie Mio came up with a standout performance.

“Actually, we played well Saturday, but we just couldn't pul the puck in the net," said Farrell Sunday after arriving back from Colorado Springs.

“We played well enough to win but Mio had a hot night. We completely outplayed them in the third period but couldn't score. It was a very frustrating weekend. We had such a good chance to pick up some points on Michigan State."

Colorado College jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening period, scoring one goal early and two later int he session. Dave Delich beat Michigan goalie Robbie Moore at 1:35, then assisted on Mike Hie-field’s tally at 15:43. Delich put the Tigers ahead 3-0 at 18:49.

"We're allowing too many easy goals and that's a concern to me. They took that 3-0 lead and didn't have to work very hard."

Gary Morrison of the Wolverines cut CC's lead to 3-1 at 6:57 of the second stanza but less than three minutes later the Tigers regained their three-goal margin. Mike Haedrick tallied on a power play at 9:38.

The third period was scoreless and the Tigers skated off with the victory and a share of second place along with Michigan Tech and Minnesota, which split their series at Minneapolis.

"They tell me that this was the best Colorado has played all year." Farrell said. “They had lost six in a row but they played well. And I'd say our poor play also had something to do with it."

The Wolverines, who will play the Czechoslovakian National team (Klandno) Wednesday night at Yost Arena (7:30 p.m.) are home for their next six WCHA outings.

Farrell reported that Pat Hughes suffered a sprained knee and ankle Friday and his status won’t be known for a day or so. Hughes was sent flying by a "classic hip-check” by a Colorado player and actually did a complete flip in the air. When Hughes came down, he didn’t land on his skates but on his ankle and then on his knee causing injuries to both.

With Hughes on the sidelines and line-mate Angie Moretto still being hampered iby his injured' knee. Farrell may do some shuffling of his forwards before the Duluth contests.

In other WCHA action: Michigan Tech gained revenge for Friday’s 10-5 loss to Minnesota by hammering the Gophers 8-2 Saturday afternoon. Both teams are now 9-5 in the WCHA.

Warren Young, Jim Mayer and George Lyle each scored two goals to pace the Huskies.

Wisconsin took a pair from Denver, winning 7-5 Saturday after a 6-3 triumph on Friday. The Badgers are now 4-9-t* while Denver fell to 4-10.

Notre Dame also posted a sweep to move within a point of Michigan. The Irish, now 7-6-1 posted two 5-3 victories over last place North Dakota.

In non league action, Michigan State suffered a surprising double loss to Harvard. 8-6 and 4-3 while Duluth had better luck against the Ivy League, defeating Yale. 6-3.