Michigan hockey reached another Final Four

The Michigan Daily ANN ARBOR, Mich. (U-WIRE) -- Few thought that this was even going to happen. It's April, and the 1997-98 version of the Michigan hockey team is still playing. This was the year the Wolverines were finally going to take their fall. The talent-laden senior class of a year ago was gone, and a host of new faces were in the fold. This was the year Michigan State would finally break through and make a real run at the NCAA title. And after sweeping the Wolverines during the season, it seem ed that the Spartans had finally slayed their demons. But in the end, Michigan was the one left standing, which begs the question -- how? All it takes is one look at the man who guides Michigan, and you have your answer. Red Berenson, in his 14th year as Michigan's hockey coach, has driven this bunch of Wolverines to the NCAA semifinals with sheer determination. Berenson has performed a minor miracle with this year's team, considering the experience he was left with in comparison to last season. If you don't think so, take a look at the numbers. This year, the Wolverines have scored a total of 144 goals. A year ago, Michigan torched opponents all season long and put in a total of 242 goals. The scoring dip resulted in an average of roughly three goals a game less for the Wolverines. Yet, Michigan's victory total dropped off by only five games from last year -- and it could have been a few more. For a team based on a run-and-gun style of hockey, this resulted in a lot of close games -- 20, in fact, in which the Wolverines went 16-4, crushing the previous Michigan record of 10 one-goal victories. It was these games that gave the Wolverines a strong cohesiveness as crunch time approached. "When we went to Minnesota for the first game, I didn't know what to expect," Berenson said. "But everyone has stepped up to fill in the gaps -- fill in the cracks." Granted Michigan's freshmen class is a talented bunch -- as evidenced by blueliners Mike Van Ryn and Dave Huntzicker and forwards Mark Kosick and Josh Langfeld -- but the responsibility for their development has fallen squarely on the shoulders of Berenson. And in response, he has shined. Throughout the season, Berenson's disposition never wavered. When the media rained questions on him about the "fall" of his mighty program, Berenson never changed his song. He continuously downplayed all the hype of Michigan's surprising start to the season, as he quietly watched his young team grow. Berenson's mettle during what obviously was a trying season for the Wolverines has brought Michigan to the NCAA semifinals. Where critics in the past may have solely credited Michigan's talent for its success -- rather than its coaching -- the same cannot be done this year. This time around, it has been Berenson that has made the difference for the Wolverines. "It used to be when you were a coach, you were the leader of the flock," Berenson said. "Now I find that I'm more of a shepherd, just walking behind, picking up the strays. "And, well, we have more strays now than we did before." It was a simple anecdote, yet all too appropriate. Never in the past has Berenson needed to play such a vital role, but the coach has responded strongly. This was the second time in Berenson's coaching stint at Michigan that the Wolverines' winning percentage dropped from the previous season -- but no one will remember that. What will be remembered is that this year's team made it to Boston. Yet of course, Berenson continues his stoicism -- but what else would you expect? "It's another game in another building," Berenson said. Always focused on the task at hand, driven towards another goal -- the coach's work isn't done yet, even though he has exceeded the expectations of many. But then again, that's what people have come to expect from Red Berenson. "We didn't come here to play not to lose," Berenson said. "We're not a team that does that, we're going to play our game."