Kornacki: Michigan's Comeback Kids Pull Out Another Win
12/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Dec. 6, 2015
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- This is a young Michigan ice hockey team, and so the term "Comeback Kids" applies to a group that just doesn't know how to quit.
The Wolverines trailed Wisconsin by two goals in the third period Saturday night (Dec. 5) at Yost Ice Arena but came away with a shootout win. Shootout goals by captain JT Compher and Alex Kile and freshman third-string goalie Chad Catt turning away both attempts by the Badgers secured victory.
It is the fourth time in this young season that No. 12 Michigan (8-2-3) averted defeat after trailing by two or more goals.
"Too many times," noted Wolverine head coach Red Berenson.
Falling behind isn't a consistent recipe for success, and so that frustrates Berenson. But finding a way to turn the tide in these games did put a fire in his eyes.
"I think they know they can," said Berenson. "It's not like we turn a switch on. I mean, it's a fine line between being on your heels and being on your toes. And right now, they've got a little bit of confidence. But they have to dig down.
"I've been a part of a lot of comebacks over the years. And every one of them was a change in direction in terms of passion, and second effort, and guys putting everything on the line no matter what it took, and really, really out-working and out-hustling the other team. And I thought our team started to do that, and that's what we need."
The first line of center Compher with hard-driving right wing Tyler Motte and freshman left wing Kyle Connor provided the biggest boost.
Motte cut the deficit to 5-4 with a goal just 3:19 into the third period with assists from Compher and Connor.
Then, less than three minutes later, Compher scored on a breakaway back-hander to tie the game on a perfect pass from defenseman and good friend Nolan De Jong with freshman defenseman Nicholas Boka also assisting.
"Any hockey player wants the puck on his stick when his team's down," said Compher. "On Tyler's goal, we had a good rush going, and I was able to see Tyler back door. (On my goal), that was a world-class pass by Nolan De Jong. He put it over three sticks right on my tape in stride, and it turned out great. So, I was lucky to put that in, and it feels good to come back in that game."
Defenseman Michael Downing scored the goal that made it 6-5 for Michigan midway through the third period.
"We don't give up," said Downing. "These are big games, and we all need these points. We wish we'd have gotten the six points. We're happy we got the shootout win, but these are games we need to win every night in order to set us up and put us in a good position moving forward."
The Wolverines got five of six possible points in the two games. Three points are awarded for victories attained in regulation or overtime but only two points come for shootout wins.
Catt was huge in assuring Michigan the two points. He stopped Cameron Hughes and then Luke Kunin -- both members of the Badgers' No. 1 line -- before Kile's goal eliminated the need for Wisconsin's third shot.
The game was over.
Left: JT Compher celebrates his third-period tying goal // Right: Alex Kile scores the shootout winner
Catt, who grew up about a 45-minute drive north in Williamston and played youth league games at Yost since he was eight years old, came on in relief of starter Zach Nagelvoort after Wisconsin took a 4-3 lead.
He gave up two goals with 12 saves before the shootout, when he stepped up big to stop Wisconsin's final two shots.
What was it like to realize success at this iconic rink after dreaming of just such a game as a boy?
"That was great to play in Yost," said Catt, his face lighting up. "It's very high energy and bright. I remember that ever since I was a little kid. It's just nice to finally play a good portion of the game here and feel the energy of the crowd. And to get that first win under your belt is always nice."
His only previous game action came late in a 7-3 win at Yost against Niagara, but this time he got to play when it mattered, and he came up big to support his team's late offensive surge.
The Wolverines won the third period, 3-1, and have been outstanding in that final period. They hold a 23-10 edge in the third this season.
Berenson was asked what it was going to take for his team to play all three periods as well as it can.
"If I knew that," said Berenson, "I wouldn't be sitting here looking like I'm 80 years old."
Reporters chuckled at that mention. Berenson is 75 but turns 76 on Tuesday (Dec. 8) and has been coaching the Wolverines since 1984, when he was only 44. So, he's seen pretty much everything that a college coach can see over four different decades.
"That's college sports," said Berenson. "It's momentum. Sometimes you'd wish you didn't have an end to a period. You'd like to keep playing. But the end of the period gives the other team a chance to re-group and re-focus, and your team gets to thinking they're better than they are. It's college hockey."
Michigan trailed the Badgers, 3-0 and 4-2, on Friday night (Dec. 4) before pulling out an improbable 6-4 win in the Big Ten opener.
"We found a way to score goals," said Berenson, "but we still gave up too many. Like, I don't like giving up three goals at home, and that would be six on the (two games) on the weekend. And we gave up 10.
"So, we've got to face facts. We've got to be a lot better than that."
Defense had been an emphasis this season because it's what's kept the Wolverines from returning to the NCAA Tournament and the elite circle of teams. So, it's frustrating for Berenson to see all the attention he's paid to defense along with his assistants yielding little results.
"Obviously, that's not good enough," said Downing. "We know it as a team. You give up 10 goals on the weekend, and you should get swept. But, luckily, our offense came up big this weekend, and Catt came in and helped us keep our energy. Ten goals, though, is unacceptable."
Compher added, "Obviously, there's a lot of work to be done. But fighting back from two-goal deficits and three-goal deficits can bring a team together. Overall, the resiliency was there, and that was good to see."
The first big comeback came Oct. 23 at Union in New York. The Wolverines trailed, 3-1, but scratched and clawed their way to a 5-5 tie.
On Oct. 30 at Yost, Michigan trailed Robert Morris, 3-1, before scoring four unanswered goals for a 5-3 win.
Then the Wolverines got the comeback victories this weekend. It's tough to make a living digging out of big holes, and the better teams will make that a more difficult chore. But for now, Michigan has found a way to turn frustration into jubilation with passion and a spirit that never quits.
