The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/262939
MICHIGAN HOCKEY lot of confidence. He has a good shot. There's no reason he can't compete and put the puck in the net when he gets scoring chances. "He's at a point where he could take off. I don't want to predict what kind of player anyone can be, but he's been through a real transition throughout his career at Michigan in terms of his expectations, and even from ours." BOO NIEVES LANGUISHING THROUGH GOAL DROUGHT Boo Nieves was not a noted goal scorer before he arrived at Michigan, but after netting eight markers in his rookie season, he was expected to increase production considerably in 2014. There were even some predict- ing he could lead the Wolverines in scoring, utilizing his immense offen- sive skill to become the first 20-goal scorer for the Maize and Blue since Louie Caporusso in 2010 (21). Nieves, though, is mired in a terri- ble slump, failing to score a goal since picking up his first of the year Oct. 12. Heading into U-M's weekend series at home against Penn State Feb. 21, Nieves had not scored in 24 contests. If there is any solace for Nieves, it is that he has company. Since 2000, there have been 14 goal droughts of 20 games or more among U-M for- wards that played in at least 30 con- tests that season, with Nieves' cur- rent skid the seventh-longest stretch. One of Nieves' teammates, junior center Travis Lynch, actually owns Michigan's longest scoring void, fin- ishing out the 2013 season without a marker in 34 consecutive contests. If there is a difference, it is that very few of these players were considered front-line forwards, which is the case for Nieves. Among the 11 players on the list (Ben Winnett and Tim Miller had a pair of 20-game droughts), only John Shouneyia (32 goals, 2000-03) and Andrew Ebbett (38, 2003-06) re- corded 30 career markers, with most of the other forwards serving as third- or fourth-liners. Scoring has been a consistent prob- lem for the team this year, though; the Maize and Blue rank 32nd nation- ally through 26 games averaging 2.81 goals per contest. They have scored just 26 goals over their last 10 games, with five first-, second- or third-line skaters enduring at least one pro- longed slump this year — junior Zach Hyman (12 games), freshman Tyler Motet (nine), senior Derek De- Blois (nine), junior Phil Di Giuseppe (eight and seven) and freshman J.T. Compher (eight). "As a player, you think you're pretty good and once in awhile you show it, but if you're really good, you show it all the time," head coach Red Berenson said. "And that's the chal- lenge for the player and coaches, to make them understand you have to go to the well every night, and every day in practice. If you're not doing it in practice, you're probably not go- ing to do it in a game. If you're not consistent in practice you won't be consistent in a game. "Consistency is the toughest thing for a young player, but we're seeing it with veterans too." ❑