FAN BEHAVIOR STRESSED
By Jason Paul
October 3, 2002

Often known for their vocal chants and undying support for Michigan hockey,
the student section at Yost Ice Arena has been one of the most supportive
group of fans for the past decade.

In recent years, however, the vocal chants of support have deteriorated
into verbal attacks at opposing fans and parents.

At today's special open practice, it was no secret that the issue is on the
minds of those in power on the ice and off.

Media relations director Bruce Madej informed the crowd of several hundred
students that one of the changes being made at Yost this season is the
opposing team's parents will now be seated behind the penalty box area, so
they can see how great the students are. Naturally, the decision was met by
a chorus of boos.

Assistant captain John Shouneyia reminded the fans that they don't just
represent Michigan hockey but the university as well, and they need to be
respectful of others at all times.

Speaking last was coach Red Berenson, who reinforced the issue by once
again asking fans to cut out the profanity and to direct the chants
appropriately.

The Michigan students came under fire more this past season than any other
in recent memory for their profanity-laced tirades and chants. It led to
several altercations between students and supporters for the opposition,
pleas from coaches and the university to behave, and it even cost the
program some money when the NCAA docked part of their West Regional payment
due to "crowd control issues."

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BLUE-WHITE GAME
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Tomorrow night is the annual Blue-White intrasquad scrimmage. All tickets
are general admission and cost $5 for adults and $2 for children 12-and-under.

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GAMES BROADCAST ONLINE
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MGoBlue.com has announced they will be broadcasting all Michigan hockey
games this season. This should be a thrill to those of you who haven't
been able to listen to the games since WTKA stopped broadcasting online due
to the RIAA lawsuit.

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PRO NEWS
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In the latest round of NHL cuts, the Ottawa Senators sent Josh Langfeld to
their affiliate, whose name I can't remember at the moment, in the American
Hockey League.

Andy Hilbert was involved in a pretty interesting afternoon a few days
ago. He had already been assigned to Providence a while ago but it was
decided he would play in the Bruins game against the Rangers at Madison
Square Garden that afternoon. Hilbert was unaware of this, so after some
miscommunication, he missed the team. So, he had to drive to the
Providence arena to get his equipment. Problem: the arena was
locked. Then he had to call the trainers to open the arena. He finally
gassed up and left town by 2:30 p.m. Next problem: he's never been to New
York City before, so he had no idea where to go. He ended up calling a few
assistants on his cell phone while driving to navigate him to the
arena. Then he missed his exit and had to double back. By the time he got
to the arena and suited up, it was 5:45 p.m. and already the middle of the
second period. Still, he went on the ice and ended up scoring two goals
and nearly missed out on the hat trick. Quite an adventurous afternoon for
the former Wolverine standout.

Also in that game, Mark Messier was assessed a major penalty and game DQ
for elbowing Matt Herr. It was retaliation for Herr's check at center ice
early in the game that knocked Messier down (and from what I read was a
clean check).

And on the giving end of a major penalty and game DQ was defenseman Jeff
Jillson, who got the match penalty for kneeing during a San Jose game a few
days ago.

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That's all for now...

Go Blue!

Jason
Michigan Hockey Net
http://MichiganHockey.net/