Feb. 15, 2008

By Dave Starman
Special to CSTV.com

DAVE STARMAN
Dave is a CSTV game and studio analyst, and contributes regular insight to CSTV.com.
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        ---   Column Archive   --- STAR TREATMENT 4/10: DelCastillo Calls It Quits At Alaska 4/1: Hobey Baker Breakdown 3/27: They Could Be Heroes 3/26: Chalk It Up 3/21: Notre Dame's Believing 3/14: It's Just Reality 2/22: Berenson Built To Coach Big Blue 2/15: Watching Michigan 2/9: Michigan Sizzles, Miami Fizzles 1/18: Irish Not Just About Football 1/11: Been There, But Not Done Yet 12/30: Tech Is Back 12/30: Michigan Is A Team Again 12/29: History Made, Revisited At Great Lakes Invitational 12/29: From Stripes To Suits 12/27: Go West Young Men 12/21: More Questions Than Answers 12/21: Forechecking Makes Things Happen 12/19: Not All Holiday Surprises Are Happy Ones 12/7: Feeling The Love 11/30: How About Next Time? 10/19: Home Sweet Home 10/10: What's The Worst That Can Happen? 9/27: A Shot In The Heart 9/25: CCHA Media Day Notebook 9/25: DelCastillo's Balancing Act 6/20: College Well Represented at NHL Draft 5/16: Morris Back in the Saddle 4/6: Numbers Game At Frozen Four 4/6: Notes On The Frozen Four 4/6: At Maine, There Is No Off-season 4/6: Behind The Scenes 4/5: Heart On Your Sleeve 4/5: Nothing New For Cavanaugh 4/5: Frozen Four Storylines 4/4: Even Keeled Whitehead Suits Maine Just Fine 4/3: Comley Calm Behind Spartans' Bench 3/24: The X-Factors: Saturday Edition 3/23: The X Factors: Friday's Semifinals 3/23: Sitting On The Panel 3/12: Two Expressions Told It All, One Is Lasting 3/7: Officiating, Conference Alignment and More 3/1: In A Fantasy World, Five Trades In College Hockey 2/7: Here They Come Again 1/31: Revamp The NCAA Tournament 1/26: No-goal Controversy Needs Another Look 12/29: Team USA Has Talent To Be Much Better 12/14: Composite or Wood? 12/6: Making Sense of the Senseless 11/24: Hensick Working On His Two-Way Play 11/7: Wisconsin is Fully Equipped 11/3: Pooley Receives Ultimate Honor 11/2: Off Wisconsin 10/6: NCAA Rules Committee Lays Down Law 6/27: NHL Entry Draft Thoughts 6/16: Collegiate Stars Making Mark In Finals 4/7: Damon and Moore: Maine Men 3/25: Women�s Frozen Four Notebook 3/23: At The Frozen Four With SLU 3/23: UW's Slusar Wins Off The Ice 3/7: Questions Asked And Answered 2/16: Pioneering Spirit 2/15: Playing Five Questions 12/20: Christmas Edition

The Michigan Wolverines are certainly one of America's most recognized college sports teams. Here on CSTV, the Wolverines hockey program is showcased anywhere from 4-6 times a season, and many of those times they are No. 1, or at least a top five team in the national polls. Last week, as the No. 2 team, they knocked off then-No. 1 Miami 4-2. This week, they are back to being No. 1.

The freshman class here in Ann Arbor is dynamic and hasn't missed a beat since day one. Led by seniors Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik and juniors Tim Miller, Billy Sauer and Mark Mitera, Michigan just might be the team of destiny in the NCAA.

When you watch Michigan (as I have 20 times this season live or on film) you begin to see a lot of trends. Here is a viewer's guide to some players to watch for when you watch Michigan tonight.

Kevin Porter. Great hand and puck skills and a future impact NHL player. A draft choice of the Phoenix Coyotes, Porter will remind his coach Wayne Gretzky of Adam Graves. Not exactly a power forward but a power forward type, Porter can certainly go around you but has uncanny ability to go through you and hold onto the puck. His wrist shot is right up there with T.J. Oshie and James Van Riemsdyk as tops in the nation. Great defensively also, Porter is a dynamic three zone player.

Chad Kolarik. For a kid known for his offense, he might be the most underrated defensive player in the country. He blocks shots, plays in his own end, finishes hits on his point man and back checks. Offensively, he is crafty with a determined ambition to get to the net. Great finisher from his off wing and crafty in tight. Watch him generate offense from his own end, something unique in this day and age.

Louie Caporusso. Sounds more like a Sopranos character than a hockey player (then again, Gino Cavallini also played college hockey), but this kid is pure enthusiasm and excitement. He brings energy to his team in key situations and has scored some huge goals in his freshman year, including an OT game-winner against Boston College and a game-winner with 20 seconds to go against Notre Dame on CSTV. Always near the net, good on draws, quick release, and very good vision to the net in traffic, he's a factor any time the puck is in the offensive zone.

Aaron Palushaj is another of those great freshmen that Michigan might enjoy for three more seasons. This kid's knack for getting pucks to the net is uncanny. He either shoots, chips, moves it or just plain takes it himself to the net. Quick, great hands, he might be the top rookie in college hockey. Finishes hits, plays with determination and wins a ton of one-on-one battles because of his competitive nature.

Chad Langlais.This rookie defenseman has impressed from day one. Composed with the puck, he is comfortable moving up ice with it or moving it and getting it back. Very solid as a one-on-one defender, his angling and agility against a wide rush is pretty good for a young kid. Handles physical pressure pretty well and gets shots through to the net. Very good offensively and his long reach and active stick are a huge weapon for him.

Enjoy the game tonight.