Behind Rutledge, Wolverines look to continue winning ways

Michigan goaltender Jared Rutledge proved to be the difference in the Wolverines/Spartans showdown last weekend. (Tom Turrill/MiHockey)

By Greg Garno –

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan hockey team’s push for positioning in the CCHA playoffs only gets tougher in the month of February.

The Wolverines, coming off their first sweep of the season against Michigan State last weekend, will not play on home ice until March. With only two games remaining at Yost Ice Arena, a late effort to make a push for salvageable season means playing on the road.

But last weekend could have also been a glimpse of the Michigan team to come, led by the strong play of freshman goaltender Jared Rutledge.

Rutledge’s performance, and the return of junior defenseman Mac Bennett, could provide the spark the Wolverines have been searching for when they take on Notre Dame on Friday and Saturday.

After finishing his season as the starting goaltender for the US NTDP Under-18 team, the Chicago native entered the season as Michigan’s starter. His performance left more to be desired and the freshman watched as fellow freshman Stave Racine and junior Adam Janecyk filled in. But following a sweep by Western Michigan, Michigan coach Red Berenson opted to return to Rutledge.

“Our team is working hard and we have to have more consistent goalkeeping,” Berenson said. “We wanted to see where Rutledge was and he looked better in practice.”

Rutledge, who allowed just two goals in both games, contributed to Michigan’s lowest goals-against average of the season; yet he did receive help from a defensive corps that held the Spartans to a combined 51 shots.

“It was a good experience for him,” Berenson said Saturday after his goaltender made 26 saves at Joe Louis Arena. “This is his first game … in a big environment like is with a lot of pressure on him, and I thought he handled it well.”

The Wolverines also receive help for their inconsistent defense with the return of Bennett, who began skating with the team again on Tuesday. Bennett, whose 13 points ranked second on the team for defensemen, has been out due to an injury suffered Jan. 8 in a 5-1 loss to Bowling Green. His return could mean more production for senior defenseman Lee Moffie and junior defenseman Jon Merrill, who spent a combined 12 minutes in the penalty box last weekend.

A forward duo has been heating up, as well — freshman Boo Nieves and sophomore Phil Di Giuseppe. The two, paired up with senior forward Kevin Lynch, was arguably Michigan’s strongest line over the weekend, tallying three goals and eight assists.

Nieves, who accounted for all three goals and two assists, has benefited as of late from the move to the center position. A natural center coming out of prep school and the Indiana Ice of USHL, Nieves has admitted that his current role feels more natural and has helped his production.

Junior forward Derek DeBlois has also found his offensive rhythm, scoring three goals over the weekend for the Wolverines. DeBlois, and the rest of the forwards, will be counted on to remain consistent when they take on a Fighting Irish defense that allows just 2.18 goals per game.

“I think at this point we have to keep it going,” Nieves said. “ We don’t have many more games left, we don’t have much more time to change much. So I think we just have to keep the momentum that we’ve gained from last week and keep it going.”

But the difference will ultimately come down to how Rutledge fairs against Notre Dame forward Anders Lee, who has 14 goals this season. The goaltender’s .868 save percentage still demonstrates how much more he needs to improve, but his coach and team are only concerned with the wins.

“I can’t tell you that he’s going to go on a roll, but if he does, he’ll play,” Berenson said. “If our team wins, and he plays well then that’s what we are looking for.

“I don’t think he’s at the top of his game yet, but these games will help him.”