The sun rises
in the east. The sky is blue. Michigan is in the NCAA Frozen Four.
On the surface, all three seem like routine occurrences. And the
Wolverines are making their third straight trip to the NCAA Frozen
Four. But this isn't the typical Michigan team.
While Red Berenson's squads in the past featured high-octane offensive
attacks led by marquee forwards -- Oliver, Morrison, Madden, Hilbert,
Comrie and Cammalleri immediately come to mind -- this year's
Wolverines are a collection of savvy, tenacious, hard-working
veterans and talented underclassmen.
Fitting into the former category is junior defenseman Andy Burnes.
While he's not a flashy blueliner in the mold of a Paul Martin
or a physical presence like Doug Murray, the Battle Creek, Mich.,
product is a stalwart for the Maize and Blue and the leader of
a defensive corps that has jelled during Michigan's march to the
CCHA playoff championship and the Midwest Regional title.
Inside College Hockey caught up with Burnes to talk to him about
the upcoming Frozen Four and the Wolverines' chances at winning
the school's first national championship since 1998.
Inside College Hockey: For the second straight year,
your team managed to knock off higher-seeded opponents in the
NCAA Regionals at Yost Arena to advance to the Frozen Four. Is
playing at Yost really that big of an edge?
Andy Burnes: It is a pretty big advantage. I can’t
tell you that I didn’t love playing in front of the home
crowd, and I can’t tell you that when we scored and (the
crowd) stood up and exploded it didn't send chills down my spine.
I don’t think the crowd win and lose hockey games, but they
make it more memorable. It’s the loudest arena I’ve
ever played in. I think I’d have fun playing on the other
end of the stick as well; it would be fun to shut the crowd up
and take the momentum from them.
INCH:
The expectations for the Wolverines coming into the NCAA Tournament
weren't all that great, but here you at another Frozen Four. Do
you guys feel like you flew into Buffalo under the radar?
AB: I think definitely we're an underdog. We’ve
kind of been a underdog all year, with no superstars or no go-to
guys. We know that, first and foremost, we’re going to need
a good team effort...good production from every line and counting
on every player to play their hardest. That’s how weve been
successful this season; our ability to rely on four lines and
six defensemen.
INCH:
Does the underdog status change the way you and the rest of the
team approach the Frozen Four?
AB: Obviously, you don’t have that pressure
on you of being expected to win. It makes it fun knowing that
it’s going to take a total team effort and everybody on
the roster to accomplish our goal. If it does happen, that would
make it more special, knowing everybody played an equal part in
our success this year.
INCH:
It's been a rough year for the U-M defensive corps, with injuries,
academic ineligibilities and inexperience taking its toll on depth.
Did you feel like you had to be a stabilizing force back there?
AB:
I took a little more pride in my role not only being an upperclassman,
but also because I'm wearing the "A" (as one of the
team's assistant captains). It’s been importrant for me
to help out the younger players this year. I’ve been doing
my best to lead by example and make my presence felt, and so has
Mike Roemensky. He's a senior, so this is his last chance to leave
an impact and it’s important to him as well.
INCH:
You got to see goaltender Alvaro Montoya at his best in the West
Regional. How much fun was it for you to watch him succeed on
that stage?
AB: It’s great to see that. A lot of people
tell you goaltending can win you playoff games and Al was a perfect
example of that. He made a name for himself at the regional. He
made some absolutely tremendous saves, and when he makes saves
like that he makes a statement. You can see in the look in his
eye -- he’s into the game, he’s focused. It really
inspires the rest of our team.
INCH:
You've been at Michigan three years, and you've gone to three
Frozen Fours. It doesn't get routine, does it?
AB: No, I don’t think it can get old, but
it might get a little old if we don’t come back with what
we want. It's a bad feeling to live with all year. To be in that
position one more time, you know what you want and you know you're
ready to get it.
INCH: What is the mood like in the locker room right
now?
AB: Everybody is excited, but it’s kind
of quiet. We’re kind of on an even keel. this extra week
between the regional and the Frozen Four has been a long week.
It’s like the week before Christmas. There’s not an
hour that goes by when I don’t have it on my mind sitting
though classes or whatever. But it’s good. It’s setting
in...how much in means to me and how much I really want it.
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