Wolverines Capture Fourth Straight GLI Trophy

DETROIT, Mich.--Right now the tournament is called the Great Lakes Invitational, but he name might as well be switched to the University of Michigan Invitational.

If the Wolverines keep winning every year, tournament officials may have no choice in the matter.

For the fourth consecutive year, Michigan walked away from Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit with two wins, a title and a lot of respect.

After beating Harvard, 3-1, in the opening round, Michigan (11-3-3 overall) had little problem dropping upstart Michigan Tech team 7-1 in the tournament's final.

"Four straight is a real feather in our cap," Michigan Coach Red Berenson said.

"We're hoping that these two wins will help bring our team together," said Steve Shields, Wolverine goalie and tournament Most Valuable Player.

Michigan had a roller coaster season coming into the tournament, showing flashes of brilliance and mediocrity at different times.

At one point, the Wolverines won 10 straight games to claim the No. 1 ranking in the country, but as of late, they have faltered--only managing to win one out of their last four games coming into this year's tournament. Included in the recent slide was a disheartening 10-0 clobbering at the hands of Lake Superior State.

Michigan hopes that winning the tournament will put all that inconsistency behind it.

"Now we can forget the first half of the season," Shields said.

Shields was named MVP of the tournament for the second straight year, after conceding only two goals in 120 minutes of play.

Michigan used its powerful defense and skillful offense to dismantle a lackluster Tech squad, which was clearly drained by its dramatic upset of Michigan State, 6-5, in the opening round.

"Last night we had to exert a lot of energy and emotion," Michigan Tech Coach Newell Brown said. "It took a lot away from us. We came out tired."

The Huskies (8-9-1) kept the game close for almost two periods. After being down early in the first period, 2-0, Liam Garvey scored Tech's lone tally to make it a one goal game.

Michigan's offense heated up near the end of the second period, however, scoring two more goals to put the game out of reach.

As Harvard learned on Friday night, Michigan is one team that cannot be beaten unless the Wolverines opponent is playing its best hockey.

"They're so strong," Brown marveled. "They just have an awful lot of explosive speed."

Wolverine forward and All-Tournament selection David Roberts led his team's attack with two goals and two assists in the championship game.

"There's a lot of hard work that goes into a tournament like this. That's why I look so unhappy all the time," Berenson said.