Wolverine duos return bolsters lineup
Michigan sophomore Mike Brown thinks it is mere coincidence he and roommate David Rohlfs, who have each missed the last four games due to mononucleosis, share the same affliction. Regardless, the two Wolverines' presence has been missed by U-M, which is not as physical without the two rugged wingers. This weekend, though, both players are set to return to the lineup when Michigan travels to Nebraska-Omaha for a two-game series.
"I think they're going to be fine," U-M head coach Red Berenson said. "[Tuesday] was the first day they had any contact, but they should be 100 percent [by the weekend]. Unless they have a relapse, which is highly unlikely at this point, they will be cleared to play."
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The news isn't all good on the injury/illness front. Senior David Moss, who returned to the lineup last weekend after missing two games against Northern Michigan Jan. 28-29 with a groin injury, was held out of practice on Tuesday because of back strain. With the team leaving for UNO on Thursday morning, Moss needs to have a good practice on Wednesday to convince coaches he's capable of playing against the Mavericks.
If Moss is unable to play, seniors Charlie Henderson and Mike Woodford will both play. Even is Moss can't go, Michigan is receiving a much-needed momentum injection thanks to Brown and Rohlfs' return. Their teammates are excited to have them back in the lineup, though they have been giving the duo a hard time (in jest).
"Every time Brown puts the water bottle near his mouth I mark it and make sure I don't drink out of it," senior captain Eric Nystrom said.
"They're going to be good additions to our lineup this weekend. Rohlfs is a big guy who knows how to use that frame and we need him to with [senior Jason] Ryznar and maybe Moss out. Brown is our go-to pound-the-puck physical guy. They're two good additions especially in the hard-hitting weekend we're expecting."
When they take to the ice on Friday, Brown's and Rohlfs' load will not be lightened, Berenson said. Brown has been matched up with center T.J. Hensick and Jeff Tambellini – U-M's top two scorers. Neither of the two offensive threats are terribly physical players so Brown will be expected to do much of the dirty work in the corners and act as a bodyguard.
"I have to do a lot of the physical play with those two guys, so I need to be 100 percent," said Brown. "I feel a lot better, but it's still my first time skating after a couple of weeks, and more than anything else, I have to get my legs back. But I should be ready to play my kind of game by the weekend."
Brown was fortunate he said because he did not have a very bad case of mono. He felt the ailment affected him almost as much mentally as it did physically.
"The first time I heard I had it, it was all mental and I slept for 13-14 hours," Brown said. "Just as quickly as I learned I had, I felt more tired than maybe I actually was. The big thing was convincing myself that it wasn't that bad.
"I've had to take a few more naps here or there, but I haven't come close to sleeping for like 20 hours straight. I do feel well-rested, and I'm anxious to get back out on the ice."
Note:
Michigan's possible line combinations this weekend are:
Milan Gajic – Mike Woodford – Charlie Henderson