BREAKING IT DOWN
	A look at the Michigan Wolverines:
	SOME HISTORY • Record: 30-9-3 • Coach: Red Berenson • The Wolverines are back -- yes, again. And while Michigan is backed up by tradition and veteran coach Red Berenson, the Wolverines have had a streak of tournament losses to go along with their streak of appearances. Michigan makes its third consecutive trip to the Frozen Four and its 13th straight tournament appearance overall -- both records. But it has lost its last two appearances to eventual champions -- Boston College (2001) and Minnesota (2002). It makes the Wolverines' meeting with the Golden Gophers that much more intriguing, adding to one of the most storied rivalries in college hockey history. Michigan won the only regular-season meeting between the two teams, a 3-1 tilt back on Dec. 1. PROBABLE LINES Left-Center-Right • J.Tambellini-John Shouneyia-J.Ortmeyer • E. Nystrom-Dwight Helminen-Mark Mink • B.Kleniecki-Andrew Ebbett-Michael Woodford • Jason Ryznar-David Moss-Milan Gajic Left defense-Right defense • Mike Roemensky-Andy Burnes • Nick Martens-J.J. Swistak • Danny Richmond-Brandon Rogers Goaltenders • Al Montoya-Noah Ruden NHL DRAFT PICKS ON ROSTER • Milan Gajic (Atlanta, 2001, 4th rd.) • Dwight Helminen (Edm., 2002, 8th rd.) • David Moss (Calgary, 2001, 7th rd.) • Eric Nystrom (Calgary, 2002, 1st rd.) • Brandon Rogers (Ducks, 2001, 4th rd.) • Jason Ryznar (N.J., 2002, 3rd rd.) • Michael Woodford (Fla., 2001, 4th rd.) HOW THEY GOT THERE: • How they reached the tourney CCHA champion, Midwest's No. 3 seed • First Round Beat Maine 2-1 • West Regional Final Beat Colorado College, 5-3

 
OFFENSE..................................................
Some might be shocked that Jeff Tambellini leads the Wolverines in scoring (26 goals, 18 assists). But considering he has an NHL scout for a father (Steve is the vice president of player personnel for the Canucks), it should be no surprise that the younger Tambellini is showing the poise and skill that has guided Michigan this season. His opponents have been watching. Only two of his 26 goals have come in the past 10 games, and he has been defended by teams' top lines. But it doesn't stop there for Michigan, which has received big goals from all four lines: Mark Mink (second), Jason Ryznar (fourth) and Milan Gajic (fourth) have all scored in the past two games. Tambellini also has strength on his top line with senior center John Shouneyia (28 assists) and senior forward Jed Ortmeyer, the Wolverines' aggressive and physical unit that sets the pace. And with Tambellini held scoreless in the first two tourney games, he's more than due.
 
DEFENSE......................................
With four of their six defensemen over 6-0, the Wolverines defense can bring more power to the punch. Michigan's penalty-killing unit topped the nation for most of the season and is second heading into the Frozen Four. The Wolverines have allowed just 23 power-play goals for a .889 (185-for-209) penalty-killing percentage. Only Cornell's is better (.904).
 
GOALTENDING......................................
All season long, even when Michigan struggled early in the season with Ortmeyer's absence, the one constant has been freshman goalie Al Montoya. The youngest player in college hockey (he just turned 18 on Feb. 13), Montoya is tied for first nationally with 30 wins, and he's started every game for Michigan this season. One obvious question will be how the freshman handles the NCAA Tournament spotlight. Well, Montoya has already been poised on the big stage, posting a 1.75 goals-against average in the last four games at the CCHA Super Six and the NCAA Midwest Regional.
 
THEY SAID IT.........................................
"I grow hair like it's no one's business. I've already trimmed this thing three times, and it's still a full beard." -- Milan Gajic on the playoff ritual (Ann Arbor News)
 
DID YOU KNOW?....................................
With its win over Colorado College in the Midwest Regional final, Michigan reached the 30-win mark for the ninth time in school history. The last time the Wolverines reached that plateau was during the 1997-98 -- the last time they won a national championship.