Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson wants CCHA to take action against goaltender abuse

By Pete Cunningham Sports Director

Posted on Fri, Feb 3, 2012 : 11:32 p.m.

Michigan hockey coach Red Berenson is taking exception to the way his Hobey Baker award-nominated goaltender is being treated, and he's letting the CCHA office know about it.

On three occasions during Michigan's 4-1 win over Miami on Friday, fifth-year senior Shawn Hunwick was run into his own goal by a Red Hawks player. On two occasions, his helmet went flying. On a play that was eventually called roughing on Miami's Curtis McKenzie, he laid on the ice in a daze in need of assistance from the training staff.

Michigan goaltender Shawn Hunwick, right, collides with Miami forward Tyler Biggs.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

Berenson said he plans to send tape to the league offices in Farmington Hills, which he has done in the past, but not gotten the reaction he's expected.

"We’ll keep sending the information to the league, but the league has to respond," Berenson said. "I don’t know that they’ve done a good job of it so far."

When Blake Coleman took a run at the 5-foot-7, 166-pound Hunwick in the final seconds of the game, a melee that lasted several minutes broke out when Michigan players retaliated. Coleman was called for a five minute charging major following the play.

Even Miami coach Enrico Blasi seemed upset with the tactics, getting in the face of his players after the game.

"I think their coach was upset with a couple of his players taking liberties," said Berenson, who doesn't anticipate the incident to muddle Saturday's series finale. "I think you’ll see an emotional game tomorrow, but I don’t think it’ll be out of hand."

Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.