Red Berenson: Michigan hockey team played like 'spoiled brats'

By James Briggs AnnArbor.com

Posted on Sun, Nov 8, 2009 : midnight

If there's a drill that helps hockey players gain composure, you can bet University of Michigan coach Red Berenson will implement it in practice Monday.

Berenson described his players' behavior as amateurish after Michigan's 5-1 loss to Miami (Ohio) on Saturday. The Wolverines racked up 65 penalty minutes, including 51 minutes in the third period as the RedHawks pulled away.

Tristin Llewellyn, Kevin Lynch and Chad Langlais each received 10-minute misconduct penalties.

"I'm embarrassed," Berenson said. "We played like a bunch of spoiled brats, and we've gotta suck it up. When you're getting beat, you just keep working hard for the team. You don't take it out on the other team and take stupid penalties that are going to hurt your team even further. That's not the way we play hockey, and this team will learn that."

The education begins Monday, said senior defenseman Chris Summers.

"We need to be a better-composed team, and I think it starts with the upper-classmen and seniors," Summers said. "It starts at practice. It will be addressed on Monday."

Junior center Matt Rust took responsibility for losing his head. Rust picked up 2-minute penalties for cross-checking and charging.

"I think we might find ourselves (losing again), and I think we need to handle it a lot differently," Rust said. "Guys are taking dumb penalties, especially me. It's getting away from that smart style of hockey Michigan normally plays."

Berenson insisted there will not be another game this season in which Michigan players lose their cool.

"I think we'll keep our composure a whole lot better," Berenson said. "They'll hear it from me. It's unacceptable. We don't play that way."