To all concerned:
 
Vermont played it's best 60 minutes of hockey this year against Maine on
Saturday night. They should have won this game, they had many, many
opportunities to score, but Maine has Blair Allison and that was the
difference. Tim Thomas kept Vermont in the game throughout, making save
after save, turning away the Maine rush. Vermont's defense was again
superb. They have shown that they are maturing quickly and showing that
they are a force for teams to get through if they expect to get to Thomas
in net. But Maine pulled out the win, just like they always seem to do in
Alfond Arena.
 
The story-line of this game was luck. Vermont had it, Maine had it. Both
goalies made some incredible saves down the stretch to keep their team in
it, but when it came down to it, Maine got the lucky bounce, a puck that
hit the top crossbar and went into the net for the Black Bears' 2-1 OT
win over Vermont.
 
Yes, this shows that Maine beat Vermont and was the better team on the
scoreboard. But the Cats played like champions and earned alot of respect
from Maine because Vermont was just that close to beating them and
winning the Governor's Cup.
 
It was an incredible game, a great weekend of hockey. Vermont lost, but
realized that they can play with the "Big Boys" (a.k.a. BU, Maine).
Vermont played a tough team in a tough place to
play...almost winning. But now UVM returns home, and will look to pounce
on their next oppenents, and come even close to getting the
respect they deserve.
 
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* Howie Mansfield              email: [log in to unmask]  *
* South Burlington, VT 05403   phone #: (802) 864-3916        *
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* For UVM Hockey action, turn to my Homepage at...            *
* http://www.uvm.edu/~hmansfie                                *
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* University of Vermont Hockey / 7-2-1 overall, 3-0-1 ECAC    *
* Home of the Dynamic Duo - St. Louis & Perrin                *
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* GO CATS GO! Maine survives, but Dartmouth won't be as lucky *
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