Steve (the puck stops here) Archer wrote, in part..
>> It also helped that the teams rose above what was not a very good
>> officiating job and made the game that much better.
>
>i'm interested that this hasn't ben brought up before. Probably
>because of the elation that we are all feeling at this time.  This
>also struck me. As I was watching the game I made several comments
>as to how Noeth seemed to be the man who wanted the spotlight.  He
>called the game EXTREMELY tight.  ...
 
Yes, except that he seemed to be reborn in the 3rd period and overtime.
Then, events that would have been penalties earlier weren't.  Even
worse, a fairly strong HEA emphasis and supposed NCAA emphasis this year
(holding the stick) seemed completely ignored.
 
I had to laugh when one UNH player ended up with two sticks and seemed
to drop the wrong one.  Another time, Cullen pulled himself up "using"
the stick of a UNH player.
 
I don't think Noeth was bad, but the style of calling "everything" does
not seem typical for a championship game.
 
I find it very interesting that officials (basketball, football and
perhaps most of all baseball and hockey) say they call rules when they
play with the rules and call the style they have learned over the years.
 
   Now that all the officials are mad at me, I'll return to the subject
   "congratulations!" ...
 
Congratulations to all the players and people associated with the
program.  You all did your part and more, and look at what you've
accomplished!  You'll cherish this time and these events forever, and so
will the rest of us Mainers and would-be Mainers.
 
Back in October I wrote in this forum ...
 
   ... hockey will really be back.  We have the potential for one
   of the most exciting years ever.  ...
 
Lots of people and teams have potential.  I give credit to Coach Walsh
and the players for turning that potential into a great team.  It's a
team that we were proud of even if they hadn't won the national
championship.  But they did, and every member seemed to put the team
ahead of individual goals.  What a great lesson!  What a great bunch of
student-athletes.  I hope they and all you readers remember Maine, and
the preparation you found here, as you seek your future goals.  (pun
intended)
 
I'll be at Commencement, May 8th, to honor all the graduates; I hope
many of you will be there, too.
 
How 'bout dem bears?!
 
Best regards to Maine Men's Ice Hockey, 1998-99, the NCAA National
Champions.  How sweet it is!
 
Wayne T. Smith
[log in to unmask]                          Old Town Landing
Co-owner of the College Hockey lists - Hockey-L and Hockey3