Yes, it was a tie 4-4, but for Maine it clearly is a loss mentally and
emotionally.  They should have won this game, period.  Perhaps they
were "hung over" from a clearly tough loss to BU Friday.

I'd like to hear what people thought of this who were there, but here
are some thoughts I got from listening to the radio broadcast:

- Blair Marsh was very critical both today and Friday of the decision
to play Morrison Friday and Yeats today.  Marsh said often that Yeats
could do nothing but fail vs. Sacred Heart because it is expected that
Maine wins, and wins easily (neither of which happened).

- The broadcasters singled out Cliff Loya again, pointing out his
mistake vs. BU that led to the winning goal, but also saying that he
continued to turn the puck over and suggested that he be sat down
because as an upperclassman this cannot be tollerated.  If he was truly
that bad, it is hard to disagree with that.  I did not mention his name
after the game Friday, but since I did not see either game, I wanted to
bring him up and see if others who saw the game concur with the
broadcasters.

- Our defense is brutal right now at breaking out the puck.  Turnovers
led to at least 2 goals today, but it *sounded* as though it could have
been worse.  Sacred Heart did not generate much offense, but our
defense and breakout really helped them out.  Hockey East teams will
eat us alive unless we improve, and fast.  I think that Maine needs to
really go back to basics with the breakout and just focus on making the
smart, safe plays.

- Matt Yeats has lost his confidence and this is not good.  Marsh said
often Yeats needs to play against a good team in order to break out of
his funk, Sacred Heart (and perhaps not Quinnipiac next Sunday) is that
team.  But can Whitehead sacrifice a Hockey East game at home Friday
against Northeastern?  Morrison deserves to play, but we can't forget
where Yeats has taken us recently.

- Our Maine team is young and many of us (myself included) are going to
be critical, especially after what I feel is a poor result (4-4 tie)
against a clearly lesser opponent.  However, I do think the team is
playing hard and that they are trying and that is important.  They've
been inconsisent and I think they lack confidence as a whole right
now.. perhaps leadership as well?  Things have been tough for them with
the loss of Shawn Walsh and new coaches, etc, but right now they do not
seem to be polarized by this, but rather hampered by it.

"If you don't have the best, make the best of what you have."
-- Shawn Walsh



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