New Hampshire goaltender Michael Ayers earned my respect Saturday night.

For those who don't know, on Friday night Ayers had his left wrist (glove
hand) stepped on by a teammate creating a huge gash and severing a tendon in
his wrist.

But doctors in Bangor, Maine told Ayers that while he'll require surgery
this week, he couldn't do anymore damage to the wrist.  So Ayers (in his own
words) talked them into allowing him to play Saturday with a soft
cast/brace.

So Ayers laced them up Saturday night in Orono for possibly his last game of
the season as he faces a 4-6 week recovery time from surgery this week, but
it could be longer.  Ayers wasn't tested much in the first period, but Maine
kept building offense and by the end of the game Ayers had made more than 30
saves (33) and you can probably say earned the point for the tie for UNH.
Third-stringer Tim Collins might not have fared so well, especially in the
third.  You don't really want the first game for your walk-on third-stringer
to start in Orono with first-place on the line.

Keep in mind that it was Ayers glove hand which was injured.  He struggled
to cover pucks and it was obviously very uncomfortable.  But time after time
when Black Bear shooters went high, Ayers flashed his glove, including
stopping a canyon of a shot by Colin Shields in overtime.  Each shot hurt,
but he stood strong.  He was not beaten on a shot to his glove all night,
and don't think Maine didn't put a few up there.

In an age when pro sports are often all about the "money", last night
Michael Ayers showed everyone about true competitive sport.  In a hostile
environment with UNH needing a lift, Ayers stepped to the plate and took
care of business while in tremendous pain.  I am sure he wouldn't have
played if he didn't think he could perform and he was the game's #1 star,
and deserved every bit of it.

Good luck to Michael Ayers and I wish you a speedy recovery.  You are
obviously a gutsy, class act.

-dt



_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com