Well put Nonnie.

I'll add one more thing to your observation about "protect the goal" a/k/a
"build from the crease out".  Most of you know I'd just as soon see 4-3
Maine wins as wins of 1-0 or 2-1.

What extra benefits accrue to teams who post high-scoring wins ?

Well, think of this: in a 1-0 shutout win, one guy pretty much becomes the
focus of attention on the team, unless the one goal is a FANTASTIC play.

In a 4-3 win, 5-2 or let's say even 5-4, a whole bunch of players on the
winning team get their names read by the PA announcer, get the after-goal
glove-touching bench skate-by, see their goal on TV replay, or get
interviewed after the game.  Sorry to say, less of that in those low-scoring
contests.

Everyone likes positive reinforcement of whatever talents they have. Hockey
players are in a game that really does recognize scoring first.  It is truly
the exceptional player who gets motivation from their defensive play.  Lots
more kids will go away feeling better in the high-scoring win than in a
nail-biter.

A couple of observations:  in the Maine NC loss to Denver in Boston, do we
remember more the stellar plays in goal that kept us in the game right to
the end, or instead Maine's "foot in the crease" goal called back, or the 6
on 3 frustration to close the contest ?

I'll quiz any hockey fan and ask who they would list as the top three
players in NHL history and just see how many include any goaltender among
their grouping.  Maybe we could try that same thing for Maine alumni ?

Finally, no wonder the "Acheson" end of game air horn blast for wins at
Alfond has caught on...most games the blasts happen too infrequently during
the contest !!

Dan