Here's my take on last night's game....
 
 
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  Kevin C. Tompkins                     Comverse Network Systems
  phone/vmx = 1-888-525-3934 (x8740)    [log in to unmask]
  "Ya do....  what ya gotta do...  so... JUST DO IT!!!!!"
 
 
 


 
Well...  I too had the pleasure (and I do mean pleasure)
of taking in the Maine/BU game last evening.  This was
also my first experience at BU's famed Walter Brown Areana.
My first impression however was not so good.  When I saw
where Section N was - I thought I was being sent to the sin
bin for fans!  I mean that has to be the worst seating imaginable
for fans trying to watch a hockey game...  However, once
over there and settled in with the other Maine faithful,
it was at least tolerable... ;-)  I must say though - it's
time for them to upgrade and I do understand that indeed
the construction has started on their new rink.
 
First Period (the view through the netting)
------------
 
I knew this year's version of the Black Bears was going to
fast but I had no idea just how fast.  They were all over
the Terriers as everyone else has already attested to.
All of Maine's lines seemed to be firing on all cylinders but
the first line was just outstanding - they have to be one
of the finest around - I'm of course referring to the
Larose, Gustaffson and Kariya line.  They were very sharp.
In general, Maine was beating BU to every lose puck and just
controlling the play for the most part.  Maine had a few
defensive breakdowns and a near disaster when Janik decided
to carry the puck from the back of the net right in front of Alfie.
If not for some fancy stickhandling during this little sequence,
BU would have potted a very important goal.  However, Maine
was in complete control and cruising... 2-0.  (One note: the
shot count of 9-8 in favor of Maine was very misleading; Maine
really dominated play in this period)
 
Second Period
-------------
 
First off, my cohorts and I were able to relocate as one
my alert friends spied 3 open seats 4 rows behind the Maine
bench - sure enough, they were open so we relocated.... Phew!
I missed the comraderie of the other "Maineiacs" in attendance
but I was able to enjoy the game more from this vantage point
... ;-)
 
This period started out well again for the Black Bears but
BU started to play the body more and employ a more aggressive
forechecking scheme.  Maine was still getting good opportunites
but BU was getting some as well.  That BU aggressiveness resulted
in a goal and suddenly we had a hockey game.  However, Maine
battled back and this is where I thought the game was nearly
over.  Maine seemed to get fired up after that BU goal and
start skating again.  They got the 2 quick goals from Larose
and seemed on their way.  However, play evened up again and
BU just kept hanging in there.  They were getting good pressure
on Maine in their own defensive zone and were pressing for
another goal before the end of the period.  This flukey goal with
45 seconds left in the period was really a backbreaker as you
could see BU get fired up from that point on.  I didn't really
see how this goal went in but one of the reports I read was
that it was deflected by Bartlett and then ricochetted off of
a Maine defenseman's skate - at any rate, it caught Alfie off
guard and trickled in the net... oh well...  Things still
looked good though with Maine now staked to a 4-2 lead.
 
 
Third Period
------------
 
This period continued on with both sides getting their
opportunities.  However, once BU got the next goal on the
penalty by Kariya (I thought this was a cheap call since
Kariya's stick was being held and he just got caught in the wrong
position when trying to free it but hey,overall, Fitzy wasn't as
bad as I've seen him be in recent years... ;-)), the momentum
clearly now was in favor of the Terriers.  They were coming
at Maine hard and Maine seemed to be sitting back on their
heels and a lot of times were just dumping the puck out of
their zone but not going in after it with a purpose.  Alfie
was BIG in this period as he was not coughing up rebounds
and the Maine D was alert with clearing the puck (for the most
part anyways).  That's about it...
 
Final thoughts
--------------
 
This was a solid effort given that this road trip has had
to take some toll on this club.  They came out with a
vengeance though and played hard.  I was impressed that BU
hung in there and fought hard right up until the final buzzer.
It was another classic in the Maine/BU series.  (Don't get
me wrong - I would have like to see Maine cruise to an easier win
but let's take the W and now move on to an even greater
obstacle lurking on Chestnull Hill!  Let's see if the Black
Bears can take some of the "flight" out of the vaunted Eagle
Express.
 
P.S.  For another recap and some great quotes from Coach,
point your browzer to http://www.uscollegehockey.com (click
on Scores and Recaps).
 
- Kevin
(Class of '84)