I went up to Kzoo to catch this game tonight.  It
was very much a defensive match up as the score
indicates. A few observations (sorry, I didn't take
notes and my memory is full of grad student stuff so
I can't give  you many names):
 
Western played the best game that I've ever seen
from a  WMU squad.  Their defense was absolutely
stifling.  The  final shots were announced as LSSU
40 - WMU 30, but this has got to be a case of
padding the home goaltender's save percentage.
Western was getting their defense set up at center
ice and challenging the Lakers for every foot of ice
they took.  I always say that I like to see the
defense challenge the puckcarrier at the blue line
before he can get a shot on goal, but WMU was
challenging at the OTHER blue line.  The Lakers had
a very difficult time putting anything together
offense wise.  By the 2nd period they seemed to be
frustrated and were taking shots as soon as they got
into the WMU zone. When
the Lakers started shooting the puck in to play dump
and chase, WMU went into their "creative
interference" mode that has been so effective for
them in past years.
 
WMU was also tough on offense.  Although they were
generally contained by the Laker defense (and Blaine
Lacher was outstanding in net), they did a very good
job of putting bodies in the slot and getting to the
loose pucks.  Their first goal was off of a high
rebound which landed near the face off circle and
was slammed home by a winger (sorry, no name).  The
2nd was a power play goal.  WMU's aggressiveness on
offense looks to make them a little vulnerable when
the other team can get the puck and get it out of
the zone  quickly.  The defense play pretty low and
are often not  back far enough to catch this.  This
resulted in the first Laker goal, unassisted by
Aldrich (I think). Generally, the Lakers were too
conservative to take advantage of this, playing a
control game and carefully  setting up the rush
which gave Western time to get  their defense ready
to break up the play at center ice.
 
The tieing goal (by the Lakers) was scored at 19:30
of the third period, with the goalie pulled.  The
goal was strongly disputed.  The WMU goalie made the
first save and then two different Lakers rushed the
crease, to scramble for the loose puck.  I was on
the other end of the rink so I have no idea what
happened, but I think  Western was complaining that
the puck was kicked in.  The refs debated for about
2 minutes before signalling a goal.  (WMU had a goal
waved off earlier in the 3rd.  A very similar play.
The ref ruled that the whistle had blown before the
puck was in the net.)  The Lakers's 2nd goal was
credited to Miller.
 
Keep an eye on WMU in the CCHA tourny at least.
Their tough defense could keep them in a game with
anyone  right now.
 
James Old