Sources close to the University of Maine hockey program said a change of
underwear was not the only inspiration that helped the Black Bears sweep the
University of New Hampshire Wildcats in the first round of the Hockey East
tournament.
 
Following Friday night's 3-2 victory in double overtime, UMaine coach Shawn
Walsh told reporters that he had his team change their underwear after the
first overtime, and the refreshing feel of clean drawers gave the lads an
extra boost during the second overtime. (Walsh had used the change-of-
underwear gambit during UMaine's triple overtime victory over Michigan in the
1995 NCAA semifinals, as well.)
 
What Walsh did not tell the press, however, is that the Bears were also
motivated by copies of messages that were posted to Hockey-L earlier in the
year by UNH supporter Greg Ambrose. Those messages apparently provided the
Bears a little extra incentive to sweep the Wildcats in their own den.
 
Asked which of the two--the fresh underwear or Greg's comments--was the more
effective motivator, Walsh declined to comment.
 
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