At the Dexter Hockey Classic in Orono Brown has opened with a major
upset defeating Lake Superior State in a victory for hustle and
determination over size and ability.  Brown opened the scoring (before
I even reached my seat) with a power play goal.  Brown tried to play
a physical game from then on well into the second period, challenging
Lake Superior and banging enthusiaticly.  All it bought was a raft of
Lake Superior power plays and 4 - 1 lead for the Michigan team.  All
the Laker goals were ppg (one a 5 on 3 if my recollection is correct).
Brown may have been feeling aggrieved at the Laker's style, but the
Bruins cannot play this was with any subtlty.  They cross check just
the way a referee says: fists at the shoulders and a straight outward
thrust.  Once Brown got out of this mode and just hustled, they did
better.  Goeff Finch played a great game for them; often without much
help in front.  Brown was clearly skating at the edge of (and sometimes
over) their abilities.  In contrast Lake Superior was very "business
as usual".  The lack of fire was their downfall; as Brown clawed their
way back into the game, the Lakers could not raise their level of play.
Brown took the lead with 2:59 left and added an eng (after several
misses, the Lakers couldn't hold Brown in their own end even with the
extra skater) with about 30 sec left.  The fans who came early to see
the "slaughter" instead got to see a major upset and very exciting game.