A few other thoughts I had on the 1989 v 1991 argument:
 
    In thinking about Saturday's game, I can't really blame the goalies for
    too many of the goals that were scored.  I chalk them up to overwhelming
    offense on the part of both teams.  Perhaps their defensive play wasn't
    good, but I can't blame Pye and Bradley/Cashman.  Bradley, in particular,
    surrendered three goals late in the second after defensive breakdowns
    left Beattie (twice) and Plandowski in very dangerous positions right in
    front.  He wasn't taken out because of his play but because Parker hoped
    to spark his team.  And in the third and ots, Pye made some incredible
    saves (Amonte at the buzzer) to keep NMU from losing the game.  One big
    difference I see between 1989 & 1991 is that NMU/BU had much, much better
    offensive players who were very difficult to contain.  NMU broke the NCAA
    record for scoring this season, and BU broke the all-time Terrier goal-
    scoring record:
                                    GP   G  G/Game
         1991 Northern Michigan     47 283  6.02
         1991 BU                    41 234  5.71
         1989 Harvard               34 191  5.62
         1989 Minnesota             48 213  4.44
 
    I do think Minnesota & Harvard were more rounded teams, but NMU & BU
    also were solid on defense.  Parker said it was the best Terrier D he'd
    ever had, and NMU had Werenka & Melone; they only allowed 2.83 goals per
    game.
 
    One would think the number of goals scored indicates that they were not
    playing good defense and that the goaltending wasn't up to par, but I
    really don't think that was the case.  I think we would have seen a low-
    scoring game if 1) BU hadn't opened up that three-goal lead in the first
    which caused NMU to really throw everything at the Terriers in the 2nd,
    and 2) NMU hadn't roared back to go up by 3, which caused BU to do a
    little cranking up of their own.  There were a ton of great defensive
    plays in the game by guys like Werenka and Ahola, and most of the 87
    shots were of the quality shot variety.  Plus, how many posts were hit
    in total during the game - about 10?
 
    I guess the two incredible comebacks is why I put this game a little higher
    than 1989, along with the three exciting overtimes.  It's definitely not
    something to argue over, though, because both were great games and both
    deserve to have their tapes pulled out and watched again from time to time.
 
 
    - mike