Lost in all this ESPN sucks talk is the fact that inbetween the
golf and tennis we just saw one fo the greatest games in the history of
the NCAA tournament. Don't overlook that. I watched the game at Rafters,
our local sports bar, with most of the UMass athletic department. Almost
everybody was pissed off before the 3rd OT, but we can't let it overshadow the
game itself.
 
        MY OBSERVATIONS: Credit Freshman Marty Turco, with a simply
fantatstic preformance! He showed poise and grace underpressure, and made
some huge saves, especially the sprawling glove stop on the Maine break
away in the 2nd OT.
        Allison was stellar as well. Most of the season I've knocked him,
pointing out Maine's incredible D which makes his job easier than you'd
think. I took it all back, with the on-his-back save on Legg late in the
third.
 
        My vote for the best contributions though goes to Red Berenson. I
haven't seen too much of Michigan this year, but when I have, it's always
been a high-flying, Morrison and Knuble led attack, with Turco holding
the fort. Berenson, countered Maine's D, with something all too familiar,
Maine's D. Maine likes to prevent their opponents from scoring, and
capitalizing on quick counter-attacks. Michigan did this as well today
and had great success. Michigan has far stronger offensive weapons than
Maine, and by neutralizing Maine's guns, they held an advantage for a
good chunk of the game. Typically Maine stops their opponets offense
until it is comparable to their own. Michigan threw this ploy at maine
and it stalled the Black Bears for quite a while. The second period
especially had NO offense what so ever by either team, with both teams
playing Main'e style hockey.
 
        Excellent officiating in OT. Forget about swallowing the whistle,
I think the refs left their whistles in the locker room. Once the
Morrison hit on Wansborough three minutes into OT went uncalled, it was
clear that nothing would. For once though, the refs actually DIDN'T call
ANYTHING. Had they whistled one of the penalties towards the end of that
period, we could gripe, but I commend the refs for their clinic in
playoff OT officiating. No blood, no foul and mean it!
 
        I now like BU to win it all. After the game I took part in a
Final 4 discussion in WMUA's SportsLine, and the synopsis follows: Maine
is REALLY TIRED. Toward the end of the 2nd OT, I thought some players
from both teams would pass out at any moment. BU will beat Minnesota
tonight. Against Maine, I think they'll win. The Terriers have yet to
beat Maine this year, but they haven't played since December, when many
Terriers were still very inexperienced. I remember the GW Freeze Out loss
fell entirely on the shoulders of two rookie mistakes by Chris Kelleher,
who has since developed into a All-HE Rookie Team defenseman. Parker is
still looking to avenge disasterous endings to the past few seasons, and
will not let BU rest until they have their their fourth title.
 
        In conclusion...We should be happy that we got on ESPN in the
first place, LIVE for four of the six periods...A goaltending and
officiating clinc today...Berenson's a heck of a coach...BU's my pick to win.
 
        And I'm still interested in tickets for Saturday if anybody has
some to spare.
 
Leigh
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