Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll get around to posting. :P
 
Seriously, though... I was at the final three games (having missed the
early CC-UVM game on Friday due to freezing drizzle on the interstate!),
and I'll give some random comments based on what I saw from section 406 in
the Bradley Center.
 
-       UW played better than I've seen them play all year in the UNH game.
Not only did they shoot out to a 4-0 lead, but they did a much better job
of passing and playing as a team than I've seen them.  Credit UNH for
settling down after the initial flurry and coming back with five unanswered
of their own to make the first period score 5-4.  Nine goals in a period is
a new Showdown record.
 
-       UNH showed a lot of skill and speed, and showed that their main
weakness is defense.  The UW-UNH game in general was cleanly played by both
sides, IMHO, and was extremely entertaining to watch.  Obviously, neither
goalie was on his game, and both were replaced for the Saturday games.
Daubenspeck (or "Daubenspek" as his jersey inexplicably read) let in a soft
one from the blue line that turned the tide of the game late.  The 8th goal
for UNH was reviewed to see if a Wildcat was in the crease.  From my
vantage point, the Jumbotron's replay showed that when the goal was scored,
no UNH player was in the crease (although a Badger was), so the refs got
the call right.  Nice to see replay being used in the tourney.  I wasn't in
a good position to judge offsides calls, but those closer to the blue lines
say that the linesmen were very generous, including some plays leading to
UNH goals.  From my seat, there's no way I could judge the truth of those
statements, though.
 
-       The Badgers sported festive new uniforms on Friday, with a
prominent Bucky Badger on the front and a modern font for the player names.
I liked them; overall response was mixed, with a cautious thumbs-up being
the consensus.
 
-       UW crushing Utah in football was shown on the Jumbotron between
periods (courtesy ESPN), leading to much cheering from the crowd.
 
-       Saturday's UW-UVM game showed a Badger team that was drained from
the previous night's battle and a UVM team pissed off that their offense
had been shut down by CC.  St. Louis treated the fans to a hat trick, and I
could swear that Perrin and St. Louis have some telepathic link, based on
the passing that they did.  Mike Valley played in goal for the Badgers, and
put in a solid performance.  Good news for the coming years.  Overall, UVM
was simply the better team, and the Badgers couldn't play above themselves
for a second day in a row.  (After all, it _was_ a Saturday *sigh*)  I was
surprised how much clutching and grabbing UVM did, actually.  The French
Connection showed off their skating & passing, but there was more messy
stickwork and borderline holds by the guys in green than I would expect
from an ECAC team.  The refs took a "let them play" attitude for the most
part, so little was called.
 
-       Between periods we got to see Dallas beat up on Minnesota in the
NFL playoffs.  People in the stands weren't sure who we hated more...
(Probably Dallas in the final analysis).
 
-       Saturday night's championship game was a lot of fun to watch.  As
with all of the games, it was a free-wheeling, offensive-minded affair.
Very entertaining.  In the end, UNH had just a little more offensive punch,
and won the one-goal game and the championship.  A good crowd stayed on
hand for the game, even though there was no Wisconsin team, I'm happy to
say, although the trophy presentation at the end was given to a largely
empty house.  UNH was far from unbeatable this past weekend, but they
showed that they knew how to win.  I was impressed with them, and I predict
that I'll see them in the springtime back in Milwaukee.
 
-       At last year's Showcase, I commented that I could pick up MSC's
audio coverage on 530AM on my walkman.  This time, it was advertised that
you could find audio coverage on 530AM, provided for the vision-impaired.
The Badger games had the Paul Braun-Bill Brophy UW broadcast, while the
CC-UNH game had the CC radio broadcast.  If you're coming to the Nat'l
Championships in Milwaukee, bring an AM radio!  The most fun "off-air"
comment I heard was "who says Joey Bianchi's not a tough guy" after a
scuffle in the UW-UVM game.
 
-       UW showed that it can play with, but thus far not beat, the upper
echelon teams.  They need to get better if they hope to compete.  Next up
for the Badgers is a game vs. Finland tonight and then two must-sweep
series at home vs. Michigan Tech and NMU.
 
Drop the puck!
 
-john nash
 
-==-John R. [log in to unmask] Chem. Dept-==-
                 --- "When in doubt, roll!" ---
 
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