I watched the championship game of the GLI on PASS last
night. It was a good one. MSU jumped off to an early 2-0
lead. But UM came back at them in the second tying the
game at 2. UM dominated the second period. MSU went up
again by a point and UM came back to tie it at 3. Then
UM went up one and MSU tied it at 4. Finally, late in
third, UM got the winning point and managed to starve
MSU for the remainder of the period.
 
UM is particularly potent on break aways. In evry game that
I have seen, (Minnesota 2, MSU 2, MTU 1), UM has flashed past
defenders that underestimated the explosiveness of Knuble and
Morrison. Their goalie Turco doesn't look too good but he is
just good enough to stop most everything that comes his way.
Somebody said luck is perspiration: this must apply to Turco.
I have seen him beat, and yet the puck just doesn't wind up
in the net. Red Berensen's recruiting is probably the best in
the nation. For several years now, he has put together young
talent and the trend continues. Some other coaches should find
out what he is doing and make the appropriate changes.
 
MSU at times looked very good. But in the second, they let down.
This was disasterous against Michigan. UM effectively neutralized
Anson Carter. Carter did have some chances but didn't get the
opportunities I have seen in other games. Buzak was on his game.
Buzak is an outstanding goalie who is sometimes inconsistent. He
could use a little more support from his team; however. MSU's coach
Ron Mason is the winningest coach in college hockey still active
and it is easy to see why. He is not very flashy but the MSU team
seems to have excellent high level skills in key areas such as
board play and in faceoffs. MSU didn't have the speed of UM but
I thought they worked harder and were better "grinders".
 
All in all, last nights game was excellent hockey, showing some of
the best college play available.