I, too, saw the OSU-BGSE game, from the press box, and some of Mr. Bell's
observations are pure opinion.
 
 
10/13/96 Dean A. Bell wrote:
 
"Certainly this game was not as well-played as last night, and there
were more defensive lapses, but OSU's style of play tends to cause
breakdowns in order.  This year's OSU squad (at least tonight)
appears to be heavily into the old OSU style of thug-hockey, and
attempts to compensate for their lack of skill by luring the opponents
into scrumming and clutch-and-grab hockey."
 
OSU's style of play tends to cause breakdowns in the order?  What does that
mean?  If BGSU's "order" broke down, it was probably because it was the
second game of the season, and there are still some bugs to be worked out.
Buddy Powers said so himself afterward, when he talked to the press.
 
As for the alleged relapse into the "old OSU style of thug-hockey," that
simply isn't true.  A number of things can be said for and against John
Markell as a coach, but "thug-style" hockey is not something he
advocates--ever.  During the second period, the Buckeyes were not playing
Markell's system; players thought they could throw the coaching out and go
toe-to-toe with a superior BGSU team.  The result?  Really bad hockey, and a
furious coach--and a third period that in no way resembled the second
period, or what Mr. Bell refers to as "thug-style hockey."
 
One more note on OSU's alleged return to "thug-style hockey" (which is an
accurate description of what the previous coach wanted):  there are 12
rookies on this team, and many of them saw a lot of ice time last night.  It
was the rookies who were the most physical--stupidly physical--not the
veterans.  These rookies weren't on the team when the "old thug-style
hockey" was played.  According to Markell after the game, these rookies were
frustrated and made some stupid plays.
 
As for the "attempts to compensate for their lack of skill"--that's pure
nonsense.  They were out-played, and they were trying to compensate for
that, which, in turn, made them play even more poorly.  But there was a lot
of talent on the ice for the Buckeye squad.  Returning winger Tyler
MacMillan scored a short-handed goal on a sweet pass from three-time OSU
captain Steve Brent (a reformed thug); keeping Mac and Brent on line
together is brilliant, and the first opportunity an OSU coach has had to
carry part of a line over from a previous season in a long time.  With just
about 30 seconds to go, Brandon LaFrance scored a pretty--and pretty too
late goal.  LaFrance has talent to spare.  Also impressive for the Buckeyes
were defensemen Derek Beuselink (never a thug) and rookie
soon-to-be-offensive-power Eric Meloche.  Goalies Ray Aho and Tom Conerty
looked promising; each let one stupid goal pass by him, but each also made
some solid saves.
 
 
"I feel I must apologize for an incident this evening involving the OSU
coach.  Someone in section E felt compelled to throw something at
the coach - and I don't want this to evolve into the issue it became
last year.  Last year's event was purely fictitious, and the responses
to it unwarranted.  This event actually occurred, was absolutely
uncalled for, and those of us in section E who (while being provokers,
to be sure) respect hockey and all those involved in it apologize for the
actions of a few who got out of line.  Had we seen who it was, we would
have seen to it that they had been removed by the police."
 
This sort of thing doesn't happen at the OSU ice rink.  Granted, when the
rink is filled to capacity, it hold only about 1,400 people.  But it still
doesn't happen, even at sold-out games.
 
Everything else Mr. Bell said about BGSU seems accurate.  He didn't mention
stand-out walk-on rookie, Zack Ham, who looks like he could be all that.
 
As for the Buckeyes, it's going to take them some time to adjust to many key
losses, most notably the loss of two outstanding goalies, and one incredible
defenseman (Craig Paterson, who's playing for Florida's AHL team).  The
bucks didn't lose much offensively, but getting a team that's over 1/3
brand-new players to gel will take some doing.  The first half of their
season may be dismal (shades of the past).  But once the Buckeye team finds
its feet, it will be able to play with the likes of BGSU, to say the least.
 
Paula C. Weston
Girl Reporter
 
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