Well, I just returned from the land of the Dome where the Soo Lakers swept the
CCHA newcomer (or re-comers depending on how one looks at it) Fighting Irish.
The scores (LSSU 6, ND 5; LSSU 6, ND 3) were not indicative of the level of
acheivement by the Irish.
 
On Friday night, the Soo lakers took a 3-0 lead into the second period which
was erased on the strength of 4 unanswered goals by the Irish (including one
short-handed.)  The Irish took a 5-3 lead early in third period only to suffer
defensive lapses late in the game.  Lake State scored the game winner with only
:29 remaining in the game.  After the game, I had the opportunity to shake the
hand of Head Coach Ric Schafer who told me he was heartbroken by the loss.  But
this is a young Irish team and I have no doubt that they will gel into a
contender within a couple of seasons (if not weeks.)  Despite the heartbreak of
defeat, I was overjoyed at the performance of the Irish.  The mere thought that
I would ever again see them play in the CCHA was unthinkable and yet due to the
immense efforts of Coach Schafer and others, the unthinkable has happened.  And
so win, lose or otherwise, this game was one to be rellished.
 
On Saturday, the Irish again played the Lakers very tough.  After opening the
game with a quick goal (at :49) the Irish gave up two and trailed 2-1 entering
the second period.  The margin was eradicated in the second. The Lakers managed
to enter the lockerroom with a 3-2 lead on a controversial goal at the buzzer.
The Lakers saw their slim lead again erased when Notre Dame scored on a two man
advantage in the third.  This score held until about 15:00 into the final
period when Notre Dame's youth began to show.  The Lakers scored on two
defensive breakdowns which left attackers open at the top of the crease and in
the high slot respectively.  The Lakers closed the scoring with an open netter
with under a minute remaining in the game.
 
There was a good crowd at both games (larger than the capacity of "the barn" at
Ohio State and Holloween treats were provided at the Saturday game.  Lake
Supperior was well represented by an enthusiastic (and obviously quite
dedicated and faithful) contingent.  Would that Notre Dame could muster that
kind of fan support on the road . . .
 
So the Notre Dame hockey program is now officially "Back to the Big Time."  I
beleive that once the young Irish team finds a true sense of identity and
learns how to win in the CCHA (in particular how to protect a lead) they will
begin to taste the fruits of victory with some regularity.  Coach Schafer
promised me that the team will get better in time.  Don't worry coach - having
been with the Notre Dame hockey program though its darkest hour, I can tell
that they already have.  And more good times lie ahead.
 
     - Pat
 
- Patrick E. Fleming -------------------------------------------------------
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