Congratulations to the Merrimack players and everyone involved in their
program on the big upset of BU yesterday!!  As Mike has already mentioned
this sets up a _huge_ game at Walter Brown tomorrow afternoon between BU
and UML, a game that could decide first place in Hockey East.  With a
little luck the Merrimack Valley teams might just post a winning record
against BU!   Thank you, Mr. Thibeault!!!  Thank you, thank you, thank
you!!  (Not too obvious I'm a Lowell fan, huh?)  (Although Mike pointed
out that it was a solid team victory and not just a one-man show, 50 saves
_is_ 50 saves!)
 
The Tully Forum crowd seemed more into what was going on up the road at
Merrimack than they were with the 12-3 game at hand.  The anti-Merrimack
"Division 2!! Division 2!!" chants directed at the Warriors a week ago
turned into a loud "Merr-i-mack!! Mer-i-mack!!" everytime the BU-MC score
was announced.  And as the game wore down the crowd sent the team off,
taking one from the old Celtic crowd's "Beat LA!! Beat LA!!", with a "Beat
BU!! Beat BU!!" chant.
 
One non-game highlight:  Since it was the last regular season game, it was
senior night and each senior was introduced (including the team manager)
and his parents were recognized as well.  As is tradition on this night
(at least in the 8 or 9 years I've been going to games) both the Canadian
and American anthems were played.  The performer?  Lowell forward
Christian Sbrocca!  He did a stellar job IMO, singing in both French and
English.  As some of you may know Christian plays and sings in an
alternative-rock band that plays in the UML hangouts.  Perhaps he and DU's
Sinuhe Wallinheimo could hook up to start an all-college hockey band!!
 
Coach Crowder also surprised some of us faithful by dressing a third
goaltender last night.  Not anything about the new kid (he's not listed in
the media guide or any type of roster I've seen) I had to grab the team
manager for some info as he passed by.  Turns out to a be a local kid,
freshman Chris Burnham from Worcester, MA.  A walkon, practice squad
goalie, apparently Bruce wanted to reward the kid for his dedication and
hard work.  It was even better that he actually got in the game and the
goal he let in wasn't really his fault.  It was pretty cute watching him
in warmup though.  He didn't seem to know what to do.  He just seemd to
keep following backup goalie Craig Lindsay around.  He looked so nervous
and a couple of times found himself standing in way of players going
through their drills.
 
   - Steve
 
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