Buddy Powers talked some time during the recent Falcon Club luncheon
about how he was concerned about special teams play given the new rules
this year.  He said that he felt that would be an area that would make or
break the game against MSU.  It would appear that he was right.  The Refs
called more penalties than most of us at the game could count.  Nearly 8
minutes of the first period were played with overlapping power plays on
each team. The period ended in a 1-1 tie.  Though I would say BG went
skate to skate with state and had the edge throughout.  In the second BG
broke things open nailing several goals in the middle of the period.  MSU
tried to get the edge back after several of BG's goals, but the Falcons
were able to match and break the Spartans efforts each time.
 
BG was a little slow entering into the third period, but even then MSU
was not able to rally.
 
I am not the best of judges of these things, I've only been watching
hockey for the last four years.  But there were several things I noticed
things.
 
Anson Carter was well contained all during the game.  BG seemed to
respect his presence on the ice, but was not intimidated.  They also
didn't seem to focus all of their effort on him.  They gave a well
balanced effort.
 
The BG defense also didn't give the Spartans many clear shots at Petrie.
MSU wasn't able to mount any major break-away chances.  When MSU was
close to the goal the BG defense didn't lose track of the puck, and were
able to clear it out quickly.  I had been afraid watching the Brock game
that we were going to see a repeat of last years defense.  That is to say
there were times when Petrie did play that the defense seemed to go
flat.  There was no such letup tonight.
 
I was also glad to see BG come into such a big game so early in the
season and rise to the challenge.  MSU isn't easy to beat in any year,
and BG was able to soundly take them on, and beat them.  If they can
maintain this level of play they will prove to be a team to recon with in
the CCHA and beyond this year.  This win should give BG confidence going
into a tough series with RPI next week.
 
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