In the longest NCAA tournament game in history, Maine advances to the
championship game with a 4-3 win over Michigan.
 
Michigan jumped out to an early 1-0 lead just 1:05 into the game on a
Kevin Hilton goal.  They increased the lead to 2-0 just 3 minutes later.
It appeared that Michigan really had the edge over the Black Bears.
However, towards the end of the first period, Maine got on the board,
and really gained the momentum going into intermission.  The Black Bears
tied the game early in the second period off a slapshot just outside the
Michigan blue line (I don't recall who the goal scorer was).  It really
was a goal Turco wishes he had back.  Play was extremely tight the rest
of the second period and into the third.  It wasn't until about seven
minutes left that Maine scored on the power play to gain a 3-2 lead.
Just after the centerice faceoff, Maine was called for a two minute
interference penaly.  Michigan took advantage of this and scored off a
deflection by Mike Knuble.  The last six minutes of regulation saw both
teams have several great opportunities, but Turco and Allison came up
with some great saves.  The excellent play of the netminders continued
into overtime.  Both teams had many great chances, including several
breakaways, but the goalies stayed solid in net.  The second overtime
was much slower than the first, and there were less scoring chances.
Both teams were showing signs of fatigue.  However, Turco and Allison
stayed alert, knocking aside any shot on goal.  Maine got the game
winner just twenty-eight seconds into the third overtime off a
faceoff in the Michigan zone.
 
The game broke the record for the longest NCAA tournament game in
history, and came within about ninety seconds of breaking the record for
the longest college hockey game ever.  It was by far the best game I
have ever seen.  Both goaltenders should be recognized for their
incredible play, giving their teams a chance to take it into a third OT.
Being a Michigan fan, I must congratulate the Maine Black Bears for
a hard fought victory.  For Michigan, they will be back (hopefully
another chance in the "phinal phour" next year).
 
                                                 Brian Roberts
                                                 Lafayette College '97