In a games televised back to Minnesota (but not in Maine :-( ), the
Maine Black Bears and the Minnesota Gophers battled for three periods.
 
The territorial edge and top chances both went to Maine, but for two and
a half periods it remained a one goal game.  Both goalies were excellent!
 
Maine's first three goals were on the power play and the final goal was
an empty-netter.
 
Here are some of the stats ...
 
Scoring ...                       Saves ...
 
    1   2   3   Total                 1   2   3   Total
Mn  0   0   0     0               Mn 11  10   6    27   (Stolp)
Me  1   0   3     4               Me 10   8   9    27   (Dunham)
 
Power Play ...                    Attendance: 3698 (standing room tickets
                                                    banned by NCAA)
Mn  0-5
Me  3-8
 
Penalties ...
 
Mn 10 minors, 1 10minute misconduct (Hankinson, for a remark after a
                                     charging penalty)
Me  7 minors
 
Referee: Matt Shegos, CCHA        Linesmen: Mike Shegos & Richard Zanetti
 
Goals ...
 
Period 1 - 15:02 PPG Carney from Montgomery & Robitaille  (5 on 3)
Period 2 -       no scoring
Period 3 -  8:52 PPG Roy from Montgomery & Carney
           16:17 PPG Downey from Montgomery & Straub
           19:47 ENG Salfi from Imes & Tepper
 
Maine and Minnesota each have powerful teams with exceptional speed up
front.  It was a battle, with emphasis on defensive play, and was
decided by the players.  Maine's coach Red Gendron kept his coaching
record perfect (2-0) as Shawn Walsh watched, with father-in-law Ron
Mason, from a perch high in a corner of Alfond Arena.  Walsh was serving
his NCAA imposed one game suspension.
 
Shegos is an excellent referee and called a very good game.  His on-ice
position is the best I've seen this year from anyone.
 
P.S.  Minnesota sent their pep band and cheerleaders (skating yet!).
      Both groups had excellent spirit.  The Gopher mascot also got my
      nod for "mascot of the game" as the Black Bear mascot, Bananas,
      disqualified himself by making fun of (1) the Gopher cheerleaders
      on-ice pyramid and (2) my loading onions on a hot dog.