The undefeated and untied Brown Bears (5-0-0) had another good
weekend, posting victories against the Red Raiders of Colgate (4 to 3)
and the Big Red of Cornell (4 to 2). This is the best start for
a Brown hockey team since the 1933-34, when Brown won its first seven
games of the season.
 
The Colgate game was exciting and entertaining. The Colgate forwards
are very fast, and the team plays a wide-open style, which often
includes four-men rushes and a total disregard for defense. I was
impressed with Ron Fogarty and Rhode Island native Earl Cronan.
Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the Bears proved to be as fast, but
also better defensively. Colgate appeared to be very frustrated at the
end of the game. Unless the Red Raiders improve defensively, however,
there will be many other frustrating nights. Playing Division I hockey
is different from playing a game of shinny, and there's more to
defense than holding the opponents' sticks.
 
Whatever the critics may say, Cornell is a well coached team that plays
with a lot of intensity. It is to Cornell's credit that they never
gave up even after Brown had built a 3-0 league in the first period.
Cornell has some talented players, but appears to lack depth. Cornell
may still be a year away from being a serious contender, but the team
seems to be playing with a lot more confidence than last year. The
Cornell program is definitely on the way back up.
 
Bear Facts:
1. Junior Ryan Mulhern continues to impress. Mulhern is one of the most
talented forwards in the East, combining superb offensive AND defensive
skills with enormous physical strength.
 
2. Tony Martino had four goals this weekend, including a hat trick
against Colgate. The unassuming senior from Holmes, N.Y., has been
playing the best hockey of his Brown career.
 
3. Goaltender Mike Parsons has been solid between the pipes. After
playing in the shadow of All-ECAC and All-Ivy Geoff Finch for two
seasons, the junior from Calgary has proved that he belongs. Coach
Gaudet feels that Mike may have stolen the game at Princeton with
key saves when Princeton had a 5-on-3 advantage.
 
4. Scott Bradford got his first career goal Saturday night. The popular
sophomore from Calgary had endured a great deal of ribbing (including
from this writer) for his lack of scoring. Scott is a skilled, intense
player, who was snakebitten. He has a bright future at Brown.
 
5. Playing is his third game, freshman defenseman D.J.Harding scored
his first career goal Saturday night against Cornell.
 
6. Has anyone ever seen Eric Trach have a bad game? Trach is a small
man with a big heart.
 
Brown faces a huge test next weekend, with home games against RPI
(or should I say Rensselaer?) and Union, two very talented teams.
Fortunately the Bears are not suffering from overconfidence.
 
Luiz F. Valente