I'm sure Mike M will give full details, but here's quick report for the
late niters and early risers ...
 
Maine out-shot Merrimack 4-1 throughout the game and hustled to a
convincing 7-0 HE quarter final win tonight at the Alfond Arena, Orono.
 
Maine, playing without forward Dave LaCouture (fractured vertebrae), put
their speedy puck handlers on the ice and raced past the defensive shell
put up by Ron Anderson.
 
By the period,
 
Merrimack College  0  0  0    0
Maine              1  4  2    7
 
Except on their own power play, Merrimack refused to forecheck in the
Maine zone.  When a man down, the Merrimack retreated into a smaller box
than I've ever seen a team (intentionally) play.  Needless to say, the
Maine forwards dominated the play as often two Maine players would get
to the loose pucks before a Merrimack defender.
 
Merrimack gave a good effort, but did not play with confidence and did
not play a very physical game.  The best Merrimack chances game first in
the opening period as Teal Fowler blocked a cross-ice pass at the Maine
blue line, collected the puck and went in uncovered on starting goalie
Mike Dunham.  Dunham got caught back in the goal, but Fowler hit the
left post squarely.  Midway through the second period, as Maine changed
goalies to Garth (and Rodney Dangerfield get no respect) Snow, Merrimack
picked up play a notch and had a few good chances.  Once in the final
period, Merrimack mustered possession of the puck for a time in the
Maine end.  Snow went out 18 feet to cut down the angle on an uncovered
point man, blocked the shot, but failed to control the rebound and was
screened from returning to the net.  One Merrimack shot was blocked by
the defense and another shot apparently went wide of a net covered only
by a Maine defenseman.
 
Maine forwards were terrific, and were led again by Hobey Baker
candidate Scott Pellerin.  Pelle's 4 points gave him a tie for the Maine
career in total points with Gary Conn.  Conn was a wonderful player, but
played two years in Division II and, though an inspiration, was an
offensive player.  Pelle (as I've no doubt mentioned a few times,
sorry!) is the complete player.  Other outstanding forwards were Patrice
Tardif, Cal Ingraham, and Kent Salfi.  All the Maine defensemen played
aggressively and well.
 
For Merrimack, Atkinson, Gravelle and Fowler played well.
 
Referee Drew Taylor called slightly less than I would care to see, but
called a good, fair game.  Each team had one 5-3.
 
Reports say Maine will play BC in the HE HockeyFest opener at Thursday
3/12 at 5PM, with the UNH (4-2 winners over Northeastern in a very close
game) meeting Providence (who drubbed UMass-Lowell) in the second game.
 
Injury report: No apparent absences are expected, except for LaCouture
(mentioned above).  Mike Barkley played tonight and looked very good
(recovering knee).  Coach Walsh was struck in the head/glasses by a
puck, but was patched up quickly by the trainer.
 
Wayne Smith
The College Hockey Discussion List administrator
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