Well, I didn't intend to reply to this thread since anything that I would
say would show my biases, but since many others have been replying with
games involving their schools, I will do the same.
Beyond a doubt, the greatest game that I have ever seen was the 1985 NC$$
semifinal in which RPI defeated Minn-Duluth. Despite knowing the result
of the game in advance, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
(The game was shown by ESPN the next afternoon. I had found out the score
by going into my car and listening to WGY's news through all the static.)
One of these days, I am going to have to convert the beta-tape that I have
of this game to VHS. This brings up a question, because of the length of
the game (triple 10-min overtime) ESPN cut out at least one part of the
game. Does anyone have by any chance a tape of the complete game?
As to best game that I attended it would be the RPI-Cornell game in
December 1968 where RPI beat Cornell and Ken Dryden in overtime on a goal
by Doug Hearns.
As to most disappointing game, it would definitely be the RPI-BU ECAC
playoff game in March 1969. This was the first time that RPI had made
the ECAC playoffs since before I arrived in Troy. (Only about half the
15-17 ECAC teams made the playoffs in those days, so it did require about
a .500 record to be in the playoffs.) RPI had defeated BU earlier in the
season 7-0 despite playing without a goalie who had any experience on the
college level. RPI had only one goalie on the roster, Tom Nichol, and
when he was unable to play, a center, Barry Sherwood, played and somehow
managed to shut out a very good BU team. Thus, despite the fact that RPI
was seated 5th and BU 4th, I and all of the other RPI fans expected RPI
to win. Boy, was that bus ride back to Troy long after BU won 4-2. It
would be another 5 years until RPI finally won an ECAC playoff game
upsetting a #1-seated New Hampshire.
If I had to mention for "best" a game that didn't involve RPI it would be
last year's Michigan-Maine game.
Ralph Baer
RPI '68, '70, '74
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