First off,as far as I know SportsChannel America will be carrying
     all games from the Great Western Freezeout.  It should be an interesting
     winter break,as there is the potential that UMaine will square off
     against defending champion Lake Superior twice (LSSU comes up to the
     Dexter Classic Jan. 2 and 3).
 
         I hate to start writing about the Hobey-Baker so soon,but I just
     have to add my two cents.   In the 7 or so seasons I have followed
     college hockey avidly,I have only seen one player who was more dominant,
     and could take control of a game with more authority than Paul Kariya.
     That player was Scott Pellerin,and he earned his Hobey-Baker last season.
     However,Scott played both solid offense and defense.  Paul has not really
     been tested yet,because the Maine forwards control the puck so much that
     the opposition dosen't really have much of a chance to play offense.  On
     the other hand,Jim Montgomery has proven to be about as explosive on
     offense as Kariya,and at the same time plays quality defense as well.
 
     Personally,I doubt the award will go to a HE team again,unless the
     numbers put up by a Kariya,Montgomery or a Chris Therien(I'd like to
     a member of the unsung defensive squad pick up the Hobey once in a while)
     are too good to overlook;and at the pace he is on,Kariya could break
     100 points...as a freshman...for the #1 team in the nation.  I don't
     think that could be overlooked by the voters.
 
          The Bears are currently preparing to take on the surprising North-
     eastern Huskies,and are not taking them lightly.  The Huskies are second
 
     in HE,and are coming off a BIG upset of BU,and a sweep of Merrimack.
     Add that to the problems Maine had last season against Northeastern
     (a 4-3 loss at Northeastern in January,and a come-from-behind 4-3
     victory Thanksgiving Eve at the Alfond) and this promises to be a GREAT
     series!  Somehow,these 2 teams always do play close contests which are
     not decided until the final moments.
 
          One other note in closing,if memory serves,the players leaving
     to join the US/Canadian National Teams would be at the tournament in
     LA,but would miss both the Tournament in Cleveland,as well as the Dexter
 
     Classic here at Alfond.
 
          Thats the news from Black Bear Country
 
 
                                           John Forsyth
                                             UMaine class of 199?
                                               [log in to unmask]
 
      The views expressed above are mine.  Some will agree,many will not.
      Then again,some people are wise,while many are fools.  Think about it.