Maine out-played, especially on special teams, a talented B.U. squad
last night in Alfond arena. 3851 (4409 tickets sold) faithful provided
the 100th consecutive Alfond sell-out crowd.
Stars of the game as picked by Larry Mahoney of Bangor Daily News:
1 - Me Dunham
2 - Me Montgomery
3 - Me Roy and BU LaChance
Following statistics courtesy of Me SID Matt Bourque:
Scoring by Periods Saves by Periods
1 2 3 Final MP 1 2 3 Total
BU 2 0 0 2 BU-Bradley 60 8 6 7 21
Me 3 0 1 4 Me-Dunham 60 6 4 13 23
Power Plays - BU 0-5, Me 3-8.
Scores -
Period Time Team Player (assists)
1 0:45 BU McEachern- 24 (Tkachuk)
1 3:25 Me Roy-25 (Montgomery, Carney) PPG
1 5:00 BU Amonte-11 (Ronan)
1 7:52 Me Montgomery-17 (Roy, Carney) PPG
1 17:01 Me Montgomery-18 (Roy, Downey)
3 6:43 Me Downey-19 (Montgomery, Straub) PPG
Referee - Leavitt, Linesmen - Jones and Wynters.
The first goal of the game was remarkable as the puck was dumped into
the Me end down the left defensive side boards. Me goalie Mike Dunham
turned right and went behind the net to stop the puck on the end boards.
It didn't go that way :-) The puck struck either the exit door or the
edge of the glass high on the door and spun out in front of the goal, in
the crease. Shawn McEachern got there first.
The first period ended 3-2 Me with shots at about the same ratio. The
difference in shots was wholly accounted for my Me power play shots by
the defense from the points. Penalties in the first were BU-6, Me-3
with a pair of coincidentals (all 2 minute minors).
The second period was scoreless, and few shots reached the goalies;
again the ratio of attempts and saves was 3-2. Penalties were BU-2,
Me-1 with BUs McEachern getting a 5 minute major for hitting from
behind. 10 of MEs 14 shots were on the power play whereas BU had no
attempts during their 57 second PP.
BU attempted 27 of their 50 game shots in the third period, with 13
coming on BU power plays with many of the BU attempts coming early in
the period during a 3:47 power play, 13 seconds of which was 5 on 3.
Minor penalties were BU-4, Me-4 with one of them being a coincidental.
LaChance received a 10 minute misconduct after his minor at 18:00 for
hitting after the whistle. BU Coach Jack Parker got his minor at 18:54
and after tossing everything loose that could be found onto the ice,
received a game misconduct.
One or a few fans unfortunately then, in kind, threw some items onto the
BU bench. A BU assistant coach and many of the players took offense
and, although they didn't go into the stands sticks were swung and there
was quite a commotion. At least one fan was ejected. Parker acquired a
gash on his nose, but it was not clear how.
Opinion: Parker's antics towards the referee were aimed at inspiring his
team for tonight's game. He went overboard with his NHL-type antics and
deserved at least the game suspension. The fans went overboard in
tossing trash onto the BU bench. The BU assistant (sorry I don't know
his name) appeared to go quite berserk. The frustration obviously had
built up to the point that it didn't take much for an outburst (the Me
fans behind the opponents bench are verbally quite active and not always
sportsman-like). BU players, tough obviously taking offense, were
reasonably reserved (except if one of their sticks caused the coaches
gash :-)) Since the raucous took place with only 1:06 to go in the game,
security were preparing for the departing crowd. Once they arrived on
scene, with Me athletic department administrators, things calmed
quickly.
I'm too much a fan of Maine Hockey to be objective, but I think the
referee did one of the better jobs that we've seen at Alfond this year
(Ned Bunyan has been fairly reasonable (that's a big improvement for
him!), McBride seems to be able to keep up with the play a little better
this year, and others have been good *with-the-exception* that they let
too much taunting and rough interference go). End of soap-box.
I went into this weekend thinking that if either Maine or BU swept, they
would probably go on to earn an NCAA top 4 ranking. Given their
performance last night, the talented BU Terriers won't make that select
ranking.
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