At 08:36 PM 3/4/99 -0500, Karen/Greg Ambrose wrote:
>As for Krog vs. Kariya.  I think it is pretty much acknowledged now that if
>an eastern guy is going to get the Hobey, it will be Krog.  His credentials
>are impeccable - leading scorer in the country, captain of the 4th ranked
>team in the country, 3.6 GPA, peer leader, etc., etc.  Kariya is a good
>player but, overall, a notch below Krog.
 
Whenever I think of Jason Krog's credentials, I think of that commercial
and it sort of makes it all a bit more cheap to me.  I hope this doesn't
become standard for other schools too.  Imagine if we started having
Heisman commercials!  Yuk!  I know UNH fans think they get shafted by the
Boston media and thus hurts their chances, but Maine does have two Hobey
winners, and that is even father removed from Boston.
 
But you are right, if anyone wins it from the east it will be Krog.  Kariya
has been in a slump lately too, so Krog has become even more clear.  When
he's on, Gionta may be better than both of them.  If you had to win one
game, and you could only one of them on the team, which would you pick?
Good question.
 
This weekend will be interesting.  Statistically, Maine and UNH match up so
very well.  Granted, I look at it from a Maine perspective, but I feel UNH
relies more on its Krog line than Maine does with its Kariya line (I think
it is around 50% or more of its offense comes from one line).  In fact,
Maine's Kariya line hasn't even been the best line the last 2-4 games.  The
Niko Dimitrakos, Dan Kerluke (USCHO Offensive Player of the Week) and Ben
Guite (a big UNH favorite) have been the best line going and may be the
difference in Maine ending up on top.
 
Alfie Michaud is a great goaltender, but Conklin has been sensational.
That will be a good matchup, and both teams have great blue line corps.  To
me the games will come down to how well Maine takes the Krog line out of
the game and if its balanced attack comes through.  With the larger ice,
Krog's line could go off on the Black Bears, but Maine isn't exactly a
slow, unskilled team either.
 
UNH has the home ice, but Maine has the lead in the standings.  I'd be
ready to give the trophy to UNH if they were up 1 point heading into this
weekend, but the fact Maine must only win once (or tie twice) adds an
interesting dynamic.  UNH needs to put two good games together to win the
title, Maine needs only one.
 
In terms of NCAA Tournament implications.. Maine already holds a 2-0 lead
in head-to-head, so as long as Maine doesn't lose both games they will
still win head-to-head comparison vs. UNH.  Maine wants one win (in
addition to the hardware) because it will assure Maine will beat UNH
head-to-head, even if they meet in the HE Tournament.  If Clarkson wins out
and either Maine or UNH must be a #3 seed, that could be critical.
 
Hockey East is bringing the HE trophy to the Whit and will award it to the
champ.
 
UNH is undefeated at home this year (1 tie), Maine has won 3 straight in
Durham.
 
I don't believe anyone on the Maine side is prepared to say Maine can sweep
UNH, but at the same time it is hard to picture Maine being swept, but both
can easily happen... this is hockey... and anything can happen.  If you are
a Black Bear fan you are happy you only have to win once, but this is going
to show BOTH schools what they can expect later this month.  Maine will not
face a more hostile environement again this year, not in the HE Tournament
and not in the NCAA's.  If they get the job done, that will be a good sign.
 UNH on the other hand, can't lose if they want the goods and against the
#3 team in the nation Wildcat fans will see how their team responses to
must-win, playoff hockey.
 
I don't know if I'll be able to wait until 7 on Friday and if UNH wins, who
will actually sleep in Orono or Durham before Saturday night?
 
Here's hoping the trophy comes out Friday night!  :-)
---
Deron Treadwell - [log in to unmask]
 
"Any idiot can face a crisis -- it's this day-to-day living
that wears you out."    - Anton Chekhov
 
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