The Northern Michigan University Wildcats returned to what their fans
hope is a level of play which is competitive with a 3-3 tie with the
University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Friday night at Marquette's
Lakeview Arena. NMU had started the 1992-93 season with its worst
record ever, four straight losses, all on the road. Worse, three of the
defeats were blowouts: 8-2 to Alaska-Anchorage and 9-2, 11-0 to
Wisconsin. While everyone expected Northern to suffer offensively this
year, especially in the early going, the defensive play--and especially
the goaltending--was presumed to be a strong point. Thus a lot of early
season concern has been the result of those first four games.
Perhaps being on home ice for the first time was the difference, or
perhaps it was the return of veterans Joe Frederick and Mike Harding.
This observer's opinion, however, is that it was especially the return
of sophomore goalie Corwin Saurdiff's confidence.
NMU took its first lead of the entire season early in the game when
Frederick blasted a shot past Minnesota goaltender Newman on a power
play at 3:47 of the first period. Jason Hehr and Steve Carpenter
assisted on the goal. It looked to me like the puck hit Newman's stick
but had so much steam on it that it climbed on over and into the net.
The 1-0 lead held up for over 36 minutes. The Gophers evened the score
in the last minute of the second period as Darby Hendrickson maneuvered
a power play goal past Saurdiff at 19:48. Nielson and Johnson assisted
on the play.
The excitement level picked up in the final period. Minnesota took the
lead at 3:08 on another power play goal, this one by Nielson with
assists from Hendrickson and Johnson. Then the Wildcats evened the
score at 10:18 on Frederick's second goal of the night, with assists
from Hehr and Harding. The deafening roar that went up in Lakeview was,
somehow, exceeded just ten seconds later when Greg Hadden fired a shot
over Newman's shoulder at 10:28 to give the 'Cats a 3-2 lead. Bill
MacGillivray was credited with an assist on the score.
The Gophers tied it again late in the game, when Hendrickson got his
second goal with an assist from Dziedic at 17:24. This, like the other
Minnesota scores, came on a power play.
The rest of regulation play, as well as the overtime period, was filled
with action. Both teams had good chances to score, but could not break
through.
Corwin Saurdiff was magnificent in the net for NMU. After two horrible
outings to start the season (Rob Kruhlak has played about as much and
had just as little success in goal so far), Saurdiff made 37 saves. As
noted above, all three Minnesota goals came on power plays, and the
first two involved very pretty passing near the net by the Gophers,
while the final one had Corwin flopping and attempting to reach out and
cover a loose puck which was just out of reach, allowing the Gophers to
get control and put it past him. If Saurdiff continues with this level
of play NMU can look forward to much more competitive contests the rest
of the way. He'll get his chance to show this is the start of a
trend--Rick Comley said after the game Saurdiff will start again tonight
against the Gophers, and that he wants Corwin to be the #1 goal tender
again this year.
Joe Frederick's return was a big morale boost for the Wildcats, as
several of them noted during postgame interviews. He is also obviously
important to the offense, with the two goals he contributed. He and
Mike Harding both also contribute an important physical presence to the
team (both had missed the four previous games due to injuries).
The game became very hard-hitting in the third period, and the NMU
players, at least, were predicting more of the same for tonight's
contest. However,none of it appeared unclean, and no complaints were
offered by the 'Cats. In fact, Frederick indicated a strong intention
to reduce the penalties his team takes. He noted that all three Gopher
goals came on power plays (their last three opportunities, of seven
overall).
One last note--much as I enjoyed watching Saurdiff perform, I'd really
like to hope that Wildcat fans won't always be watching contests in
which the opposition outshoots them 40-20. Newman only had to make 17
saves(well, obviously he would have preferred to make at least one
more). The nail-biting aspect of the contest from NMU's perspective is
illustrated by the fact that 18 of Saurdiff's saves had to come in the
third period and the overtime (14,4), while Newman during this time only
made 4 (3,1). However, this no doubt reflects that names like Beattie,
Hiller, Drake, Beaufait and Szabo--along with defensemen Lou Melone and
Phil Soukaroff--are no longer with us. I'm spoiled--I just came to NMU
two years ago, which means I've seen the best team (90-91) ever fielded
(iced?) here, plus last year's incredibly high-scoring bunch! It was
frustrating to watch how little time the Cats could control the puck.
But, again, it was great to see Saurdiff's goal tending back to last
year's level. Final comment: I thought the two-referee system worked
fine. But I still wish coincidental minors would be served. There
would have been lots more 4-on-4 last night, and I really enjoy that.
Penalties: NMU 14, UM 12
Power plays: NMU 1/4, UM 3/7
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* Steve Christopher, NMU *
* "Go 'Cats!''Goin' for it again in *
* '93--With a little less "O" *
* and a lot more "D"! *
* [log in to unmask] *
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