Just to add to the previous comments already posted, and to give a view
from a non-Maine perspective.
 
Highlights from Game 1:
 
A few comments:
 
1) Bowling Green was the team that dictated the tempo of this game. Unfor-
tunately for them, it played into RPI's hands. BG used the speed advantage
that they thought they had and tried to outspeed RPI to alll of the
pucks and all of the play.  RPI beat them to the punch. It was evident that
their speed was superior, as all of the pucks were taken off of forechecking.
 
2) The shutdown of Brian Holzinger.  While he managed to get a goal, the line
of Askew, Majic, and Matthews played the line of Hollzinger, Clark and
Elvin to a letter perfect T.  The shadow man was Askew as he constatnly
hounded Holzinger, and did not give him an opportunity to get off good shots.
Holzinger tried more than once to get away from Askew and try to get himself
aligned with Matthews, but when he did Matthews either stood up to it, or
managed to get him to Askew or Majic.
 
3) The power play. BG was 2 for 12 on the power play.  A ton of penalties were
called, as the HE ref Good called most of them against both teams. But the
power playu for BG never really clicked until late in the game, had BG taken
more advantage of these opportunitites, BG would have been in the final.
 
4) Neil Little was spectacular against BG. He faced 45 shots, and saved 41.
BG's speed also showed and Little was up to the task on a lot of odd-mans and
breaks.
 
5) The bad corner in Allfond. It seems tht there is a bad corner in Alfond
where the zamboni comes out. Twice in the first period, the puck took crazy
bounces off of this corner as in one instance led to a bounce right onto the
stick of Bryan Richardson as Richie put it past Petrie's legs.
 
General Comments:
I was very imppressed with the BG team. They have good depth on their lines
amd Holzinger was amazing. WHile he did not make a large impact, he let his
presence be known. I was alos imppressed with the BG defensemen Carper and
Reirden. Good physical men with good shots.  Petrie looked shaky, and perhaps
his luck was freshmen luck, hopefully for BG it's not. I wish them luck.
 
I was still weary about the RPI team and it's chances against Maine or UIC.
They played a good game, but it still didn't seem very strong. We had to wait
and see.  The one thing I still complain about is the fact that this RPI team
does not seem to be able to put a team away. Up 4-1, the killer instinct
should take over and take control. not done.
 
My observations on Maine-UIC:
 
1) What speed this Maine team possesses! I was very impressed with Kariya and
his talents. Good passing and he always manages to fine the open ice.
 
2) The grit and determination of this UIC team! I found it hard to believe
that they have not won as many games as they have.  It is obvious though that
one of their major weaknesses is their power play. They have trouble setting
up and don't seem to have a true quarterback on the power play unit.
While they can match anyone 5 on 5, it's special teams where they lose it.
 
3) I thought UIC was going to pull it out.  The main thing that went through
my mind and my partners was this: Maine was an impressive team, and yes they
outplayed UIC, but they should have dominated them and they did not.
 
4) I am waiting for a great game between Maine and RPI.
 
My observations on BG-UIC:
 
1) Scott Spencer of UIC had a tremendous game! He didn't play the first
one but he was just tremendous. He made saves all over the place as he was
getting shellacked!
 
2) Zdon of UIC impressed the hell out of me. He is a great player and does
not get all of the credit he deserves.
 
3) UIC played another gritty game as they got the best of BG. Once again
the special teams of UIC could not get it much dont.
 
4) BG again seemed like a ppretty solild team if they can get it together.
I like the big kid Sean Pronger as well.
 
Commenets on the Maine-RPI game:
 
1) First off, what a game! Maine came out and thoroughly dominated RPI in the
first period jumping to the 2-0 lead. RPI seemed to gain a bit of momentum
toewards the end of the first as they killed 3 of 4 penalties, and the one ppg
that Maine scored was with 2 seconds left on the Layzell x-check.
 
2) Again, speed was dominating in this game. The teams were up and down the
ice at incredible speeds! Good chances on both ends for both teams.
 
3) The Kariya-RPI matchup.  Everyone thought that the line that would go
up against Kariya's line would be Askew, Majioc and Matthews. Wrong.
Most of the time, it was the line of Pasco, Richardson, and Clarke.  It
seemed as though Pasco did nost of the shadowing this time around.  THe
line of Hamelin, Brick and Regan was also out there against kariya. I was
counting and besides powerplays, Askew and Kariya were only on the ice
together for 3 shifts, for a total of perhaps 1 minute.  Kariya only got 1
assist in this game, as he fanned on several shots, and misconnected on a few
passes.
 
4) Neil Little again. Another fantastic performance. 46 shots he faced, and
he only let 4 in.
 
5) The referees called the perfect game. After a tough first period for the
Engineers, the refs let the game play.  Only 2 power plays in the 2nd period
for Maine, and the only other penalty was one in the 3rd against Maine.
They let the teams play and everyone was treated to a fine game.  It did not
seem that there were many mmissed calls or non-calls, only evident things
were called. There was hard forechecking and a lot of physical play.
 
6) The Engineer second period got them there. A strong second period for them.
They keys were puck control and good shots. The Engineers controlled the puck
and the tempo for the 2nd and 3rd periods. Possesion let them setup and take
the shots which were there.
 
7) Fopr the first time in a long time, the Engineers drove the net. Shots
came from the blue line and 2 rebound shots were put in out in front bby
Regan and Layzell.
 
8) Strong game from the Engineer defense, even though they got burned a few
times.  Effective hip checks took the Black Bears out of the play as they
crossed the blue line, and let the Engineers take control of the puck.
Adam Bartell played his second straight game, the first time this season,
and was strong, even though he took every opther shift in the 3rd period.
 
9) Allison was beaten 4 times on his glove side.  I do not know if this
is a consistent wekaness and the Engineers exploited it, but it was evident
that they were targeting that glove.
 
10) Majic game winner was a beauty of a play, and as Coach Powers put it:
" It doesn't matter who it's against, it's a big time play"
Layzell takes control of the puck in center because Maine tried to hit Mahoney
coming out of the box. But Mahoney had trouble getting out of the box and
onto the ice, so he couldn't receive the pass.  Layzell pushed it ahead to a
2 on 1 situation at the blue line.  Pasco received the puck, took the defender
out and dished it to Majic on his left. Majic came in on left wing, and
used his speed to cut off the defender Silverman. He cut across the front of
Allison and backhanded one top shelf above Allison's glove.
 
11) RPI did not let Maine have anyu good chances the last 3 minutes or so
of the game.  Total puck control and blue line defense.
 
12) All-Tournament Team:
 
        F       Paul Kariya             Maine
        F       Brian Holzinger         Bowling Green
        F       Bryan Richardson        RPI
        D       Dan McIsaac             Maine
        D       Brad Layzell            RPI
        G       Scott Spencer           UIC
 
        MVP     Neil Little             RPI
 
        Note: MVP can not be a member of the All-Tournament Team
 
 
General overall comments:
 
1) This is the Engineers first in-season tournament win besides the RPI
Invitational since 1983 when they beat St. Lawrence 6-5 in the finals of the
Empire CUp in Glens Falls, NY.
 
2) THe Engineers, who everyone was unsure about all of a sudden beat 2 Top 10
teams. What does this do for them?
 
3) It looks like the Engineers are learning to crash the net and pick up the
trash goals.  They look like their defense is coming together as well.
Perhaps the wake up call worked.
 
4) We had the pleasure of interviewing Coach Walsh between periods of
the RPI-BG game. Now I can see why Maine is such a great team. It all starts
at the top and the attitude the top instills. First Class.
 
5) I am VERY impressed with all three teams that were there besides RPI.
I love exciting hockey.
 
6) Maine looks to me like a team that will be flying and is still the team
to beat.  Get back Ingraham and WEinrich, and Maine will be in ALbany come
March. Can't wait for a rematch :)
 
7) And I got my picture taken with Paul Kariya :)
 
8) Was hoping I'd meet some fellow hockey-l'ers up there, but alas.....
 
Next up for the Engineers:
 
Brown on Friday and Harvardon Sat.  More tests.
 
Come say hi at the Fieldhouse near the press box.......
 
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*  Jayson Moy RPI '89 '93       * One of the Voices of Rensselaer Engineer    *
*  [log in to unmask]                 * Hockey, Baseball, Football, and Basketball  *
*  The "J Man"                  * on Crystal Clear FM Radio, 91.5FM WRPI, Troy*
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