Tuesday evening at Bright, the Crimson of Harvard were beaten by the
Boston University Terriers 3-5.  The Beantown derby had all the intensity
of cold, overcooked spaghetti.  It was almost a full-house with people
wanting a grand game, but getting very little from either team.  I don't
get it.  I know the game didn't count, but if that's the kind of hockey
you're going to play, why bother?
 
The game started with BU moving and Harvard trying to contain them while
mounting a few counterattacks of their own.  That pattern would continue
throughout the contest.  The Crimson opened the scoring when Harry
Schwefel (Doug Sproule, Ben Storey) was left all alone in the slot,
twirled and fired home.  BU had committed a turn-over that produced the
play.  The Terriers' Mike Sylvia (Tom Poti) finished off a nice dish from
Poti when the two of them got in behind the Harvard defense to tie the
match at one.
 
The nice thing about watching BU is they make hard accurate passes right
on the tape.  That combined with some good movement led to their next few
goals.  On a power play, Chris Drury (Chris Kelleher, Sylvia) slammed the
puck in from the side of the net.  The Terrier passing on that player
advantage was slick as they moved the puck from the point, to in deep and
finally over for the clinical score.  Jeff Kealty (Bobby Hanson, Joe
DiPenta) knocked one in to make it 1-3, when the Harvard defense backed
in.  Drury (Tommi Degerman, Kelleher) extended the Boston U lead during a
5 on 3 power play.  It was virtually an instant replay from his previous
goal, again featuring the fine puck movement.  The Crimson got one back on
their own 5 on 3 power play when Matt Scorsune's (Story, Steve Moore)
blast from the point found netting.
 
In the final period, Degerman (Drury, Sylvia) notched another power
play goal when BU took the puck the length of the ice while another
penalty was about to be called on the Crimson.  Harvard made the
scoreline look respectable when they got a late power play goal from
Henry Higdon (Chris Bala, Scorsune).  Higdon got a backdoor pass and
made it 3-5, as he was left unmarked.
 
I doubt I saw the real BU team last night.  Coach Jackie Parker
seemed none too happy with his troops.  They have some good speed and
when they start their passing game, the Terriers can put many teams
away easily.  I noticed a lot of their ideas revolved around a hide
and seek game they like to play with the other team's defense.  It
worked very well on Harvard.  I was extremely impressed with the
speed and cunning of Sylvia.  He was the key player for BU and made
the big first line torque.  Poti and Kelleher played very tough on
the blue line.  Kelleher is ever alert to the incoming forwards and
made numerous big plays.  Poti is a wonderful player to watch.  He is
the big play man.  Poti dominates the ice as he moves forward and
makes lovely passes.  Overall, Boston University is doing well, but
still developing.
 
Harvard looked in over their heads.  Rarely did you see the Crimson
taking the play to BU.  Most of the time it was try this, and get
back on defense fast.  It is sad to see the lack of team speed that
is now Harvard Hockey.  Storey and Scorsune were the best defensive
pair.  They were able to stand up to the pressure and go forward.
Graham Morrell was playing up front, and was the only Crimson
attacker turning it on.  Well done.  Harvard's attack features
individuals, but no strong team play, and very few intelligent
tactics.
 
 
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 good shooting
 hungerf
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