I have not had enough time to post any thoughts/comments on the Final
Four so these comments are rather late because I watched the games on
television.
 
COLORADO COLLEGE - VERMONT
==========================
What a performance by Vermont in a losing effort!  Martin St. Louis,
Eric Perrin, and Tim Thomas all were incredible as Colorado College
(also very impressive) did everything they could to try to take the
game.  Eboli's goal showed that they have some depth to their team.
Also, Judd Lambert stood out for Colorado College as Vermont had some
great scoring chances.  The game-winner although questionable
definitely was a goal.  No whistle when the puck was touched and
nothing you could really do about that.  Vermont has no reason to hang
their heads after playing two great games against Lake State and CC
winning one of them.  The Swansons are definitely game breakers and are
very valuable to that Colorado College team although Geronazzo gets all the
attention.  Personally, I like both Swanson players and they will
be up for future Hobey Baker consideration.  They are in my opinion the
co-freshman players of the year in college hockey.  A true pleasure to at
least see them play at Munn against Lowell.
 
MICHIGAN - BOSTON UNIVERSITY
============================
Michigan won the game.  No surprise.  4-0.  That is a surprise.
According to CHODR, BU had the #1 offense in college hockey, and for
Michigan to just shut them down for 60 minutes and hold them to 17
shots was simply amazing.  Clearly, this was not last year's
championship team, but no BU player really played well except for Chris
O'Sullivan.  Had a decent scoring chance in the 2nd period (I believe),
and Turco made a great save.  Would be the closest BU would come all
night long.  Michigan clearly played their best game of the season in
this game and probably in the Red Berenson era of Michigan Hockey.  The game
as a Michigan fan and season ticket holder at Yost reminded me of games
where Michigan blew out teams in shutouts.  It would have been perfectly
fitting for Red Berenson to give Gregg Malicke some time in there but I
believe Red wanted to keep Turco confident for Saturday.  He would have
to play at least 60 minutes on Saturday so he had to get used to that
Cincinnati ice for 60 minutes Thursday.  Turco looked much sharper in
this game next to some of those blowouts at Yost also.  Hearing the crowd
made Riverfront become 'Yost South'.  BU will be back and have a great
year next season but Michigan's game made it miserable for BU all night long.
 
==========================
Kenneth M. Baker
University of Michigan '96
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
==========================
 
**********************************************
Michigan Wolverines - 1996 National Champions
8 Time National Champions
1948, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1996
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