The Marquette version of the Czech Select/WCHA tour entertained about
3,000 of us last night.  It was fun watchingthe Czechs; their stick
handling, passing and general movement was great.  They were a BIT
slower than I thought they'd be, but they have got to be tired by now.
Also, the smaller Lakeview Arena ice surface probably keeps the speed
from showing so much.
 
The first period was scoreless and more like a good skating show than a
hockey game.  The second ended 3-2 NMU.  The Wildcats got the first two
goals on nice centering passes from behind the goal line, with the first
being scored by Kory Korlander on a rather amazing 360-degree
"turnaround" shot after receiving the pass from Greg Hadden.  The Czechs
got on the board with an excellent centering pass of their own which was
knocked in from just in front of the net, past the Wildcat goalie's leg.
Korlander and Brent Riplinger scored the second and third goals for NMU,
I believe.  I'm temporarily blocking on who scored the fourth, which
came in the third period, almost immeditiately after the second Czech
goal.
 
With about 1:30 left in the game the Czechs made it 4-3 with their third
power play goal of the night.  They then pulled their goalie.  The
Wildcats soon thereafter got control ofthe puck, and Hadden ended up
with a walk-in empty net goal to close out the scoring.
 
NMU started freshman Paul Taylor in goal and he was outstanding, making
30 saves.  It was only his second start of the season.  Rick Comley says
Taylor looks bad in practice, but certainly comes through in game
situations and has earned another start with his performance last night.
 
The consensus seemed to be that the Czechs are better on the larger ice
surfaces, and not so great on the smaller ones.  In any event, Comley
was actually pleased with the Wildcat performance, and that's been a
rare circumstance this year.
 
The crowd enjoyed the game and the Czech team.  They gave the Czechs
good ovations when they were introduced and after the Czechs provided
their salute to the crowd at the end of the game.  Unfortunately, only
about 500-1,000 were left in the stands by that time.
 
 **********************************************************************
 *  Steve Christopher, NMU  [log in to unmask]             * * * *    *
 *  NCAA Division I Hockey National Champions  1990-91   *   GO   *   *
 *  NCAA Division I Hockey Final Eight 1991-92           *        *
 *  WCHA League Champions 1990-91                        * 'CATS! *   *
 *  WCHA Playoff Champions 1989-90/1990-91/1991-92 . . .   * * * *    *
 **********************************************************************