I finally did it! After following college hockey for more than four years,
I managed to attend a live game at the arena.
Wow! It was impressive. I always feared that I might not get to see the
action as well in the arena as I did on TV. Was I wrong or what?
Not only could I follow the puck well (I had a real good seat), I could
see so much more going on, on the ice, that one does'nt get to see on
TV.
I thought I would couple this historic occasion :), with another debut.
My first post on hockey-l, after faithfully reading almost every article
on it for two years.
The Way I Saw The MAINE-UIC Dexter Classic Game:
Maine started out well. They got on the score board quick (a great
feed from Kariya to Shermerhorn (I think)), and were skating well.
However, with a PPG to even the score, and great pressure on the
Maine defense toward the end of the first period, the UIC Flames
went to the locker room with the momentum in their favor.
Walsh seemed to have made the necessary adjustments in between the
periods though, as Maine blew it open with 3 goals in only about
2 minutes early in the second period. The Shots on goal were well
in favor of Maine at the end of this period. But, the Flames were
hanging in tough, having scored another goal.
The Flames would get another PPG to bring themselves within one, at
4-3. Maine then got a two goal cushion, as Tardif blasted one in
from long range. With few minutes left in the game though, UIC shot
one at the goalie Blair Marsh, who caught the puck easily, held on
to it for a second and then decided to drop it! A bad mistake (he
will learn from it, I am sure), as in the ensuing melee in front of
the net, the Flames got the puck in. The game was getting tight and
I could'nt believe my eyes when I saw people leaving the Alfond to
avoid the traffic, with about a minute and a half left in the game.
Wild horses could'nt have dragged me out at this point :)
With less than a minute left, UIC pulled their goalie out, and Maine
got an empty netter, though I thought that the puck went in off a
UIC player's stick. That's the way the game ended, with Maine winning
6-4.
A great game from both teams. Congrats to the UIC players for never
quitting (even when down 4-1, at Alfond :)), and making a real game
out of it.
My Impressions Of This Year's MAINE Team:
1. Based on the games I saw on TV and this one, this team is nowhere
nearly as fast as last year's. Kariya and Latendresse appear to be
the only ones left with that kind of speed. Several times, I have
seen Kariya burst forward and then wheel around and have to wait for
support.
2. The Offense is still potent (they are scoring about 5 goals each
game, I think). They are talented and are learning fast.
3. The Defense is not bad actually. I believe that last year's offense
actually made the defense's job easier. This year they have to work
some more. They have occasional lapses, which is'nt bad in an offensive
minded team. Where they are lacking right now is in finishing of their
checks. Hopefully, they will learn that soon too.
Well, this post has become long (more than I intended to say :)).
Hope I have'nt bored anyone.
I get to go to two more games tonight (Yeah!). I will try to post
something on them too, if I can.
Cheers
Venky
ps: Thanks to Vardu Iyengar for giving me tickets to these games.
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T.C.A. Venkatesan
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy Bitnet: venky@maine
University of Maine Internet: [log in to unmask]
Orono, ME 04469-5709
"the child is grown, the dream is gone"
- Pink Floyd
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