David Blackburn noted that BU had enough depth to NOT dress
an NHL first rounder - that would be Jeff Kealty, Quebec's first
pick (22nd overall) last summer.
 
David also mentioned that Chris Drury was his pick as the outstanding
player for BU during the two games. Not a bad thought, as he (and
his linemates Matt Wright and Ken Rausch) played solid two-way
hockey. I thought that just about all the BU players were in fine
form, with the notable exception of Mike Grier (as others have
mentioned). It seemed that the extra attention he received from
both Minn. and Maine slowed him down. He doesn't have the quick
first step of a Bates or O'Sullivan, so he has more trouble
eluding the pair of defenders that always seem to be around -
particularly if they pick him up in neutral ice. His defense
and hitting were still effective, however, and he showed signs
of what an insightful passer he can be.
 
Mr. Finniss noted that Maine exceled at stepping up and taking
on Michigan forwards at the blueline. Very true - and one reason
why Maine, LSSU have been so successful in the past. At the
same time, the forwards help out a ton by slowing the rush
through center ice - and when they don't, a guy like Shawn
Bates has just too much speed for a defender to step up in
time. Jeff Tory was the D caught flatfooted when Wayne Conlan's
pass was picked off at center ice, allowing Bates to beat him
to the outside.
 
As for BU's success against Maine, I attribute that to the
Terriers versatility. They can play it any way you want it -
a physical game, a skating game, a defensive game, or a
shootout. Rather than continually try and carry the puck
into the offensive zone, as skilled teams often prefer to
do, BU was willing to play dump and chase against Maine.
Guys like Drury, Wright, Joubert, Grier excel at that type
of game and were able to bang the Maine D around a bit and
create some chances in front of the net. When Maine started
pressing offensively, BU recognized it and turned up the
transition game to create odd man chances.
 
There are more than a few teams who can't make the adjustments
that BU did. Clarkson comes to mind. If the Golden Knights
had decided to play a little dump and chase against Princeton,
they would have been in the ECAC final. RPI made the adjustment
and learned that you don't have to put 10 passes together to
score a goal (although it's nice when you have the time).
It's all about 'Time and space.' The defense wants to take
it away, and the offense wants to create it.
 
Geoff Howell
The Trenton Times
Drop the Puck