I think the replay on ESPN-2 conclusively showed that Botterill's stick did
NOT touch the puck; it was deflected by the Maine defenseman skating over to
assist against him.  The goal should go to the other defenseman (darn, his
name escapes me, but he was the one who scored the game's first goal).
 
Re: never less than 4-4:  I was a bit confused by that statement, too.  Then,
 later in the game with one team already on a power play, matching minors
were issued, and I heard Mees say that they were skating 4-3 for three
seconds.  Could that "never less than 4-4" statement mean that matching
minors are limited to pulling one player per team without replacement?  For
example, if four players (two each team) were given roughing minors, all
four would be sent to the box, but two could be replaced, resulting in a 4-4
instead of a 3-3.  Anyone have a definitive answer?
 
I thought the turning point was the 4-4 goal Michigan scored.  From that
point on, Maine had no even strength pressure or PP pressure, except the
5-3s.  Michigan outskated Maine and just looked quicker and more confident;
sort of like 5-4 was normal and 5-5 was to Michigan's advantage.
 
Steve G
 
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