(from USCHO http://www.uscollegehockey.com)
 
 
 
 
                     Game of the Week: Maine-Minnesota
 
                     by Frank Mazzocco
 
 
 
                     A fun-house mirror might be a great instrument for
watching Maine play Minnesota in the USCHO
                     Game(s) of the Week. Each team, no doubt, could
look at the other's bench and see a mirror image
                     of itself: suspect defenses, forwards that can
scoot, goaltending which, at least, is solid, and off-ice
                     problems aplenty.
 
The weekend renews a dormant-but-intense rivalry which should make for
a fun weekend. Still, the fun-house mirror might be
useful to blur some of those blemishes.
 
The two-game series may be a rebirth for firewagon hockey, with which
the Montreal Canadiens of the mid-50's dazzled fans
and terrorized opponents. The speed of both schools' forwards will be
dazzling. Both goaltenders may be terrorized, and
should be forgiven for yelling "Incoming!" as yet another wave of
attackers streaks in on their struggling defensemen.
 
Last weekend, Doug Woog unveiled his speedy forwards on a mushy sheet
of ice at Target Center in the U.S. Hockey Hall of
Fame game. Still, sophomore Dave Spehar, who scored at 0:54, and
freshman Aaron Miskovich left vapor trails; Mike
Anderson (one power-play goal), Reg Berg, Wyatt Smith and Casey
Hankinson weren't far behind.
 
Maine will turn loose its top two scorers and top three goal-producers
from last season. Junior Steve Kariya (19-31--50) was
the top point-getter and kindles Black Bear memories of older (and
taller) brother Paul. Other members of the scoring trio are
tough guy Shawn Wansborough (18-21--39) and top goal-scorer Scott
Parmentier (20-8--28).
 
So much for the dazzle; what about terrorized goalies? Check out the
faces of Golden Gopher senior Steve DeBus and Black
Bear sophomore Alfie Michaud. DeBus, Minnesota's Father Time,
celebrates his 25th birthday Nov. 8. Don't let the long,
white beard and cane fool you. He brings a confident swagger to the
dressing room that will do wonders for the developing
kids playing in front of him.
 
Although Michaud is just a sophomore, don't be surprised if he mirrors
DeBus' swagger. Last season, after a grim first half
(5-6-1, 3.70 GAA, .837 SV%), Michaud did some strutting, winning 12 of
his last 14 games while allowing an average of only
2.43 goals.
 
Defensively, the Golden Gophers are recovering from the losses of
junior Mike Crowley, a two-time Hobey Banker finalist
who signed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and senior Brian LaFleur.
Maine has patched together a young defense -- four of
six starters are underclassmen -- which includes two converted
forwards, sophomores Shawn Mansoff and Jason Price.
 
Maine has finally come out of a long, dark tunnel, the result of an
NCAA investigation which uncovered recruiting violations,
leading to the suspension of coach Shawn Walsh, a reduction of
scholarships (from 18 to 14), forfeiture of 14 games, and bans
from television and playoff competition.
 
Minnesota's plight has been more like a fog. It's been nearly a year
since Doug Woog was suspended for one week after
admitting he passed cash to a former player, who was still enrolled at
the time. However, a 10-month internal investigative
report, including details of making beer available to players on bus
trips, has yet to be acted on by the NCAA. The team
runway may be open, but the fog hasn't fully lifted.
 
The Pick: If this were mid-season, Maine might grab two wins. But the
Bears haven't played a game yet. Minnesota has a
tough game against Michigan under its belt, and an Olympic-size
home-ice advantage. The Golden Gophers take both, but get
a big scare when the Black Bears find their rhythm in game two.
 
--
Deron Treadwell - [log in to unmask]
University of Maine