UML rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Air Force 6-3. The win "featured"
two horrendous periods by Lowell and a butt-ugly performance in goal by Martin
Fillion. Key points:
* Martin Fillion, who was left home from the Alaska tournament, may have
played himself out of the rotation. Fillion let in two apparently
soft goals on the only two shots on him in the second period and then
saw the post rung twice in the third. I had liked what I'd seen early
on from Fillion, but it's looking more like Fankhouser and Lindsey (and
I wouldn't be surprised if it's in that order).
* Ed Campbell and Mike Henderson did not play. I have no idea if this
is chateau bow-wow time again for Campbell or if injuries are involved.
Paul Botto continued to look at home on the power play point, so when
Campbell gets back I'd look for those two on the points. Libbett
subbed for Campbell and didn't look horrendous on the blue line. (That
honor may have gone to Dave Barozzino.)
* Greg Bullock, who appeared to have significantly trimmed his long
locks, looked very ordinary for much of the game. Perhaps a new
nickname of "Sampson" is in order. Combined with his dismal stats
from the Alaska tournament (no goals and only an assist or two in
the three games) makes me wonder... He *did* score a goal and pick
up some assists but this still seemed lackluster. Maybe I expect too
much.
* Coach Crowder is now grouping his top scorers on a single line, much
like last year, uniting his power play forwards Bullock-Daw-Donovan
on the first line. The second line, the "Speed" line, features
Bassaraba-Sbrocca-Concannon. That line was a going concern, although
this jury member is still out on Concannon's ability to finish. BTW,
Concannon took a five minute major, hitting from behind, that cost one
goal. David Dartsch, who looked to be a potential top three scorer,
is now on the third line, his first line separation from Bullock that I
can remember.
* Here's the third period goals (I was so disgusted that I stopped taking
notes for a while although I recall Billy Riga got one of the first
two for UML).
Tying it at 3-3. Donovan broke down the left wing on a partial
2-on-1 with Bullock and he rifled a shot over the goalie's
shoulder. Daw and Bullock assisted.
Bullock scored the game winner on a breakaway during a 4-on-4.
He broke in and beat the goalie so easily down low that he
appeared to have a taking-candy-from-babies-this-is-so-easy
demeanor. I was looking for him to stifle a yawn. Daw and
Kriss assisted. 4-3
Concannon *finally* finished on a low shot to the right corner
after a nice feed from Sbrocca. 5-3
UML got a power play in the last minute so Crowder used his
4th line of Brown, Golden, and converted defenseman Jason
Cormier along with freshmen defenseman (and infrequent
dresser) Chris Libbett. Cormier got the goal from Brown and
Libbett.
* Shots on Net: UML AF
--- --
1st period 7 9
2nd 10 2
3rd 14 5
-- -
Game 31 16
DaveH
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