University of Maine at University of Michigan
Friday, October 18, 1996
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI
NON-CONFERENCE GAME
 
Maine .... 0 0 0 -- 0 (0-1-0)
Michigan . 1 1 1 -- 3 (3-0-0)
 
John Madden had two goals, and Jason Botterill had two assists as
Michigan produced a solid win at the Joe against Maine Friday night.
 
FIRST PERIOD:
 
This was Maine's first game of the year, and they have not even been
together as team for two weeks yet, while Michigan had played two
games already, and not to mention they returned an incredibly strong
senior class, that won the National Championship last season.  Maine
also had to cope with the loss of starting goaltender Blair Allison,
backup Blair Marsh, two-time All-American Jeff Tory, Hockey
All-Rookie Team member Brett Clark and one of their best forwards in
Tim Lovell.  Clearly Michigan had to be the overwhelming favorite
coming into this game.
 
The game started as most people would expect with most of the play in
the Maine defensive zone.  The overall play was sloppy to start,
especially for the Maine players as their first offensive rushes were
mared with offsides and they were forced to ice the puck while in
their defensive zone on several occasions.  Likewise Michigan had a
little trouble getting together, as they had several early chances
that they could not convert.
 
Michigan has been impressive on the power play so far this year, and
within the first five minutes Maine would give them a chance to
showcase the power play as Reg Cardinal pulled down a Michigan
player.
 
Special teams is a huge area of transition, even more so for Maine
who has been pillaged during the offseason, but Maine would pass the
test early with a good penalty kill in their first chance.
 
As the play started to open up, Leo Wlasow lost his helmet and
continued to play drawing a penalty.  Certainly a rare call, but I'm
sure the players have been made aware that playing without a helmet
is a penalty, and they should return to the bench.
 
Once again Michigan would not score on the power play, though they
put on more pressure.  Maine freshman goaltender Alfie Michaud was
forced to make a couple key saves, but the Maine defense was doing a
good job blocking shots in front.
 
Maine was certainly focusing on defense early as it was almost midway
through the first period before Maine got their first quality chance,
this from freshman Bobby Stewart.  With 8:55 to go though Warren
Luhning would be called for charging and Maine would go on the power
play for the first time this season.  Maine lost both pointmen from
their power play in Tory and Clark, and once again an important area
of focus for Maine.
 
Michigan would showcase their underrated defense and effectively kill
off the penalty without Maine mounting much of an effort.  Any little
momentum that Maine had gained was deflated by the Michigan kill.
 
Michigan would get their third power play of the period with 4:57 to
go in the first.  Matt Oliver was key for Maine in killing off this
penalty, but it wasn't without incident.  Michigan simply could not
finish on this power play with several terrific chances that either
bounced over the stick of the Michigan player or the shot was muffed.
 
With 56 seconds to go it appeared Maine would weather the storm and
were given a golden chance when Dan Shermerhorn was dragged down in
the slot by Chris Frescoln.  Maine would give up a 2 on 1 short
handed to Luhning and John Madden, but with Michaud bailing Maine
out.  However just seconds later, Madden picked off the puck and
broke in alone to score shorthanded with a nice move leaving only 16
seconds in the period.  Michaud had no chance on the play.
 
Clearly the period belonged to Michigan.  Maine focused on their
defense and were pretty passive offensively only putting three shots
on Michigan goaltender Marty Turco.  Whenever Maine did make a rush,
Michgan was breaking up a lot of plays in the neutral zone and in
their own end, and I don't remember one second shot for Maine that
period, blocked or not.
 
SECOND PERIOD:
 
Maine looked a little more comfortable in the start of the second
period, and the period began with play more in the neutral zone
rather than Maine's end!
 
Alfie Michaud, who played well tonight, made his first huge save of
his career with around 14:25 to go when he stoned Brendan Morrison's
point blank shot while being tripped by his own defender.
 
Bill Muckalt scored his third goal of the season at the 8:19 mark of
the second period from Jason Botterill.  Botterill through the puck
toward the net and Muckalt redirected the puck under Michaud.  For
Muckalt, it was his 50th goal and 200th point of his career.
 
Maine would have their best power play of the year, thus far, about
nine minutes in when Justin Clark went off with a penalty for
Michigan.  Several good chances would be for not, as Turco and the
Michigan defense never let down despite controlling the game to this
point.
 
Maine seemed to lose their surprisingly solid defensive play as the
period went on.  Maine allowed several Michigan players to walk-in
untouched on Michaud, and there appeared to be some confusion at
times.
 
Alfie Michaud kept Maine in the game during this time, his best save
(probably of the night) came on Greg Crozier in the last couple
minutes.  Crozier let a bomb go from about 15 feet alone in front of
Michaud and Michaud showed he has a good glove hand flashing the mitt
and shutting out Crozier.
 
The period was overall closer (10-6 shots in favor of Michigan) but
Maine seemed to be less attentive on defense this period.
 
THIRD PERIOD:
 
The third period began much like the second ended with the teams
playing pretty even, but Maine was still breaking down defensively
and allowing Michigan odd-man rushes, despite putting on more
pressure.
 
Maine seemed to gain confidence as the game went on, and played
better and better as time went on.  Marty Turco wasn't challenged
much, but about midway through the third Maine started to string some
chances together, especially on the Kariya-Larose-Wansborough line.
Kariya missed an open net with a backhand, what would end up being
Maine's best chance of the game.
 
For as much confidence as Maine was gaining throughout this game,
they would lose their composure during the latter part of the game
and unfortunately allow Michigan the chance to score their third
goal.
 
Michigan would get a power play with 4:26 left as Dale Rominski would
get behind the Maine defense, and Matt Oliver was forced to dive and
break up the play.  Oliver ended up getting more of Rominski then the
puck and went to the box.
 
During the power play, John Madden was leveled by a hard hit from
Jeff Libby.  Madden appeared to injure his shoulder or arm, but
returned to the game on his next shift.
 
Libby got carried away on the restart and deposited Brendan Morrison
into the crossbar drawing another penalty, putting Maine two-men down
for 17 seconds.  With a power play like Michigan, the mistake is
deadly.
 
Madden returned to the ice to put the final icing on the Maize and
Blue cake.  Madden's 5-on-3 power play goal, his second of the game,
came from Morrison and Botterill at 17:31.
 
Alfie Michaud would stop Luhning on a break for the last real chance
for either team.  Michigan wins 3-0 in an entertaining game.
 
POSTGAME--MICHIGAN:
 
We've been talking about essentially the same Michigan team for at
least two years now.  They are so deep up front, and every line
created offense for the Wolverines.  The largest keys in this game to
me was the Michigan defense, and their maturity.
 
In past games Michigan was like a young shark out for blood.  When
they smelled the other team letting down, or got a couple chances
they would all swarm the net, and sometimes forget about the defense.
 
Not the case anymore.  The senior leadership on Michigan is
impressive, and they were rarely out of position on either end of the
ice all night.
 
A lot is said about Michigan's offense, but their underrated defense
is impressive.  Turco was not forced to face many shots.  Maine
probably got 20 shots on net (give or take a few) and it wasn't until
the third period before he actually had to face flurries of shots.
This isn't as much of a reflection on the Michigan defense, as the
fact Maine was a desperate team by this point.
 
It's easy to see why Michigan won the title, and why they are the No.
1 team in the country.  They are so skilled on both ends of the ice,
that each can compliment and make up for the other if something isn't
going quite right.
 
POSTGAME--MAINE:
 
It's hard to answer too many of the questions surrounding Maine and
their season after just one game, especially against such a talented
opponent.
 
First off, when you consider that Maine practiced for 8 or 9 days
before leaving for Michigan, and their goaltender and one of their
starting defenseman practiced for a week or less, losing 3-0 to the
No. 1 team in the nation, in Detroit as your first game isn't all
that bad.
 
Let's put the goaltending question to rest, Michaud is the real deal.
 He made 28 saves on 31 shots and he can't be blamed for at least 2
if not all 3 goals.  Michaud made several outstanding saves in his
first collegiate game.  He's only going to improve, and that's good
news for Maine fans.
 
The defensive question isn't resolved yet.  The defense played well
in the first period, they limited the potent Wolverines offense to 8
shots, and they were pretty active blocking shots and clearing
rebounds.
 
However, the questions are still there.  Maine allowed far too many
odd-man rushes tonight.  Michigan is going to create those chances,
but Michigan had a couple breakaways, and several 2-on-1 breaks.
That needs to be addressed.  Part of the problem may stem from not
having a go-to guy (i.e. Chris Imes, Jeff Tory) who could carry the
puck out of their own zone.
 
I think this game presents a new question that we talked briefly
about on ME-HOCKEY.  Can Maine finish?  The offense wasn't there
tonight.  They did not create enough chances, and did not finish on
the chances they had.  It's too early in the season to panic or worry
too much about this, considering the team they were playing against,
but from Midnight Madness, to the Blue-White game, to tonight they
still haven't proved that they can score.
 
Michaud is going to hold Maine close though, so as soon as Maine
finds the right combinations on their lines and the defense sures up
some they will be a better team then many people thought.
 
Maine's best line was Cory Larose centering Steve Kariya and Shawn
Wansborough.  This line created Maine's best chances all night.
Kudos also to Scott Parmentier, Bobby Stewart and Matt Oliver for
strong games.
 
Special teams.. penalty kill was good all night.  Michigan didn't
score on 5 5X4 chances, but did convert on a 5X3.  Overall Michigan
was 1 for 6, which in Maine's first game should be considered a
success.
 
Power play has to be an area of focus.  Past Maine teams have been
really good in this area, but they did not convert in 4 chances
tonight and it was a key factor in determining this game.
 
Maine travels to the Soo for a Sunday afternoon matchup with Lake
Superior State (1-1-1).  This should be a real good game as early on
the teams seem to matchup well.
 
---
Deron Treadwell - [log in to unmask]
Editor, US College Hockey Online
USCHO:  http://www.uscollegehockey.com