There is not one spur of the moment excuse regarding the refs.  You don't
call penalties in OT of a Championship game without evening it up pretty
quickly.  I don't think any ref wants to hand out a Championship on a power
play (except this character).

With the blatant penalties (you heard the announcers say that a Minnesota
player was sent from the bench to tell Hauser to keep the stick down, "we
don't need any penalties right now".

I would have rather seen the boys make a mistake in the neutral zone, turn
it over and lose, than lose on an (albeit legit) call, when nothing was done
to even it up.  I said to my son early in the game that I had a feeling that
something ridiculous was going to happen.  I just didn't know which way.
There were too many inconsistencies BOTH ways.

As far as the crowd goes.......who said that wasn't going to be a factor.
WOW.  I don't the Avalanche crowd was that loud at the cup finals last
year!!!!

I hope that the boys don't let this one hang over them.  They have a lot to
be proud of, and a special person is proud of them, without question.

Bob Nichols wrote:

> Everyone is blaming the refs.. but I think that is just a spur of the
> moment excuse,  The first couple calls at the beginning were
> questionable (croud related)  But, all the rest were deserved.  We lost
> because of a couple lucky bounces.  That, and the fact we had to play in
> a hostile environment. (which is my excuse)!
>   Thanks to the team for performing above and (two rounds) beyond what
> we expected this year.  They put up a hell of a fight and fell 54
> seconds short.
>
> and Peter..he left his heart on the ice for Shawn
>
>  Congrats Maine, You made us (and Shawn) proud.