From an article in the Star Tribune this morning: Gophers coach Doug Woog doesn't have to worry about being outcoached by Maine's Shawn Walsh in their NCAA quarterfinal hockey series opener Friday. Walsh has been banned from coaching the game because of a year-old suspension. An incident when Maine played at Wisconsin in the first game of a quarterfinal series last season led to the ruling. Maine's Jimmy Montgomery lunged for the puck, and on his follow through his stick blade made contact with Wisconsin goaltender Duane Derksen. Walsh said it was the heel of Montgomery's stick, but Derksen went down feigning agony. Montgomery was ejected for a major spearing penalty, which meant he also missed the second game. Walsh made comments afterward about Derksen faking an injury, which the NCAA decided were out of order. So a one-game suspension was issued for Maine's next NCAA tournament game. The Black Bears, as No. 1 East seed, had a bye last weekend, so Friday at Bangor, Maine, will be the first game he could sit out. "I won't be coaching," said Walsh, who will turn things over to his assistants, Grant Standbrook and Tim Whitehead. "I'll just be general manager in the first game." Hockey East's other quarterfinalist, Boston University, also will be without its coach. Jack Parker serves a similar one-game suspension Friday against Michigan. Parker, a member of the NCAA ice hockey committee, bumped an official in a dispute at center ice on the same weekend last season. I would venture that the same restrictions that were stated earlier this week concerning Jack Parker also apply to Walsh (no contact with the team, no head- sets, sitting in the stands). As a side note, our coach, Doug Woog was hunting down tapes of some of the Maine games this season. He particularly wanted to see the BC-Maine HE championship game. His secretary called and asked if I had a copy, which I did but our local Fox station came through with that game tape and several others. All the coaches were in hysterics that she actually knew A FAN which might have that tape!! *:-) While watching my copy of that game, I heard an interesting comment made by the commentator Bob Norton in reference to the referee Frank Cole. Norton said that "people" were jealous of the great refs they have in Hockey East. And that Frank Cole was one of the best refs that they had. I find this very curious because of some of the comments made recently about Cole's performance and I have also seen Cole in action. Last season he did the CLarkson first round NCAA series here in Mpls. The Gophers and coaches left for Maine yesterday in high spirits with great expectations. Be careful Black Bears, they just might surprise you. We have a lot of hope here in Minnesota!! Carol White U of M GO Gophers!!! BEAT THOSE BLACK BEARS AND COME HOME TO ST PAUL!!!!!