OK folks, here's my unsolicited thoughts on last night's semi-final games: Game 1 NMU 5 Maine 3 This was a great game, and probably should have been the championship game. Both teams skated well, had pretty passing plays, hard-fought goals etc.... Maine's Roy was undoubtably the best player on the ice. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get the Hobey Baker award (to be given out after Saturday night's game). Both teams had a good contingent of home-town fans, though NMU seemed to have the support of the Minnesotans at the game (cheering for our conference!). NMU brought their band, while Maine recruited a local high school band to play for their fans. Game 2 Boston U 7 Clarkson 3 P.U.!! What a boring game! Clarkson's goalie was swiss cheese in the first period giving up some very sieve-like goals. Watching them play, it was hard for me to believe they beat Wisconsin twice, let alone LSSU! Rogles was pulled after BU's 5th goal, but came in to start the 2nd, and played much better after that. Neither of these teams impressed me greatly, and if BU doesn't play better, NMU will eat them alive (Cats over Dogs?!!).Mind you, this is my opinion only, and I am biased towards Northern with their WCHA connection! BU seemed to have more fans at the game, and both schools brought their bands. Neither of the bands was too 'courteous' to the other, as there were many times when both were blasting away at the same time! I was at the BU end, so I couldn't hear the Clarkson band too well. Total attendance for the two sessions was just under 23,000 (more than I expected!) Saturday's game will probably bring in about the same 11,000. There will be big competition with the NCAA basketball on the tube, and the No-Stars in town as well for their last regular season game. Sorry that we didn't make it to the Radisson party. We decided to take off after BU's 7th goal. Here's hoping for a good, close game for the championship! go gophers, shari