Ohio State 3 at Michigan 9 (Saturday) Notes: - OSU center David Smith (not hockey-L's David Smith), without argument the dirtiest player in the CCHA, began the festivities Saturday evening by blasting a puck into the unsuspecting Michigan crowd during the pre-game skate. This is among the standard blatant punk tactics employed by OSU. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident and the puck found its way to the garbage chute. - The chant of "BALES-BALES-..." began at the opening face-off. Michigan fans were well aware of the play of Buckeye goaltender Mike Bales and his propensity for getting blown-out in Ann Arbor, thus no scoring was needed for chants of "sieve" to begin. (OSU has allowed 46 goals in their last 6 games at Yost Arena). - As Michigan jumped to an early 4-0 lead, the PA announcer indicated that 7 or 8 Wolverine goals would net ticket stub holders 1/2 off at a local pizzeria. 9 goals by the Blue, and everyone would receive a free small pizza. This resulted in several choruses of "Pizza-Pizza..." as UM continued to score. - An interesting strategy note: about 1:00 into the 3rd period, with the score 7-1 and two Wolverines in the box, OSU coach pulled his goaltender (no longer Bales) for approx. 1:30 creating a 6-on-3. Neither team was able to convert during this stretch. (Oops, OSU's coach is none other than Jerry Welsh, sorry). - When UM sophomore Brian Wiseman completed his natural hat-trick, all patrons identified as throwing a hat onto the ice were escorted from the building by local police. Final note: As a Michigander, I've always been biased towards the western conferences. It must be said, however, that the entire Ohio State program (coaches, players, arena, administrators) are an embarraament to the CCHA and amateur hockey in general. As someone noted in a personal message, this once proud program is headed for club status if they don't get their act together. Also - I wouldn't want to be the owner of the local pizzeria who now has 7600+ (an overflow crowd) people holding a free pizza coupon, oh my. John Haeussler Univ of Michigan('89,'90) GO BLUE!