The Northern Michigan University Wildcats returned to what their fans hope is a level of play which is competitive with a 3-3 tie with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Friday night at Marquette's Lakeview Arena. NMU had started the 1992-93 season with its worst record ever, four straight losses, all on the road. Worse, three of the defeats were blowouts: 8-2 to Alaska-Anchorage and 9-2, 11-0 to Wisconsin. While everyone expected Northern to suffer offensively this year, especially in the early going, the defensive play--and especially the goaltending--was presumed to be a strong point. Thus a lot of early season concern has been the result of those first four games. Perhaps being on home ice for the first time was the difference, or perhaps it was the return of veterans Joe Frederick and Mike Harding. This observer's opinion, however, is that it was especially the return of sophomore goalie Corwin Saurdiff's confidence. NMU took its first lead of the entire season early in the game when Frederick blasted a shot past Minnesota goaltender Newman on a power play at 3:47 of the first period. Jason Hehr and Steve Carpenter assisted on the goal. It looked to me like the puck hit Newman's stick but had so much steam on it that it climbed on over and into the net. The 1-0 lead held up for over 36 minutes. The Gophers evened the score in the last minute of the second period as Darby Hendrickson maneuvered a power play goal past Saurdiff at 19:48. Nielson and Johnson assisted on the play. The excitement level picked up in the final period. Minnesota took the lead at 3:08 on another power play goal, this one by Nielson with assists from Hendrickson and Johnson. Then the Wildcats evened the score at 10:18 on Frederick's second goal of the night, with assists from Hehr and Harding. The deafening roar that went up in Lakeview was, somehow, exceeded just ten seconds later when Greg Hadden fired a shot over Newman's shoulder at 10:28 to give the 'Cats a 3-2 lead. Bill MacGillivray was credited with an assist on the score. The Gophers tied it again late in the game, when Hendrickson got his second goal with an assist from Dziedic at 17:24. This, like the other Minnesota scores, came on a power play. The rest of regulation play, as well as the overtime period, was filled with action. Both teams had good chances to score, but could not break through. Corwin Saurdiff was magnificent in the net for NMU. After two horrible outings to start the season (Rob Kruhlak has played about as much and had just as little success in goal so far), Saurdiff made 37 saves. As noted above, all three Minnesota goals came on power plays, and the first two involved very pretty passing near the net by the Gophers, while the final one had Corwin flopping and attempting to reach out and cover a loose puck which was just out of reach, allowing the Gophers to get control and put it past him. If Saurdiff continues with this level of play NMU can look forward to much more competitive contests the rest of the way. He'll get his chance to show this is the start of a trend--Rick Comley said after the game Saurdiff will start again tonight against the Gophers, and that he wants Corwin to be the #1 goal tender again this year. Joe Frederick's return was a big morale boost for the Wildcats, as several of them noted during postgame interviews. He is also obviously important to the offense, with the two goals he contributed. He and Mike Harding both also contribute an important physical presence to the team (both had missed the four previous games due to injuries). The game became very hard-hitting in the third period, and the NMU players, at least, were predicting more of the same for tonight's contest. However,none of it appeared unclean, and no complaints were offered by the 'Cats. In fact, Frederick indicated a strong intention to reduce the penalties his team takes. He noted that all three Gopher goals came on power plays (their last three opportunities, of seven overall). One last note--much as I enjoyed watching Saurdiff perform, I'd really like to hope that Wildcat fans won't always be watching contests in which the opposition outshoots them 40-20. Newman only had to make 17 saves(well, obviously he would have preferred to make at least one more). The nail-biting aspect of the contest from NMU's perspective is illustrated by the fact that 18 of Saurdiff's saves had to come in the third period and the overtime (14,4), while Newman during this time only made 4 (3,1). However, this no doubt reflects that names like Beattie, Hiller, Drake, Beaufait and Szabo--along with defensemen Lou Melone and Phil Soukaroff--are no longer with us. I'm spoiled--I just came to NMU two years ago, which means I've seen the best team (90-91) ever fielded (iced?) here, plus last year's incredibly high-scoring bunch! It was frustrating to watch how little time the Cats could control the puck. But, again, it was great to see Saurdiff's goal tending back to last year's level. Final comment: I thought the two-referee system worked fine. But I still wish coincidental minors would be served. There would have been lots more 4-on-4 last night, and I really enjoy that. Penalties: NMU 14, UM 12 Power plays: NMU 1/4, UM 3/7 *********************************** * Steve Christopher, NMU * * "Go 'Cats!''Goin' for it again in * * '93--With a little less "O" * * and a lot more "D"! * * [log in to unmask] * ***********************************