Scores: Saturday : Michigan 7, Alberta 1 Sunday : Michigan 2, Alberta 2 I attended Saturday's game (the box summary will be posted Wed.), and it sure felt good to be back in Yost after a two week absence. As I expected, the Wolverines came out very flat in the First period, but by the second they were up to speed and played a great game. Mike Stone and Cam Stewart each had two goals, and both Steve Shields and Chris Gordon played strong in the Michigan net. As the game reached the blowout status, the Golden Bears started to play some aggresive, hard hitting, violent hockey--to which the Wolverines gladly played along. The third period was rather vicious, with Alberta's resident goon--a very large guy named Cross--going after the Michigan players. Michigan's Sacka played along; he chased Cross all over the ice and when he couldn't get him he went after somebody else. Once, Referee Brent Rutherford escorted Sacka to his bench and asked Red Berenson: "Would you take care of this baby, please?" This comment met with much approval with the Alberta fans sitting directly in front of me. They cheered and jeered loud enough to get Sacka's father (sitting 3 rows and 2 seats from me) up and about to start a fight. After we got the fans to start acting their age (about 40ish) we watched the rest of the hockey game--which was relatively uneventful. SUNDAY: I was not at this game, but my friend in the press box told me all about the two-two tie. Chris Gordon played the entire game for Michigan, and stopped 27 shots. Amy complains, and I agree with her, that the Mich defense NEVER seems to play well in front of Gordon, thus never giving him the chance to play well. She said this once again happened Sunday. The game was incredibly violent, with 25 penalties handed out to Michigan alone. Apparently, during one of the many group bouts on the ice, somebody nailed Alberta's Cross in the mouth, knocking out at least one tooth. Amy (with her sick sense of humor) told me all about the trail of blood all over the ice and of the ensuing search for his tooth. There was _no_ penalty called on the play, and no one saw who did the hit. Hockey is an interesting game, isn't it? OTHER COMMENTS: I enjoyed my vacation, especially since I was at the Joe Louis Arena for the 7-3 Michigan victory over Northern. The game was enjoyable, at least for us Wolverine fans. As was mentioned already, I was im- pressed with the officiating of Sheppard (WCHA) and Shegos (CCHA). They worked both Michigan games in the tourney and did a great job in both. I really like watching college hockey on PASS, not because of the camera work or the announcers (which both need some work), but because of the "miked" refs. It sure adds a good look at an aspect of the game we fans rarely get to see. And it gives me a lot of added respect for the officials and the job they have to do. More on this later. (John H:I am supposed to be getting the official box summaries from my source in the press box every Wednesday..if you want I can get them to you also...) Happy New Year Everyone -- It's nice to be back at school! May the New Year bring us all nothing but smiles and happy times! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ____ ____ Roger L. Spurgeon [log in to unmask] |_ \ / _| Michigan Engineering `94 | \ \ / / | | |\ \/ /| | MICHIGAN HOCKEY -- 1992 GLI CHAMPIONS! 5-IN-A-ROW! _| | \ / | |_ DETROIT RED WINGS -- THANKS NORTHERN FOR DALLAS DRAKE! |__| \/ |__| MUDDY THE MUD HEN SAYS THE STORM WILL RAGE ON IN TOLEDO! Go Blue!