Mich Tech played two difficult games with U of North Dakota and lost both. (3-5, 3-4). It was very frustrating as a fan to watch and be able to do little or nothing. Nothing in the following comments should be construed to diminish the UND effort: They played very well and deserved to win both games. MTU's team youthfulness is all to obvious. However, the Seniors' playing are also not helping the team. When looking at the UND break away's, it was a Senior's man that was not covered. If the goalie, Jamie Ram, does not get better support from his Senior classmates, it is doubtful that his fine GAA and shots stopped % will reflect his outstanding talent. It is amazing that Ram is doing as well as he is with the very little support he is getting from the remainder of the team. MTU's freshman and sophomores are tentative in both shooting and in defending opponent players. There is a tendency to pass too much and in situations where the opponent can interfere. MTU's puck control is particularly suspect. Rather than playing the puck off the pass, the players are first stopping the puck as they receive it and then making a decision what to do about it. As a result, they are losing a step every time the puck is exchanged. Most of this is inexperience. In defending opponents, MTU is waiting for the opponent player to come to them rather than challenging and putting pressure on. It appears that they are not confident enough in their own skills to stay with the opponent. For example, Naumenko of UND had some very good shots at the MTU net because no one was stepping up and checking him. If one of our bigger players would have put him to the ice a couple of times (nothing illegal intended) him would not have even thought about attempting the shots he took. UND found that they could play a physical game and MTU would fall off. Our power play is pathethic but improving. I saw the best MTU power plays I have seen this season during the 2nd period of the Saturday night game. MTU moved the puck to the open man and he actually shot the net. Kvalevog, the UND goalie was forced to make some remarkable saves. Another improved area that I saw was our ability to avoid stupid penalties. We had the best refereeing yet this year (Shepherd & Schmitt) but our play was much cleaner also. However, in the third period, the team is getting tired and still making mistakes. The fans wanted penalties a couple of times when players took dives; the ref's this weekend knew how the game is played. To the ref's: job well done. Sidenote: the Friday linesman, Joe Romano took a puck to the side of his knee with about 2 minutes left in the game. He had to be helped off the ice and could not officiate Saturday night. Apparently nothing is broken. However, there is a severe bruise. All in all: MTU is improving but needs to focus on support the goalie puck handling challenging the opponents particularly after they cross the blue line shooting the puck third period endurance MTU is an average hockey team this year that if they improve can make the playoffs. A previous coach at MTU is reputed to have said, "the season doesn't start until after Christmas." There is plenty of time left for MTU. Walt Olson [log in to unmask]