Deron Treadwell writes:
>Scoring Leaders:
>
>Goals:
>   Jacque Rodrique (6), Dan Shermerhorn (5)
>Assists:
>   Jeff Tory (10), Chris Imes (9)
>Total Points:
>   Jeff Tory (2-10--12), Chris Imes (2-9--11), Jacque Rodrigue
>(6-3--9)
 
BTW, note that all team scoring category leaders are defensemen.  Only
Shermerhorn is a forward.
 
This is the key stat for Maine:
 
RECORD IN ALL GAMES DECIDED BY 2 GOALS OR LESS: 5-0-3
 
Not much more needs to be said.  That is why Maine is where they are.
 
Here is how HE stacks up in that category:
 
HOCKEY EAST RECORDS IN ALL 2-GOAL GAMES
  TEAM               W-L-T   PCT
1 Maine              5-0-3  .813
2 Boston University  2-1-2  .600
3 Northeastern       3-2-2  .571
4 New Hampshire      2-1-1  .625
5 Providence         3-4-1  .438
6 Mass Lowell        2-3-1  .417
7 Boston College     1-4-3  .313
8 Merrimack          1-7-2  .200
9 Mass Amherst       0-2-1  .167
 
Astute observers will note that this ranking is almost identical to the
current HE standings...the only real difference being that in the HE
standings, Lowell is in 4th ahead of UNH & PC.
 
Both BC & Merrimack have poor records in close games, and both teams
have quickly fallen off the pace.
 
A hockey game is like a war.  A single game is made up of dozens of
little battles in which a team's strength, ability and resolve are
tested.  Some of those battles you win, and some you lose.  But what
makes those battles important is that how you perform in them overall
will determine at the end whether you are still in the game - whether
you still have a chance to win or lose.
 
Teams like BC and Merrimack are clearly battling hard enough to be in
a position to win at the end.  10 of 11 Merrimack games have been
decided by two goals or less, with the same being true for 8 of 11 BC
games.  What they have left to learn is how to get over that hump and
win the close games.  That's why what Shawn Walsh is doing at Maine
this year is so impressive...he has a team every bit as young and
inexperienced as Merrimack, more so than BC, yet they are finding ways
to win.
 
And as they say, "close" only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and
nuclear weapons.  Whether Maine is 8-0-3 overall in close games or
whether they won those 8 games by an average of 7 goals each, Maine is
still 8-0-3 and still in first place.
 
>   Then it is home for a big series against Boston University on Dec. 2
>and 3 which will decide who the early favorate in Hockey East will be..
 
Watch out...Northeastern will certainly have something to say about
that, with a game in hand on BU and 2 on Maine.
---                                                                   ---
Mike Machnik                                            [log in to unmask]
Cabletron Systems, Inc.                                    *HMM* 11/13/93