On paper, I suppose, this might look like a good game. Two top ten teams, a close game, lots of power plays, real exciting. Right? Wrong. The first period in particular was terrible. The two teams together had a pathetic nine shots on goal. Not that this was because of terrific defense, but rather it was a study of ineptitude. Missed passes, lack of puck control, falling on the ice. Perhaps I am being a little too hard on these boys, but it was a real yawner. There was finally some scoring in the second, and it was all at once. Three goals in a span of two minutes, as the teams were skating 4 on 4. After that, I started to hope for more coincidental penalties, so the game might be more interesting. My companions and I were watching Anson Carter a little more closely tonight, after his fine performance the previous night against Minnesota. There is something a bit odd about him that I noticed upon closer scrutiny. He is always involved in the big plays, which is why I noticed him in the first place. Something exciting happens, and hey! Carter is right there. But when normal play proceeded, he looked less striking, out of position, or skating slowly; not hustling. A strange contradiction, it seems: he was still involved in many exciting plays, but he doesn't seem to make stuff happen. Guolla impressed me much more on Saturday. Overall, Michigan State seemed much less impressive than they had been hyped to be. Michigan was a much better, tougher team. Look for Michigan State to finish second or third in the CCHA, if they look like they did this weekend. Wisconsin was even more disappointing. After some fine WCHA conference play, I expected more. Admittedly, the first period of their game against Michigan looked great, but they couldn't sustain that level of play. One good period of hockey out of them the whole weekend. If this continues, they are definitely a second tier WCHA team this year. One good thing was the officiating. With so many people (me included) complaining about the quality of the refs this year, this game was fine. Called very tightly, which kept the two teams out of trouble. I expected the game to be a continuous scrum, but thankfully the officials called a good game and kept that from happening. The highlight of the game was not on the ice, but off. I met and talked to John H. from Michigan, and he seemed like a friendly, knowledgeable hockey fan--a joy to chat with. Thanks, John! It was a pleasure. Despite this, the exciting College Hockey Showcase seemed like it was going to be a bit of a dud, with mostly boring games for the first three. Ah, but then... Lee-nerd [log in to unmask] "Violence is the last resort of the incompetent." --Isaac Asimov