Lost in all this ESPN sucks talk is the fact that inbetween the golf and tennis we just saw one fo the greatest games in the history of the NCAA tournament. Don't overlook that. I watched the game at Rafters, our local sports bar, with most of the UMass athletic department. Almost everybody was pissed off before the 3rd OT, but we can't let it overshadow the game itself. MY OBSERVATIONS: Credit Freshman Marty Turco, with a simply fantatstic preformance! He showed poise and grace underpressure, and made some huge saves, especially the sprawling glove stop on the Maine break away in the 2nd OT. Allison was stellar as well. Most of the season I've knocked him, pointing out Maine's incredible D which makes his job easier than you'd think. I took it all back, with the on-his-back save on Legg late in the third. My vote for the best contributions though goes to Red Berenson. I haven't seen too much of Michigan this year, but when I have, it's always been a high-flying, Morrison and Knuble led attack, with Turco holding the fort. Berenson, countered Maine's D, with something all too familiar, Maine's D. Maine likes to prevent their opponents from scoring, and capitalizing on quick counter-attacks. Michigan did this as well today and had great success. Michigan has far stronger offensive weapons than Maine, and by neutralizing Maine's guns, they held an advantage for a good chunk of the game. Typically Maine stops their opponets offense until it is comparable to their own. Michigan threw this ploy at maine and it stalled the Black Bears for quite a while. The second period especially had NO offense what so ever by either team, with both teams playing Main'e style hockey. Excellent officiating in OT. Forget about swallowing the whistle, I think the refs left their whistles in the locker room. Once the Morrison hit on Wansborough three minutes into OT went uncalled, it was clear that nothing would. For once though, the refs actually DIDN'T call ANYTHING. Had they whistled one of the penalties towards the end of that period, we could gripe, but I commend the refs for their clinic in playoff OT officiating. No blood, no foul and mean it! I now like BU to win it all. After the game I took part in a Final 4 discussion in WMUA's SportsLine, and the synopsis follows: Maine is REALLY TIRED. Toward the end of the 2nd OT, I thought some players from both teams would pass out at any moment. BU will beat Minnesota tonight. Against Maine, I think they'll win. The Terriers have yet to beat Maine this year, but they haven't played since December, when many Terriers were still very inexperienced. I remember the GW Freeze Out loss fell entirely on the shoulders of two rookie mistakes by Chris Kelleher, who has since developed into a All-HE Rookie Team defenseman. Parker is still looking to avenge disasterous endings to the past few seasons, and will not let BU rest until they have their their fourth title. In conclusion...We should be happy that we got on ESPN in the first place, LIVE for four of the six periods...A goaltending and officiating clinc today...Berenson's a heck of a coach...BU's my pick to win. And I'm still interested in tickets for Saturday if anybody has some to spare. Leigh [log in to unmask]