Ooooooh, what a game!!!!! As Tom Mees said during one of the OT's : "OUTRAGEOUS" But, first, the much discussed ESPN coverage (more discussed than the game itself)... I saw the game on tape in the evening and not having set the record long enough (who thght this game wd go this long :) ), the recording had stopped with 20 seconds left in the 2nd OT. As it turned out that was a no-factor thanks to ESPN. I must disagree with Ryan Robbins on what ESPN did - we do not have to be grateful to ESPN for anything. They do not provide coverage for free. They are a business and are in this to make money (Note: I am not saying that in any derogatory sense). So, when they choose to show College Hockey, that means they have seena potential for good business...no more. If they did not they would not show the games and I would not complain about that. However, having decided to to show the game, by their own ethics and rules, they are obliged to carry ther game in full (ala the Family Cup tennis match...sure, I did not want an hour of a 3rd round tennis game recorded on my tape...however, what ESPN did there was right). In fact, toward the end of the 2nd period, Mees mentioned "we have only abt 45 mins of the Senior PGA tournament left. But, seeing how this game has gone so far, and how much effort these kids have put into it, and this being the NCAA national semis, you folks will understand" (after claiming that they were going to stay with the game to the end) (all this from memory). Right on! Little did Mees know about the kind of people he's working for. And regarding the satellitle excuse - hmm...sounds very fishy to me. I don't understand the jargon, but, this reasoning coming the day after, after all the noise about their lack of coverage...surely, they could have mentioned it at that time; surely they could have mentioned that they were not showing a live shot of the winning goal. I think its just a fib. Oh well, enough about ESPN (I only hope they don't pull any more stunts on Saturday). To the game itself: just incredible. The interesting thing is that both teams played a very similar style of game. Both chose to attack or defend at about the same time leading to either tight defensive hockey or explosive offense at either end. Could not even count the number of great chances both teams had. The stars of the game: Without a dobt, the goalies Turco and Allison. Both showed brilliance (at times, sheer luck :>) and were primarily responsible for the OTs as well as the 3-3 score (could have very easily been something like 7-7). As far as the refereeing in the OTs : while I agree with letting the kids play and not wanting to decide a close game, I think the refs should have called some. However, I am glad that once they decided not to call anthing, they stuck to that idea till the end (and not call a random one which would have left a sour taste had it been the decider). I also appreciated that the players did not take *too much* advantage of this and make it a brawl game. Instead they played hockey. Kudos to both teams on this spectacular performance - it was sad that there could be only one winner. I feel bad for Michigan - they seem to be carrying the monkey now that Maine did for a long time (not being able to get past the semis). I'm sure they will ignore it (as Maine did) and be back very soon. ME-BU : need I say anything :-) The rivalry lives! Hoping for a game tomorrow to top it all! Cheers Venky GO BLUE!!!! Bring it home again!!! (still replaying images of Allison on his back putting his glove up to save an open goal in the 3rd; Turco barely deflecting Purdie from the open net in the 1st OT; Morrison slamming one on the goal post in the 1st OT; a sprawling Turco gloving a sure goal from Thomson in the 2nd OT)