In a message originally posted to info-hockey-l dated 96-02-03 22:54:36 EST,
[log in to unmask] (Nathan Boyle) writes:
 
>
>What sticks out in my mind, as I look back over this weekends series is
>the style of play LSSU showed.  I can't claim to be imminently familiar
>with their overall style historically speaking.  However I wasn't overly
>impressed with them.  Not because they are not good, indeed they are
>exceptionally fast, and skilled, and obviously worthy of their ranking.
>That isn't my point.  But they clearly were scuffling to much after the
>whistle, they almost got into fights entirely to often.  It was conduct I
>would expect from a low ranking team that relied on clutch and grab to
>play with good teams, but that is out of place coming from a team as good
>as they are.  Michigan showed much more poise, even respect, on the ice,
>even in a loss than I saw from the Lakers tonight.
>
>In any case even the fans were ready to go at each other tonight.  The
>players seemed ready to go at it on the ice, and some of the fans off of
>it.  I can see why they are so gung-ho for their team, and in light of
>recent success in NCAA tournament play, some of that is justifiable.
>However I don't see them getting past Michigan.  I don't see most teams
>getting past Michigan.  The Lakers may make it to third place, since WMU
>seems to be having problems, but beyond that I think MSU win the regular
>season, Michigan will come in second, and the lakers third.  WMU most
>likely will be able to get fourth, and BG will either take fifth (we like
>to travel and see the world anyway)  or overtake WMU, though we lose a
>tie-breaker in that series.
 
Historically speaking the Lakers have never been particularly good at not
retaliating. If a Laker is the victim of a cheap shot you can usually expect
a response. The response is often of greater magnitude the the original
offense. I may question the wisdom of this attitude, but after watching
countless Laker games I don't think it is ever going to change.
 
I will state that the Lakers did let it get the better of them in the Friday
night game. It appeared that they were trying to say to Graff, if your not
going to protect us, we'll protect ourselves. Again they should of kept their
focus and not worried about it.
 
Another aspect of this that amazes is me, is when home fans can't believe
that the visiting players fight back. Why they think that a team on the road
they should take whatever physical abuse is put upon them is beyond me.
 
As to the gung-ho comment. Take this from a fan who was their. The exuberance
shown when we won had nothing to do with past NCAA success or if I thought we
were a better team then Michigan. It had a whole lot to do with relief at
coming back from a 2 goal deficit to win a though road game. The Lakers did
not play very well this weekend, so it was good to see them win a game they
easily could or should of lost. You could also throw  in the home ice for the
playoffs factor as reason for excitement. (I know it isn't a lock yet) To
enjoy any long term success in the playoffs you have to win games you've been
out played in. This was just such a game.
 
Another thought on the weekend. It was good to see Jeff not shorten the bench
too much at the end of the Saturday game. I'm sure he wanted to win the game,
but it was nice to see him keep the line rotation up. I can't say for sure
but I think this is part of Jackson's overall plan. It is better to lose a
game in the regular season with your fourth line and third pair of
defensemen, then deny them the experience of playing in tough situations.
 
Chuck
 
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