What a game!!! Obviously, if you're a Laker fan you're saying something else. Every goal by both teams was a "playoff" goal. Despite UM's 3-1 lead at one time, this game went back and forth and LSSU put all the pressure in the world on UM the last 2 minutes. Luhning's goal at 10:43 was a breakaway goal and very well played by Luhning. It was like he had to prove he could play in the show. LSSU killed all of UM's momentum one minute later on one the best shots I've ever seen in hockey. On the faceoff to Turco's left, LSSU sort of won it and as Alvey was being hit and knocked forward (almost head over heels) he shot a hard drive over Turco - a stunning goal to say the least. I was sitting with Hockey-L'er John H and we both said that was a playoff goal and John said that maybe Alvey should have waited for the NCAA on that one. Six minutes later LSSU is on the power play, things are starting to swing for them, and John Madden gets his second short-handed goal of the weekend - that's 10 for the year. He is just one of the most exciting players in college hockey today. All season long, whenever UM is shorthanded, you know John is going to get a shot on goal - it's been unbelievable to say the least. A long one minute after that Botterill scored on a nice rush and a very nice shot in front of the net. That was with 1:39 left in the first and we thought that that might take the wind out of the Lakers, but NO. The Lakers never give up at this time of the season, they're a very impressive team. fifty three seconds into the second period, LSSU scored a goal on a 5 on 3 power play. You knew it was just a matter of time. It's now 3-2 and we are very worried. UM both nights games out like ganghorses (???) and then hung on the rest of the game. They've done that in the NCAA's against Maine twice before and it gets kinda scary now. Hey RED!! tell the kids it's a 60 minute game. No more scoring in the third until LSSU (Felsner) scored a short hander. UM was on a 5 minute power play, we were all hoping for a 4-2 lead and now it's 3-3 and the BIG MO is all on LSSU's side. However with 6:36 to go Bobby Hayes ( a freshman who I've heard was not given a scholarship!!!) chipped a rebound in. Both John and I looked at each other and said that this was a LONNNNGGGG time for UM to try to hold onto a one point lead. LSSU put all the pressure in the world on UM, I still can't believe they did not score, I remember the NCAA game 2 years ago too vividly still. I sure hope that UM and LSSU played for the number 2 seeds last night - one in the west and 1 in the east. It would be a crime to put these 2 teams in the same regional - let them meet ( if they both make it) in the finals or semis. By the way, UM played most of the game without the CCHA's leading scorer - Kevin Hilton - no small feat for UM. For the Kevin Hilton fans, what John found out and let's hope he posts more later, KEvin had a very bad charley horse and sat in the ice tubs most of the game. He was on the ice for the final celebrations wearing sweats and limping. I can only hope that he'll be ready next weekend. He of all the players on UM deserves a shot at the NCAA title. Steve B HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.