In Maine's annual scrimmage, the Blue squad defeated the White team by a score of 4-2. Unfortunately I did not take notes, but here it is from memory (sorry the times do escape me): Blue/White Scrimmage Sat. Oct. 12, Alfond Arena, Orono BLUE- 1-1-2-- 4 WHITE-0-0-2-- 2 FIRST PERIOD: BLUE- Shawn Wansborough (Jason Price, Cory Larose) PPG SECOND PERIOD: BLUE- Shawn Wansborough (unassited) THIRD PERIOD: BLUE- David Cullen (Dan Shermerhorn) SHG WHITE- Matt Oliver (Steve Kariya) WHITE- Brian White (Trevor Roenick) BLUE- Reg Cardinal (Dan Shermerhorn) ENG GOALTENDERS: Alfie Michaud (first 30:00 for Blue, 0 goals allowed) (second 30:00 for White, 2 goals allowed) Bryan Masotta (20:00 for White, 1 goal allowed) Javier Gorriti (10:00 for White, 0 goals allowed) (10:00 for Blue, 0 goals allowed) Ed Washuk (20:00 for Blue, 2 goals allowed) Shots: 32 each COMMENTS: It's always hard to try and rate a game like this, because neither side is at it's best with the squads split, but I'll throw out some of my thoughts and we can discuss them as the opening date with Michigan draws near. One of the largest questions coming into this season is Maine's goaltending, with the loss of Allison and Marsh from last year's team. Alfie Michaud was greeted with a warm response tonight, and played well. We've heard a lot of positive things about Michaud, and considering he was only recently cleared to practice I think he did well. If I have one complaint at this point, it is that he goes down too often and too much. Perhaps it is because I have grown to see Allison's stand-up style. Michaud is right on target on the first shot. He only allowed two goals and played 60 minutes of hockey. The first goal was Wansborough's goal, and Michaud had a hard time seeing it, the second goal was Shermerhorn and Cullen on a 2-on-1 shorthanded, Cullen one-timed it by Michaud. Both goals were good. While Michaud will be "the man", don't be surprised to see RPI transfer Brian Masotta in there for some playing time. In Masotta's 20 minutes tonight, he played solid allowing one goal but making some quality saves. He should be Michaud's backup. The other key will be the defense depleated by graduation and defection. Like I said above Michaud looked good on the initial shot, and *most* times both Blue and White squads did a good job respectively clearing out rebounds and tying people up. This will be so important this season. Overall I don't have too many gripes about the defense at all. Overall they were pretty tight. Shawn Mansoff did a great job considering he just got clearance to play. There are no glaring mistakes that stick in my mind, and when you are talking about defense that's a good thing. There were some minor miscues here and there, but that is to be expected so early. Brian White, Jeff Libby and David Cullen stick in my mind as the best offensive defensemen. White and Cullen both scored, but all three were agressive offensively. Who will step in to fill the role of Tory and Clark remains to be seen, but Cullen looked the best to me out there. Up front there is no question Maine's best line tonight was Cory Larose centering Shawn Wansborough and Jason Price (BLUE). All three of these guys are very talented offensively, and if Greg Cronin keeps them together they could be an exciting line to watch. Wansborough scored twice, but Price and Larose had many chances and also seemed to have a good feel for the net. Dan Shermerhorn and Reg Cardinal were especially strong for Blue, especially defensively and short-hand. Both teams had several power-plays, especially in an erratic first period, but Blue had the better penalty kill. The best individual player for White might have been Steve Kariya. In my view Kariya was the fastest player out there, and seemed to be breaking with the puck and setting the table all night. I can see Kariya possibily filling the role left by Lovell, and perhaps playing the point on the power-play. Scott Parmentier played well up front for White, as did Bobby Stewart. We can talk more next week about what this team will need to do to beat Michigan next Friday, but I was encouraged at what I saw this evening. I think all Maine fans have tried to keep expectations low after the defections and NCAA problems. The Hockey East coaches have picked Maine 4th, and others have picked them lower. Hard to say what this team will do, but they will surprise some people. Let's hear from some other people who were there. --- Deron Treadwell - [log in to unmask] Editor, US College Hockey Online USCHO: http://www.uscollegehockey.com