In a play-off series you do not shake hands until after the final game ---------- From: The College Hockey Discussion List on behalf of Brenton A. Rogers Sent: Friday, March 07, 1997 11:15 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Cornell 2, Harvard 2 (OT) Cornell scored in the first 29 seconds of the game, only to see Harvard tie it up before the end of the period. Harvard made the only tally in the second, but Cornell knotted the score at two halfway into the third. Throughout an intense overtime period, neither team could capitalize on some excellent scoring chances. Cornell's offense did an excellent job of putting on the pressure and bringing the puck to the net. On the other hand, they appeared incompetent once they were there. I don't know how many point-blank shots they failed to put in, or how many passes slid past an open net, but there were plenty. Harvard goaltender J.R. Prestifilipo seemed to have that perfect combination of skill and dumb luck that makes a hot goalie. Cornell's powerplay was nonexistant. They had three 5-on-3 advantages, including one in the final 1:45 of the game, but once again were unable to put the puck in the net. The officiating was almost as bad as the Cornell special teams. Basically, the referee lost control of the game sometime in the second period. Blatant fouls by both teams went uncalled, and some very unecessary injuries resulted. There seemed to be plenty of bad blood between the two Ivy League competitors, and in the end the Harvard players refused to shake the hands of their counterparts. After Harvard's goalie was hurt in a jumble in front of the net and another player went down after a hard check into the boards, their coach appeared to be very upset with the lack of penalty-calling. I can't say that I completely blame him, but I would assert that the bad (non)calls went both ways. One of the more controversial moments in the game occured on an apparent Cornell goal early in the second period. After a scirmish in front of the net, the puck dissappeared. Soon thereafter, the goal judge lit the lamp and the referee signalled the goal. The Harvard team, especially Prestifilippo, was very upset with the call and followed the ref around the rink. I don't know exactly what was said, but eventually the goal was recalled. The game went downhill from there. HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List. HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.