-- Karen/Greg Ambrose <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > I think, overall, it would have been better if he had let the teams > just > play. There is no question in my mind that the disjointed flow of > the game > - penalties, commercials, etc. - worked to Maine's advantage. In a > five-on-five game UNH has more depth and probably would have had the > advantage in the third period. Of course, Michaud was playing out of > his > mind so it might not have made any difference. Interesting question of "depth" in terms of this game because "depth" is a relative term, depending on how you define it. 50+ percent of UNH's goals came from their top line, is that depth? I wouldn't say so. I said before the game that if Maine held the Krog line to 2 goals or less that we would win the game, because I felt UNH couldn't beat Maine with its other 3 lines. That's exactly what happened. The Krog line produced two very good goals, but no other line helped out. UNH's top line was clearly tired in overtime. I have contended since the end of the game that Jason Krog wins the game for UNH in overtime if he's not tired (i.e. lifts the puck over Michaud rather than allowing him to smother it). Certainly Maine outchanced UNH in overtime, but Krog had the game on his stick and couldn't get it in the air. Hockey is definitely a game of inches. See, I contend Maine's "depth" is what won them the championship. The fact that Walsh used all four lines consistently all night (that fourth line ended regulation on the ice). UNH had the better individual talent on the top line (who can argue with Krog, Haydar and Souza!), much like BC had better individual talent (Gionta, Farkas, Bellefuelle, Mottau, Allen, etc.), but to me depth is playing all four lines, being in top shape and having that be a key to success. If Maine could have kept UNH at 5-on-5 all game and declined penalties they would have. If UNH had an advantage it was their forward talent on power play and open ice of 4-on-4, but I would not give them a significant advantage five-on-five. We were joking while watching the game wondering if Maine could "decline" UNH penalties so we didn't have to kill them off!! BTW, side note.. Maine's penalty kill was 25 of 26 in the NCAA Tournament, which certainly was a key to victory. I'll be posting more thoughts on the championship itself later this week once I completely digest it!! WAY TO GO MAINE!!!! === --- Deron Treadwell - [log in to unmask] 1999 UNIVERSITY OF MAINE COMEBACK TOUR! 4 DOWN, NONE LEFT.. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.