TMHUNH
11-08-2003, 06:42 PM
What a great game.
The perfect blend of big hits, big saves, and breakaways to make for a great and entertaining hockey game. Proof that the NHL really does need to do something to spice up the game because this game was a perfect example that entertaining and good hockey does still exist! Just put two of the best and fastest NCAA teams on an olympic sheet with no red line and thats what you will get.
Maine came out blazing in the first period, and scored on the first shift of the game. In what would be a continuing trend, Maine got an odd-man rush on Michael Ayers (CHI). UNH D-man Mick Mounsey's pass was intercepted just inside the blueline and Maine rushed up ice with speed. With Mounsey unable to get back in time, Todd Jackson (DET) was all alone out front for the tip in, but he didn't get good wood on the shot, and it just trickled off of the pad of Ayers. But Maine's Derek Damon was there for the rebound, and the backhander found its way into the net off of Ayers, who can shut out BU 4 straight times, but is scored on 30 seconds into the game. UNH was able to tie the score on an early game powerplay when PPG machine and UNH Defenseman Brian Yandle's one timer found the back of the net, it wasn't the hardest shot, but somehow Maine goalie Frank Doyle was slow to get across the crease. Maine came right back with 2 more odd-man rush goals. The second coming on a nice pass from Maine freshman Luciano Aquino. UNH got caught up ice when Saviano and Micflikier collided at their own blueline turning their scoring chance into a Maine rush, the UNH D-man came out to challenge Aquino just inside the zone, and Aquino just slid a pass to the late man coming right behind him (Ronan) who roofed it for a pretty goal over Ayers. With Maine's much heralded team speed being too much for UNH's not so fast D-men, UNH made a wise move around the 10 minute mark of the first and slowed the game down a bit, while making sure to keep their D-men back. UNH normally plays a fast paced game, but playing run and gun with Maine isn't the best choice. UNH was able to get a very important goal halfway through the period as sophomore forward Sean Collins (COL) circled out from the corner to the slot and faked a shot and passed it back to the blueline all in the same motion, Yandle collected the pass and fired a slapshot top shelf through a screen that found it's way over Doyle's shoulder. Turns out Collins was never credited with an assist on the play but I am almost positive it was him, could have been Saviano though. It was one of those plays where if it didn't go in, you are mad at the player for not making the initial, closer shot, but it worked out in the end. After that, the most important thing in the game happened. Mike Ayers found his normal self, and started making big saves to keep his team in it.
The 2nd period came out looking a lot like the 2nd half of the 1st period, good action but no goals. A lot of big saves at both ends. Collins and Keith Johnson came up short on breakaways for their respective teams. After an important shift by UNH's high energy line with Pat Foley(PIT) and Josh Ciocco throwing big hits, UNH started to play with huge emotion, the crowd was getting into it, and momentum was shifting towards UNH. The tying goal was scored when a Sean Collins shot/pass bounced off a Maine skate and into the center of the ice inside of the blueline. Both Robbie Barker and Nathan Martz(NYR) of UNH were set up on their forehand for shots, but Martz got their first blasting a wicked one timer into the net. It must have deflected off something at least once, and the goal was not originally counted, but upon review the score was tied. From that point on the 2nd period was all UNH, playing the best period of hockey I have seen all year (in at least 30 some odd games so far), the players were filled with emotion scoring the extra effort emotion-filled shoot while you are falling to the ice goals that brought the fans to a screaming ovation. The first of such goals was an amazing individual effort by the first star of the game, and the season so far for UNH, senior forward Steve Saviano. The best part of the play was made at his own blueline, when he found the outlet pass behind him, but nonchalantly made a behind the back tip pass to himself without breaking stride, he brought the puck over the blueline and towards the right corner, then made one of his patented cutbacks, leaving the Maine player behind. He moved back towards the center of the ice untouched, and fired a hard wrist shot labeled over Doyle's right shoulder and into the net. The reaction was classic as Saviano jumped into the air as high as he is tall, and then was tackled by multiple teammates. UNH didn't stop there as the top line struck again just minutes later. As Maine was trying to clear their own zone to go for a line change, Saviano corraled the puck and hit Justin Aikins (CBS) across the ice just off of the bench, Aikins came over the blueline, drew the defender, and slid a pass into the middle of the ice to Collins, who on what must have been his 5th one on one chance of the game, faked right to draw Doyle, and as he was falling down to the right, he brought the puck with one hand on the stick to the left of Doyle and into the open net. Still riding high on emotion, UNH would add another to end the period on another supreme individual effort by Junior center Justin Aikins. He deked through what seemed like the whole main team by himself and fired one into the net while falling down almost identical to the Collins goal, just on the other side.
UNH came out strong again in the 3rd period, and held strong to their lead. The NHL sized third line of Caron (EDM), Travis (FLA), and Dan Winnik grinded down the Black Bears and continued to get scoring chances. I thought they were the best line all night, and actually may have had the most scoring chances of any line, although coming up empty because of a few bad bounces. A couple of late 5 on 3's for Maine proved good enough only to rack up Ayers' save total, and UNH held on for a 6-3 win.
Best Black Bear of the night: Tie between Greg Moore (CGY) and Todd Jackson (DET). No surprise here, they have been the best forwards all year for Maine.
Worst: I thought Doyle had a pretty bad game in net. He made a couple of big saves, but could have saved a lot of the goals.
Best Wildcat of the night: Both Collins and Saviano were on fire, and Ed Caron had about 10 scoring chances, but after a bad start I point to Mike Ayers keeping the team in the game as the gamebreaker. Made some unreal saves, particularly on a highlight reel stop on Damon in the 2nd, on a rebound after a tough first save, sprawled on the ground.
Worst: I would have to say Mike Hutchins (SJ). Played OK all night except for 2 shifts where he got caught on the ice. Needs to work on his stamina, made lots of bad clearing attempts to keep him on the ice.
The perfect blend of big hits, big saves, and breakaways to make for a great and entertaining hockey game. Proof that the NHL really does need to do something to spice up the game because this game was a perfect example that entertaining and good hockey does still exist! Just put two of the best and fastest NCAA teams on an olympic sheet with no red line and thats what you will get.
Maine came out blazing in the first period, and scored on the first shift of the game. In what would be a continuing trend, Maine got an odd-man rush on Michael Ayers (CHI). UNH D-man Mick Mounsey's pass was intercepted just inside the blueline and Maine rushed up ice with speed. With Mounsey unable to get back in time, Todd Jackson (DET) was all alone out front for the tip in, but he didn't get good wood on the shot, and it just trickled off of the pad of Ayers. But Maine's Derek Damon was there for the rebound, and the backhander found its way into the net off of Ayers, who can shut out BU 4 straight times, but is scored on 30 seconds into the game. UNH was able to tie the score on an early game powerplay when PPG machine and UNH Defenseman Brian Yandle's one timer found the back of the net, it wasn't the hardest shot, but somehow Maine goalie Frank Doyle was slow to get across the crease. Maine came right back with 2 more odd-man rush goals. The second coming on a nice pass from Maine freshman Luciano Aquino. UNH got caught up ice when Saviano and Micflikier collided at their own blueline turning their scoring chance into a Maine rush, the UNH D-man came out to challenge Aquino just inside the zone, and Aquino just slid a pass to the late man coming right behind him (Ronan) who roofed it for a pretty goal over Ayers. With Maine's much heralded team speed being too much for UNH's not so fast D-men, UNH made a wise move around the 10 minute mark of the first and slowed the game down a bit, while making sure to keep their D-men back. UNH normally plays a fast paced game, but playing run and gun with Maine isn't the best choice. UNH was able to get a very important goal halfway through the period as sophomore forward Sean Collins (COL) circled out from the corner to the slot and faked a shot and passed it back to the blueline all in the same motion, Yandle collected the pass and fired a slapshot top shelf through a screen that found it's way over Doyle's shoulder. Turns out Collins was never credited with an assist on the play but I am almost positive it was him, could have been Saviano though. It was one of those plays where if it didn't go in, you are mad at the player for not making the initial, closer shot, but it worked out in the end. After that, the most important thing in the game happened. Mike Ayers found his normal self, and started making big saves to keep his team in it.
The 2nd period came out looking a lot like the 2nd half of the 1st period, good action but no goals. A lot of big saves at both ends. Collins and Keith Johnson came up short on breakaways for their respective teams. After an important shift by UNH's high energy line with Pat Foley(PIT) and Josh Ciocco throwing big hits, UNH started to play with huge emotion, the crowd was getting into it, and momentum was shifting towards UNH. The tying goal was scored when a Sean Collins shot/pass bounced off a Maine skate and into the center of the ice inside of the blueline. Both Robbie Barker and Nathan Martz(NYR) of UNH were set up on their forehand for shots, but Martz got their first blasting a wicked one timer into the net. It must have deflected off something at least once, and the goal was not originally counted, but upon review the score was tied. From that point on the 2nd period was all UNH, playing the best period of hockey I have seen all year (in at least 30 some odd games so far), the players were filled with emotion scoring the extra effort emotion-filled shoot while you are falling to the ice goals that brought the fans to a screaming ovation. The first of such goals was an amazing individual effort by the first star of the game, and the season so far for UNH, senior forward Steve Saviano. The best part of the play was made at his own blueline, when he found the outlet pass behind him, but nonchalantly made a behind the back tip pass to himself without breaking stride, he brought the puck over the blueline and towards the right corner, then made one of his patented cutbacks, leaving the Maine player behind. He moved back towards the center of the ice untouched, and fired a hard wrist shot labeled over Doyle's right shoulder and into the net. The reaction was classic as Saviano jumped into the air as high as he is tall, and then was tackled by multiple teammates. UNH didn't stop there as the top line struck again just minutes later. As Maine was trying to clear their own zone to go for a line change, Saviano corraled the puck and hit Justin Aikins (CBS) across the ice just off of the bench, Aikins came over the blueline, drew the defender, and slid a pass into the middle of the ice to Collins, who on what must have been his 5th one on one chance of the game, faked right to draw Doyle, and as he was falling down to the right, he brought the puck with one hand on the stick to the left of Doyle and into the open net. Still riding high on emotion, UNH would add another to end the period on another supreme individual effort by Junior center Justin Aikins. He deked through what seemed like the whole main team by himself and fired one into the net while falling down almost identical to the Collins goal, just on the other side.
UNH came out strong again in the 3rd period, and held strong to their lead. The NHL sized third line of Caron (EDM), Travis (FLA), and Dan Winnik grinded down the Black Bears and continued to get scoring chances. I thought they were the best line all night, and actually may have had the most scoring chances of any line, although coming up empty because of a few bad bounces. A couple of late 5 on 3's for Maine proved good enough only to rack up Ayers' save total, and UNH held on for a 6-3 win.
Best Black Bear of the night: Tie between Greg Moore (CGY) and Todd Jackson (DET). No surprise here, they have been the best forwards all year for Maine.
Worst: I thought Doyle had a pretty bad game in net. He made a couple of big saves, but could have saved a lot of the goals.
Best Wildcat of the night: Both Collins and Saviano were on fire, and Ed Caron had about 10 scoring chances, but after a bad start I point to Mike Ayers keeping the team in the game as the gamebreaker. Made some unreal saves, particularly on a highlight reel stop on Damon in the 2nd, on a rebound after a tough first save, sprawled on the ground.
Worst: I would have to say Mike Hutchins (SJ). Played OK all night except for 2 shifts where he got caught on the ice. Needs to work on his stamina, made lots of bad clearing attempts to keep him on the ice.