Home | Schedule | Roster | Recaps | Stats | Coach's Corner | Photos | Articles | Predictions | Multimedia | Ice Cube | About Us | Message Board

Ann Arbor, MI- An amazing hockey game was played on this evening in the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Eastern Michigan was outplayed by the Kent State Golden Flashes for most of the game and were behind for most of the game. However, Eastern Michigan made the proper amount of noise in key situations to win this game.

Both sides started out firing as Kent State scored just 26 seconds into the game. Eastern Michigan then responded with a goal by Robert McNamara 30 seconds later. It was 1-1 before the first minute was played! Then Kent State started to take the game to Eastern Michigan, plastering them from the puck at times and scoring a couple of goals past Mr. Sam Horton. One of these was a Power Play Goal, on a wicked shot.

During this period, McNamara also got hurt briefly and I would just like to commend the Kent State players for their class by cheering when he got up. Some hockey teams do not have the proper demeanor to get through something like that.

The second period showed a bit of a change with Eastern Michigan starting to gain the advantage by scoring a goal real quick in the 2nd period, about 30 seconds in. It was a huge goal that gave the team a boost. Later on in the period, Eastern tied it up with a Power Play Goal scored by Johnny Brown. It was a beautiful play with three passes and Johnny Brown shooting it right past Goalie Cameron Lee, who played an OUTSTANDING game.

The Third Period showed a bit more of an evenly played match. Kent State scored with 14:00 left in the game which game the entire EMU crowd quite a shock. Eastern Michigan however, tied it up with a beautiful goal. The rest of the period insisted on both sides having multiple chances to score but nothing was to beat them at this time.

Overtime came, with Kent State gaining the advantage quite quickly putting a large amount of pressure on the EMU goalie. A couple of nice plays by the defense helped save Horton. With 2:00 left in the game, a Kent State player released some anger and ended up going to the Penalty Box. Five seconds later, Eastern Michigan scored the winning goal.

Kent State has an outstanding team, but committing 10 penatlies vs EMU's 4 is what ultimately cost them the game. As I stated to my grandfather who sat right next to me in the first intermission I stated: "This team will not beat itself by playing poorly, they'll beat themselves with penalties." Probably the first time my prediction ever made sense. =)

Looking Ahead: 
Eastern Michigan has one more game against Kent State tomorrow at 7:30 PM on the Stadium Rink. I will not be there unfortunately. Next week, Eastern Michigan is in Buffalo, NY to take on the cellar dwelling University of Buffalo. That should be an easy 8 points, but you never know in the CSCHL. Odd things can happen. =0

A-
Reasoning: The Offense kept up the pressure the entire evening, and against Kent State's quite outstanding defense scoring 5 goals was just amazing. They did things when they had to, and just produced enough to make this game worthwhile and luckily for Eastern Michigan, a victory.

B+
Reasoning: Kent State in the first period really took it to Eastern Michigan. The defense played well, but again they made a lot of dumb passes in front of the net. Kent State was able to turn one of these into a goal. The defense wasn't as crisp as I'm used to, they weren't on the puck as much and in the first period they allowed Kent to attack them at will. Ultimately, I cannot accuse them of much since this is only the 3rd game, but the defense needs some fine tuning because a team just like Kent State can beat you with these minor mistakes.

B
Reasoning: Truly a toss up here. The Power Play had about 8 chances and scored on  3 of them which is quite good. However, the Penalty Kill made several mistakes and gave Kent State a lot of chances to score, which ultimately did lead to one goal scored against Eastern Michigan. Kent State has in my mind an outstanding Penalty Kill, they suffocated Eastern Michigan for the entire night, the three goals were just blistering shots.

A
Sam Horton saved EMU on several occasions at the end of the game. He was placed under a TON of pressure and handled himself quite well, especially after a quite discouraging first period of hockey from him. Horton got an A for his poise and for his success.

B+
Reasoning: It was an amazing Hockey Game, the crowd got into it, Overtime was involved and of course several penalties. Kent State earned a ton of my respect by the way they played and by the way in which they showed class. Eastern Michigan did enough to win, not having the lead until the last moment of the game. They took advantage of situations when they had to, and won the game. It was also nice to see an Overtime win for a Michigan team. About damn time. =)

Page Design by Kevin McCrumb using Microsoft Frontpage