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Michigan-Dearborn takes it to the Eagles all day as the Wolves of Dearborn hand the Eagles one of their worst home losses in recent memory by the score of 8-3.

Ann Arbor, Michigan- The Michigan-Dearborn Wolves came into the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on a mission, while the Eagles didn't show much effort and fight en route to the Wolves winning 8-3.

The first period of the game was a physical period of hockey and the Wolves took advantage of it to the tee. Michigan-Dearborn scored two goals in the period, the first by Jason Turri and the second by Jeff Bancroft. The Wolves were skating and had many outstanding opportunities to score on the Eagles, while the few chances the Eagles had were stopped rather easily by the Dearborn Goalie Jason Ryan. The Eagles didn't look very good on the ice, playing extremely sloppy giving Dearborn many 3 on 2's or 2 on 1's back the other way. Meanwhile, Dearborn was skating hard and was just taking the body for the entire period almost putting the Eagles back on their heels.

The second period of the game began very similar to the first period with Dearborn scoring another goal to make it a 3 goal deficit for the Eagles. The goal was scored by Chris Musser. However, during the Eagles fought back with two unanswered goals to make the score 3-2. The Eagles first goal was a sloppy goal stuck in front of the net, in which at last John Fritz plowed it in the back of the net, to give the Eagles fans a bit of hope. Momentum looked like it had shifted a bit as the Eagles started to attack with a bit more energy. Soon afterwards, off of a Power Play the Eagles were able to get another goal on a beautiful pass to Paddy O'Reilly. This was the Eagles first power play goal of the game. Things looked to be going well, until with 8 seconds left in the period when Dearborn was able to get a goal off of Sam Horton, to make the period end 4-2.

The third period of the game was when Dearborn really showed that they were a solid hockey team as they were literally flying all over the ice and knocking Eastern off of the puck constantly and consistently. Dearborn scored another goal to make the score 5-2. However, the Eagles looked like they might show a bit of life as Derek Wilson powered home a goal to make the score 5-3. Dearborn however, responded 30 seconds later to make the game 6-3, and added two more to win very impressively at the Cube by the score of 8-3.

The Eagles on this evening looked like they were out for a good workout, but not really focused on winning the hockey game. In the physical nature of the game, you would usually see both teams dishing out equal punishment. Not tonight, the Eagles seemed to do a lot of standing around and watching, and let Dearborn manhandle them at many times throughout the game. The only reason this is shocking is because the Eagles defeated this same team by the score of 7-2, and according to Coach Fassbender "Friday night you could feel a lot of emotion in the air, we played a sound defensive hockey game." Tonight, that didn't happen.

One thing that I did notice on this evening as well was that the Eagles at times couldn't even get the puck out of their own defensive zone. The Wolves had just taken it to them and the Eagles at times almost looked confused on what to do to get out of this area. The Neutral Zone was also in Dearborn's control as the Eagles rarely got out of it, and when they did they were usually knocked off the puck anyways. The Eagles goals came on individual efforts and very nice individual plays. However, this isn't the manner in which a team should be playing towards the end of the season. Hopefully the Eagles will be able to up in Ohio find their rhythm of the past couple of weeks and get back to playing TEAM hockey. I honestly feel that when the Eagles can put together a game like the U of M games, the Eagles could scare a few teams, if they make the National Tournament that is.

The Eagles played very lackluster tonight, and their grades on this evening represent that unfortunately. I think all of the Eagles Fans and the Eagles themselves expect a lot more about themselves than the effort that was shown tonight. It's a lot easier to reward a team for putting out effort every night, but when they don't on one, it's hard to say much.

The Dearborn fans made a lot of noise tonight, doing what they did to support their team. The Eagles fans made noise very seldom (which is understandable) and only when the Eagles scored. When Penn State comes to town, the Eagles fans need to rock the Cube, to give our team emotion and support throughout the game, regardless of the score. Sometimes, you can equate the effort on the ice to that of the effort of the fans. So let's make some noise fans!

The Eagles now go on a difficult road trip to the site of the ACHA Nationals at Bird Arena in Athens, Ohio to take on the Bobcats of Ohio University. The Eagles need to win one of these games in my mind to make their Nationals case even stronger. Then the Eagles return home for their last two games of the season against West Virginia and the highly ranked Penn State Icers.

Let's wish for four victories!

Until Next Time,
GO GREEN!

C- 
The offense was not ticking during this game at all. This was mostly due to the fact that the Eagles were consistently knocked off the puck. The Eagles must work on returning their offensive play from the University of Michigan game. I feel as if the Eagles should maintain their own physical presence and pressure the defensive zone a little more. I also feel that the Eagles need to work on bringing the puck into the zone more than dumping it in. Some cycling is fine and has helped, but they need to show that they are NOT afraid of their opponents coming into the zone. The passing must also revert to its old form, where it looked like the Eagles were a team. 

C-  
The defense on this night was anemic and again allowed for Dearborn to clearly control the game. The defense needs to continue to pressure opponents by blocking shots and intercepting passes. The passive box is not a bad means of playing defense, but Eagles hockey is a bit more aggressive. Pressure the puck-handlers, and rush the other way. The Eagles stood around way too much and let the Wolves manhandle them in their own zone. 

C-  
One Power Play goal will not bail out the Eagles on this evening. It was a pretty goal though. 

C-  
I have seen Horton play a lot better. That's the only reason for the lower grade.

D  
The Eagles will do better. They have to.

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