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Never in my years of watching Eastern Michigan Hockey at the Ice Cube would I EVER imagine that I would post a recap written by myself in this regard. The Penn State Icers and their referees core showed that they deserved the top recognition that they have earned by dominating the Eagles 5 on 4 and 5 on 3, in their 10-4 Victory. 

Ann Arbor, Michigan- The Penn State Icers came into Ann Arbor looking for a dominant performance, and in some regards I suppose they did. The Penn State Icers defeated the Eagles by the score of 10-4.

It seems as if every year when the Penn State Icers come into town, I end up not talking about how well they played and how impressed I was with the Penn State Icers. Just for the record, I thought they were one hell of a team, with some of the most beautiful passing and most beautifully played hockey. They were always in the spots they needed to be, and were always in position to play well. They kept the Eagles out of their zone for periods of time but let's just understand that this was when the score was 8-1. This game is going to bug me for a long time, not because of the score but how one sided and unfair this game was. To summarize and put in words, The Referees GAVE Penn State this game. 

The first period of the game began very evenly in my mind. Eastern Michigan came out with a lot of emotion and took it to Penn State early on in the period getting a few very good shots and opportunities to score on the Eagles. Penn State scored their first goal on a nice play, but their second goal was an unlucky deflection. However, the Eagles did bounce back with their first goal of the game at 12:10 by Justin Shaw. This goal evened the game out to a score of 2-1 and the Eagles looked like they had some momentum going. The Penn State Coach, Joe Batista screamed at his players about something and whatever the hell it was, it didn't work on the Players, but it sure as hell worked on the referee. The Eagles were called with a penalty on a very tickety-tack play, in which I didn't see anything worse than the Penn State players were doing. Sure enough 10 seconds later, Penn State scored goal #3. Alright, not a big deal. Two Eastern Players were then proceeded to be ejected and Penn State earned approximately 8 minutes of Power Play time. Yes, you read that right. EIGHT minutes of power play time. Every time Eastern did anything on the ice, they were called for a penalty. You really don't believe me do you? Let us review the penalty numbers in the first period. Penn State had 1 penalty for 2 minutes, while Eastern Michigan had 8 for 35 MINUTES. Eastern Michigan this season averaged approximately 20 Minutes of penalties PER GAME.  2 of those 8 minutes of time that Penn State had were 5 on 3, in which PSU proceeded to score their 4th goal and added one more to end the period to the delight of the Penn State fans. An evenly played hockey game at 2-1 was turned into a blowout by the Refs. The penalties were really inexistent, the EMU crowd was getting anxious, and of course the Penn State fans sat back and smiled knowing they were being handed the game. Eastern might have deserved a couple of the penalties, but 35 minutes worth? Come on, and Penn State did some illegal stuff as well on the ice.

The second period began as the first did, with the Eagles getting a couple of penalties to allow for Penn State to score another two goals. In a game such as this it wasn't really surprising. The Eagles were flustered and frustrated with what was happening on the ice, that about mid way through the period a brawl broke out in front of the EMU crowd we were sitting in. EMU fans, again generally mild-mannered cheered this. I for one do not condone the cheering of a fight on the ice, as a matter of fact I usually look at it as extremely stupid and am usually in disgust. I consider it two minutes against the team and it forces them into a bad position. I cheered as well. Could one call this act classless? I don't really know, considering the fact that people cheer for fights all the time and considering that the Eagles were winning the fight... Perhaps, it is bad to stoop down to a level as low as this, but in a game that was as frustrating and deceitful it was irritating. However, as the fans that I talked to during this ordeal agreed, that the referees caused for the game to be put into this position.  Just for the record, this is where Penn State received 2 of its 3 penalties in the period. The last few minutes of play was when Penn State actually showed some dominance against the Eagles preventing them from attacking the offensive zone and scored a goal. Quite frankly, these few minutes demonstrated to me a lot. When the score was 6-1(I loved this.), Penn State brought in their backup goaltender. Yep, people consider across the country consider Penn State an organization that holds "class above all." I found it very cocky, yet understandable. After all, my problem doesn't lie with the Icers, it lies with the manner in which they were given the game. 

The third period of the game was probably the most interesting period of the game because it was played 5 on 5. The Eagles down 8-1 after two periods, came back to score 3 goals vs Penn State's 2 in the period and actually showed a bit of prowess when PSU decided to go to their "backup goalie." So just for the record, when the play was even the score was approximately 5-4 PSU, which could have been close to the score this game would of been 5 on 5. It was also an evenly played period with EMU getting 10 shots and PSU having 11. One could consider this due to the fact that PSU got lazy due to their lead, and I could see that. However, let's just call that due to the referring of the game.

NEVER in my life would I have ever imagined I would be preaching a whole recap about how poor the Referees were in this game. It's ridiculous and it bugs me. The referees during the game were very assinine and extremely unfair in their calling of the game. Typically when you have a game between two teams the referees will usually call the game fair and allow for the players to play. Tonight, it felt as if Joe Batista and Penn State paid off the referees to give them the correct calls to allow for them to win the game. Or perhaps the referee was a PSU graduate in stripes. Of course, neither of them are most likely true but it sure felt that way. No team, does that much wrong in such a short time. If you are going to ref a game call things both ways. Just because Penn State might be the #2 team in the country and the 3-time defending champion does NOT mean they play perfect hockey. Call it fair refs. It is UNACCEPTABLE to have a game torn away from one team, especially a team that is fighting for their playoff life. 

I really hope Penn State is happy with their effort on the ice. They looked outstanding and I was in awe half the game about their play, especially when they were on the Power Play. I have never seen a team look so sharp in my life and dominate portions of a game as they did. However, like I told in an email to one of the individuals at hockey101.com, I wish I could of seen a typical EMU vs PSU Game, or a typical game in general in which the penalties were FAIR across the board and were for decent calls that prevented scoring opportunities. A game that was played for the majority of the game 5 on 5 would of been wonderful and EMU would of put a tiny scare into PSU! A large number of EMU's happened at CENTER ICE or in the BOARDS. 

Honestly, PSU would of probably won the game had it been 5 on 5, but it would of been a hell of a lot closer and a hell of a lot more interesting.

Now here is the most disappointing part of the story. The referees blood-bath and unfair play came at one of the worst times in my mind. Tonight was Senior Night at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The Senior Class of individuals from EMU have to be commended for their excellent play throughout their four seasons. As a fan of the Eagles, it has been a privilege and an absolute honor to watch these Eagles play for their four years. To those seniors, your legacy will never be forgotten as you helped to develop the Eastern Michigan program into what it is today, a program of class, dignity and success on the ice. I applaud your efforts as you have given me the opportunity to highlight your efforts in my writing.

The Senior Class of 2002-2003 include:

#6: Robert McNamara- With his brother was a phenomenal combination and did a wonderful job this season keeping the team together and scoring points and the such when was needed.

#11: Scott Ball- An outstanding player who EMU only had for about a semester. A transfer from Michigan-Dearborn, Scott Ball played outstanding for the Eagles and is and was a wonderful fit for the club.

#16: John Fritz- Another amazing forward for the Eagles, who brought a ton of speed for the Eagles offense and again attacked the net and produced some very nice goals in his career.

#18: Mike Koveleski- This year's captain. A complete player for the Eagles both offensively and defensively.

#33: Sam Horton- Truly the backbone of the team and one of the better goaltenders that Eastern Michigan has ever had. Sam Horton in games in which the Eagles wouldn't be playing at their top level would almost always bail the Eagles out and just make some amazing saves in goal. A large amount of the success of the Eagles can be directly correlated to Sam Horton. He also kept the Eagles score against PSU "almost respectable"

The Swoop Zone wishes these seniors the best in their future and their careers. You've brought joy to the Fans of EMU and to the Swoop Zone.

I would also like to thank the fans at this moment as well. In the coming months, I will have to make a decision for my future in where I will be attending college. I have already been accepted to the University of Michigan State and also EMU. So pending on my decision, this may have been the last game I have covered live for the Eagles. I really don't want to put too much more into it then that, since I am in the middle of making a tough decision.

Hopefully the Eastern Michigan Eagles will make the National Tournament and have a good showing there. We still have Kent State and the CSCHL Tournament.

I still can't believe it, an article based mostly on a referee and his poor calling of a game. What garbage!
-Kevin

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