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Ann Arbor, MI-  The Eastern Michigan Hockey Team tonight defeated the DII ACHA Club Hockey Team from Michigan State University tonight by the score of 8-4 at the unusually loud and raucous Ann Arbor Ice Cube. Eight different Eagles scored and the question should be posed. Isn't Spartan a grocery store?

The Eagles came out in this game flying, really controlling the play and playing some of the best defense that the Eagles have ever really played. They were consistently on the Spartans puck handlers and were controlling the neutral zone throughout the period. However, a key point in the game was approximately 10 minutes in when Freshman Goaltender Eric Williams stopped a breakaway from a MSU player that would of started the scoring and could of turned this game into a much different tone. However, just a couple minutes later freshman Dan Olgren scored his first goal as an Eagle and the first goal of Eastern Michigan's season. The Eagles then swarmed the Spartans and dominated much of the period along the boards as well. Two more goals were scored, the second by Freshman Mike Opyd and the third by Senior Ryan Thompson shorthanded on a turnover by a MSU defenseman trying to shoot it in on our goalie. The EMU crowd was immensely happy while the Michigan State crowd was a bit toned down.

The second period began with the Eagles scoring a fourth goal scored by Josh Barron who for the night was constantly flying to the MSU net and the Eagles looked confident as they were ahead 4-0. However, the game turned just a little as Michigan State scored a breakaway goal that Williams could not stop. The Spartans second goal was similarly done as the Spartans used pin point passing to make the game 4-2 and the Spartans fans had something to cheer about. However, unlike in the past the Eagles did not fold and continued to play strong. The Eagles then scored two goals to again take control of the game, one by freshman Bryan Young and the sixth by Derek Wilson on a beautiful play that sent the Spartans into the locker room down 4.

The third period is when things got yet again a tad bit interesting for the Eagles. The Spartans dominated the first half of the period putting a lot of pressure on the Eagles defense and were really controlling the puck rather well and scored two goals to really put the pressure back on the Eagles. However, with the crowd really driving the inspired Eagles the Eagles remained their composure and scored their seventh goal on a phenomenal effort from Charlie Jones. He was in front of the Spartans net literally lying on the ice and had enough strength to get the puck lifted over the Spartan Goalie's head. With 9.2 seconds left the Eagles added their eight goal by their eight different player Nate Putek on a great shot from the blue line that the Spartan goalie could do nothing with.

To begin I must compliment the Michigan State Spartans, they started off rather slow but never gave up and fought back in the second and third period to make the game extremely entertaining. The Spartans also have some players on their team that can really control the puck and deke very well and were also strong enough to maintain the puck while two Eagles were trying to get to the puck at times. There are some solid players on this team and some great fans, I think State will have some success in DII but they seemed to want to go for the home run ball every time by trying for a breakaway throughout the game. 

Now for the Eagles.. The Eagles crowd was a factor!! It amazed me, I'd say a group of 40 students at least showed up for the game and created an atmosphere that was rarely seen at the Cube. In my opinion, it enthused everyone in the crowd and enthused the Eastern hockey players. Defensively, the Eagles looked sound except for a few minor lapses such as the Breakaway that MSU scored their first goal on and a few lackadaisical passes in their own zone. Offensively though, the balance was incredible with eight different Eagles scoring. That shows a lot of promise when we can get that many different people capable of scoring. 

On the front page(until my internet went down) I was going to emphasize three points and the Eagles performed on all three. I said that we needed to watch if the Eagles were going to play like a team and they did. I said that we needed to watch the defense has it was the key for the Eagles doing really well.. Overall, a solid effort. And lastly, the goaltending.. Outstanding work from Freshman Josh Williams. The goals were really not his fault at all, it was beautiful play from MSU.

For a first game the Eagles looked great. However, as should be expected the passing wasn't as crisp as it should of been and their puck control was weak at times as well. However, the Eagles really looked energetic and much faster than they did last year. This game excited the crowd and should excite the Eastern Michigan nation for a good season to come.   

Looking Ahead: 
The Eagles tomorrow night play the University of Central Michigan at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube at 7:30 PM. If you're not going to the Maryland vs EMU football game at Rynearson go to this! It'll be another great game.

The Eagles then go to Ames, Iowa for two CSCHL games the next weekend.

The Eagles are 1-0 and are looking good so far. With an enthusiastic grin on my face and a little bit of gloating to my friends up at MSU; until next time, GO GREEN!

A
Reasoning: We looked very good tonight, the balance was great and the Eagles really took it to the Spartans offensively. The Eagles did look a lot better as a team instead of a bunch of individuals trying to pad their own stats. I thought that the Eagles offense played extremely well for a first game, improvements can definitely be made but for an opening... too great and too entertaining. :)

A-
Reasoning: The defense looked pretty good except for a few incidents. The breakaway and the MSU goals really made the EMU defense look foolish. Michigan State was able to pin-point pass against the Eagles almost too easily at times. Overall though, The Eagles did a great job sacrificing themselves blocking a good number of shots from going through to Williams. They played admirable. With some more work though and improvement this will be a solid set of players.

B
Eagles gave up a power play goal and scored a Shorthanded goal. Yeah, it's a B. It won't hurt the average. :)

A
Pretty good for a Freshman. Josh Williams performed pretty well.

A!!
Reasoning: The Eagles in front of a wonderful crowd played an outstanding opener. A ton better than that of last year's game against CMU. The Eagles proved to me that I made the correct choice and went to a university worthy of my stature and worthy of my coverage on this webpage. :) Also as the first EMU game that I went to as a student of the University, I'm impressed. Let's continue to ride this wave and continue to bring the intensity and crowd that we did tonight into the games!

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