First Period:

No Scoring.

Second Period:

EMU: Koester(Burke) 1:34[1-0 EMU]
NU: George(Butyniec) 10:42 [1-1 Tie] * Power Play Goal

Third Period:

EMU: Olgren(Cabaniss, Steffer) :36 [2-1 EMU] *Power Play Goal
EMU: Cabaniss(Kardel, Pinkerton) 7:45 [3-1 EMU]
EMU: Opyd(Drdek) 16:56 [4-1 EMU]

Ann Arbor, Michigan- I suppose when you see EMU come out in their home uniforms and you see Niagara University come out in Eastern's Away Jerseys with their purple socks, you knew that the game would be a little bit out of the ordinary. The Eagles of Eastern Michigan University defeated the Purple Eagles who were wearing Green of Niagara University by the score of 4-1 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube, to push Eastern Michigan to a 2-0 mark in the early going in the 2006-2007 campaign.

The first period of the hockey game established the tone for the rest of the game. This tone, was that it was going to be a defensive battle the entire evening. Both teams had their limited opportunities, and for the most part the period was dead even in terms of the play. Eastern Michigan outshot Niagara 9-7 in the period, and it really did feel that close throughout the first period.

The second period of the game awakened the scoring a bit, as Kelly Koester was able to score the first goal of the night on an assist from Tom Burke, to get the puck past the Niagara Goaltender, only 1:34 into the second period, to give Eastern an early 1-0 lead. Niagara scored their lone goal on the night at the 10:42 mark, when EMU committed two penalties to give Niagara a 5 on 3, and with about 40 seconds left in the second penalty, Billy George streaked across the ice and pounded the puck into the back of the net, as the Eagles defense was unable to stop George, and the score became 1-1, which was the score the two teams took to the locker room. Eastern as was the case in the game vs Michigan State last Friday Night had a power play to open up the third period.

The Eagles took advantage of that early power play just 36 seconds into the opening of the third period, as Dan Olgren scored on a goal that almost looked like it was in slow motion, to give EMU the 2-1 lead. After EMU scored that second goal, you just had this feeling that was all that EMU would end up needing for the rest of the game. The Eagles however, did add another goal 7 minutes later from Josh Cabaniss to jump the lead up to 3-1. The scoring concluded at the 16:56 mark when for one of the rare opportunities in the game, a transition game could be played. A ton of space was available across the ice, and the Eagles took complete advantage of it on a goal from Matt Opyd, to end the game with the final score of 4-1.

You probably have noticed that the descriptions of the game are relatively brief compared to that of some of the other recaps that I have written, and to be frank it was a product of the style of the hockey game that you had tonight. Niagara, basically played in a defensive bunker for large periods of the time, really disrupting any rhythm from developing at all in the game, and Eastern did the same thing. It was a tight, defensive battle with no real transition game as both teams got back into defensive position very soundly and very quickly. Admittedly, it was one of those games that if you were watching it on television, you wouldn't be missing a ton on the ice, but then the moment you turn back, you would have missed the one goal that was scored. Honestly, there were moments in the third period where I even had problems staying awake. Ultimately though, style points are irrelevant when it comes down to the score, and the EMU Eagles came out on the right end of a 4-1 decision.

Niagara University, looked like a team in my opinion that didn't have a ton of firepower offensively and were playing the game to win it 1-0, or 2-1, and for a long while in this game, it looked as if Niagara was going to get their wish. They did have their opportunities offensively, but they were extremely selective about when they would take a chance. We should also give credit as well though to the Niagara goaltender who did an excellent job disrupting the rhythm of the game as well, by freezing the puck whenever he got an opportunity. I admit it was a bit odd seeing Niagara playing in the EMU Road Jerseys due to an issue with their bus and their uniforms. If I had to relate Niagara to any other team I have seen the Eagles play, I would say that Niagara reminds me a bit of a poor-man's Ohio. In other words, a very defensive mindset, and just hoping to take advantage of the few opportunities that they do get along the way.

Flipping the script from the Purple Eagles to the Eastern Eagles, I thought Eastern played an excellent fundamental defensive game of hockey tonight, and they took advantage of the opportunities that they were given. Again, everything just seemed out of sync, out of rhythm, so it's tough to really say whether or not the Eagles played extremely well tonight or not. 

Bottom Line though, three months from now when we look back on this game, we'll take a look at the score of 4-1, and note that it is a win. As they say, a Win is a Win, no matter how it looks.

Looking Ahead:
The Eagles remain in the friendly confines of the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in a battle of Michigan Education schools, as Grand Valley State comes to town for a 7:45 PM Face-off at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. It is important to note that Grand Valley State last week defeated Western Michigan's CSCHL Team, so it should be an interesting affair.

After tomorrow night's game, the Eagles will prepare for a couple of late night games out in New York, where they will play at Niagara University on Friday Night, and will travel to Buffalo on Saturday Night. For those of you EMU fans who are making the trip out to Lewiston, New York, I will make one recommendation. Get a ton of sleep, and remember that caffeine is your friend. EMU's game vs Niagara starts at 9:15 PM at the Dwyer Ice Arena. Saturday Night's game vs Buffalo at the Amherst Pepsi Center in Amherst, NY starts at the much earlier time of 8:25 PM. 

Until Next Time, GO GREEN!
-Kevin