Capital Observations

After watching one of the most thrilling regionals in NCAA hockey tourney history, I guess it was only appropriate that the Frozen Four came down to a similar result. All three games this past weekend were well played and all four teams proved that they belonged. The glass slipper fell off for Bemidji State but not before they acquitted themselves well with a good effort and made Miami work for its victory. BU and Vermont had a classic see-saw battle with great plays made by both teams.

The final was perhaps one of the greatest tournament games in history. Even apart from the amazing comeback made by BU and the overtime, this game was a classic. BU was clearly the more talented team on paper with 13 NHL draft picks on their roster but you could not tell that by watching this game. Both teams looked evenly matched. The play was tough and physical and both teams were flying up and down the ice creating scoring chances and endless excitement for the DC crowd.

During this game, I saw the second most ridiculous save I have seen live when Keiran Millan robbed Justin Mercier on a two-on-one break. Only Scott Clemmensen's robbery on the breakaway in 2001 was better. There were two pipes hit (one for each team). There were pretty goals, ugly goals, and beautiful saves. This is the type of game that makes hockey fans.

The only downside was the outcome. Miami deserved this game. They shut down the BU offense for 59 minutes by playing good disciplined defense and good puck control. They were clearly not intimidated by a team that should have blown them off the ice. And then suddenly, they weren't focused, they were running around in their own end and unable to get a stick on the puck. After BU made it 3-2, Enrico Blasi should have called time out and settled his kids down and get them to dig deep and concentrate on the final 59 seconds. He didn't. They panicked and they paid for it. They collapsed so tight around Reichard that the BU point men were able to move all the way in tight to the circles. It was only a matter of time before BU tied the game up. I saw it coming and I felt Mrs. Pike wilt next to me. I hoped for a miracle that Miami would buck up and pull a Krys Kolanos in OT but they didn't have it in them and a bad deflection sent them home. They are young and well coached and will be great again next year.

As the first Frozen Four I have attended where BC was not there, it certainly was exciting and dramatic and everything a casual hockey fan could have wanted as a finale to a great 2009 postseason. I just wish the Redhawks could have held their cool for 59 more seconds. Congrats to all four teams for making it an exciting weekend.