Some random "Day After" thoughts on the triple OT game vs Quinnipiac last night...
I don't think I've ever heard a name ("Quinnipiac") pronounced so many different ways from the same two announcers over the course of a hockey game. Good lord, they were stumped. Then again, these were the same two who, with the camera fixed on the Quinnipiac bench during a break, mentioned that we were "looking at Jeff Kampersal in a grey overcoat". Never mind that he was surrounded by players on the same bench who were wearing Quinnipiac jerseys......ope! (<--- in a Minnesota accent)
I thought these two teams looked about as evenly matched as any two teams I was able to watch this season. It reminded me of games against Mercyhurst. Both goalies had great games, both defenses did a good job, and both offenses had plenty of great chances to score. It was some fun hockey to watch...and watch...and watch.
I thought the officiating was pretty bad. At least they were bad for both teams and didn't favor either one. I get it that you want NCAA tournament games to play through as much as possible, but there were some pretty blatant penalties getting the silent treatment.
I do wish the NCAA could schedule these regional games to where the winners get a full week off before moving on, so tournament games are played by teams at their best. As it is now, a rested Ohio State is going to get a worn out and beaten-up Quinnipiac who will get one full day of rest after a triple OT game. Hell, a rested LIU could probably give them a run in that scenario.
Last night was the career end for Rene Gangarosa, Izzy Heminger, grad transfers Courtney Correia and Elleri MacKay, and presumably Mallory Uihlein. Penn State does have a couple rookie defenders coming next season, so we'll see what kind of game they bring with them.
All in all, I thought it was a great game between two very evenly matched teams, and a great goalie duel.
