Interesting hockey evening. Norwich and P'burgh were essentially playing not to lose. Emery was emphasizing defense first, and the Cards undoing was two defensive lapses in which they gave away the puck. On to the main event.
During the 1st, EC outhustled and outmuscled the Panthers to take the lead. A scramble off a rebound, a screened slap-pass from the point and a beautiful one-timer Consorti to McClean from the left side of the high slot.
Most likely due to the sheet size, after the first, both teams changed lines frequently, and would settle for a single rush, then switch up. The first M'bury goal was a bad line change, and a fatigued group couldn't get to tht bench quickly enough.
Middlebury used a pretty intense 2-2-1 forecheck which gave EC fits at times clearing the puck. The Panthers shut down both boards, so the Eagles began clearing the puck up the middle, which is dangerous and probably what Beany wanted. Fortunately the D never coughed it up.
EC survived a 3x5 and a bizarre goalie equipment malfunction during which both teams called timesout, DeMelo came in briefly, also had "trouble" with his pads, and eventually took long enough for Darren to get his issues sorted out.
Very few penalties, refs did a great job, and St Louis looks exactly like Jerry Stiller, the father-in-law on the King of Queens. Middlebury crowd is the quietest I've ever heard, or perhaps they're not yet accustomed to getting whipped on their own ice.
Solid job all night by all four lines. No gafs, nothing outstanding ... just a great job of mucking in the corners, finishing checks, and back-checking for a full 60 minutes. Middlebury is a talented squad, and really ties up sticks well.
Here's hoping tonight is as uneventful ;<)
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not a word in today's paper about tonight's game.