Thoughts
-We didn't cope well to the ice surface at all. Tons of terrible bounces, and you can't play overly cute when thats a factor.
-I thought we didn't show any rust, and really had a good first ten minutes of the game. I thought it was more of us on the gas pedal than them not skating. Goal early always helps.
-I'd say we passed up shooting the puck easily 10-15 times. Our pp overpassed a ton.
-Coaches limited #18's minutes quite a bit late in the game. Fighting it a bit the past few games. He's so much better when he keeps it simple.
-Our goalie played better than their goalie did. Really locked in performance for him.
-Regardless of what their 8th place finish says, that team was playing their best hockey of the year and won 4 backs against the wall games in a row to make the NCAA's. They probably deserved a better fate then they got tonight.
An ugly win beats any loss. Especially in the NCAA tournament.