There's nothing like 7 hours of hockey to start the weekend. Notes from yesterday's Hockey East semifinals at the Fleet Center:

UNH 5, UMass 4 I'd usually not bust myself to get in for the early game unless BU was playing in it. Yesterday served as the exception, as I had to see the debut of UMass in the Hockey East semis. There's usually one "mystery" team in the semis in place of BU, BC, UNH, or Maine, so much the better that it was the Minutemen.

I don't have Cooch's obvious geographical tie to Our State University (or is that Our Commonwealth's University?), but as a lifelong Masshole I have some level of affinity, mostly related to (a) watching the system get jerked around by successive governors, and (b) rooting for their sports teams when it suits me. Yesterday would be one of those days.

UNH had two clear opportunities to take the game over at 2-0 and 4-2, but in both cases let UMass back in. That was odd, as for most of the game UMass had little opportunity in the UNH zone, getting shots but usually nothing of great quality. But they'd find the range, especially with the two goals to tie it back up at 4 (scored 10 seconds apart). Sadly, UNH proved too powerful in the end.

Of course, part of my interest in this game was the idea that we'd be better off playing UMass in the final rather than UNH. The idea that UMass would have gotten there by taking out Maine and UNH, making them perhaps the hottest team in the country? Why dwell on that?

I should also note that the UMass coach is Don "Toot" Cahoon, a Jack Parker protege. So they get extra props there.

With this result, UMass is pretty much done for the year with a 19-17-1 record. They only have two seniors, so don't be surprised if they're back here next year.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY 6, bc 5 (2OT) Apparently, we just need to play all our games against BC in the Fleet Center.

This was not one for the highlight reel. For much of the game, BU looked like it was playing with sticks they carved themselves and skates using sharpened animal bone for blades. It was not pretty. Once again, the one thing standing between a bad loss and an ugly win was Sean Fields, who gave up 5 goals but still had a save percentage over 90. BC put 51 shots on net, outshooting BU in all periods. They had more shots in regulation than BU had in all 85 minutes of play.

Thankfully, Matti Kaltiainen was as shaky as Fields was strong. He let up a softie within the first minute, and didn't look much more comfortable for the rest of the game.

And there was an economy-sized dose of luck involved, as BC hit posts at least twice and there were a few bang-bang plays where they misfired on the second bang. Otherwise, this things ends up 8-5 or so on the bad end.

I suppose I should just be happy that we didn't get a Dartmouth-Colegate type game.

This tournament is always a little tough for BU as the students are always on break. One hopes that more will be on hand tonight, but I fear a larger and more partisan UNH crowd.

Other stuff There's a pigeon living in the Fleet Center. According to one of the concessions guys, it appeared about a week ago and has taken up residence in the space inside the scoreboard. I saw it before the first game, but it was most visible in overtime.

We had this woman sitting in the row behind us who, whenever BU had the puck in the BC zone, would scream "Shoooooot!" Didn't matter what the circumstances were. One on four? Shoooot! Skater has his back to the net? Shoooooot! The puck is scooting across the ice during a pass? Shooooooooooooot!

Of course, I shouldn't mock her passion. I can, however, mock her jacket with the Mona Lisa on the back. Your jacket is ugly! Ha!

My hope was that she'd hook up either with the troll-like UNH fan who spent most of both games screaming in what I took to be Elvish. (I know, trolls don't speak Elvish, go with me here) or the other guy in the row behind us who yelled "Attack!" whenever we took back the puck in the third period. Also regardless of circumstances. Seems like a match made in, well, maybe not heaven.

For being in Boston, you think the Fleet would sell fish at their concession stands during Lent.