Great Lakes Invitational 2008

On Sunday, Merri Su and I met up with Jay and Nate to see the finals of the Great Lakes Invitational collegiate hockey tournament. The University of Michigan earned a spot in the finals against in state rival, Michigan State University.

Jay and I were roommates in college my sophomore year. It was his senior year and he had hockey season tickets. I was able to go to a few games with Jay that year and he taught me the traditions of Michigan hockey at Yost arena (the best college hockey arena in the country, for what it's worth). It was fitting that I was able to enjoy Michigan hockey for the first time in over 3 years with Jay.


While Michigan is the reigning GLI champions, they don't often fair well in this tournament. Unfortunately, the nineteen and under World Junior Championship Tournament is played during the same time as the GLI every year. Since Michigan recruits so well, half of their best players are always absent from the GLI since they are chosen to play for the Canadian or USA hockey teams for the World Junior Championships. Three of Michigan's best players were missing this year.

No matter, Michigan was still the most talented team at the GLI tournament this year, and they showed it. They beat Michigan Tech, the host of the tournament, by a score of 5 to 0. (Little known fact, Michigan is a co-host of the tournament.) That earned them a spot in the finals against MSU. Lucky for us fans, It wasn't a challenge.

Congratulations Michigan, the 2008 GLI champions. I hope this inspires the team and they have a fantastic second half to their season. They'll need it if they want to compete for a national championship.

PS - I cheered for the MSU players that won various tournament awards and I cheered for their team when they accepted the runners-up trophy. Shame on the U of M fans that booed. We're better than that. More importantly, they're better than that and they deserve your applause. Hockey has a long tradition of exceptional sportsmanship. In fact, the following picture embodies what playoff hockey is really about. While fighting is a part of hockey, so is congratulating your opponent for a game well played.