Ok, so I'm sure this post will be broken down and I will be called a troller and everything else in the book, but here goes. As a UK fan who was at the game last night, I have a few oberservations and comments.
First of all, I agree, the officiating was putrid throughout the game. The inconsistency that the refs showed last night is inexcusable at any level, let alone in a game like the one last night. Secondly, I think you all are getting an AWFUL rap for the actions of literally 3 or 4 individuals. The vast majority of fans I encountered were polite and gracious, with the exception of a few students after the game. I would think the majority of you all can agree with me that throwing stuff is never ok, but I would say that those actions are in no way in indicative of your fanbase. I agree that your fans have a reason to be upset, because there were 3 calls in OT alone that could have EASILY gone against us (wall goaltend, wall "and1", patterson charge), but that game was poorly called all the way around.
As a rabid UK fan and alum, I hate that anyone would have a negative view of our fanbase or players, as I'm sure you all do as well. I have no doubt that Cousins recieved inflammitory messages, but doubt seriously that any were malicious and even he was taking it all in stride until the media got hold of it. In reality, he's an 18 yr old kid who is actually a nice guy in real life, but gets a bad rep from a couple of unfortunate incidents.
Im sure this message does little to nothing to change the way anyone feels, but I just wanted to let you all know that the atmosphere I encountered last night was one of the best I have EVER been around (Rupp included) and the actions of a few people in the arena dont change that for me. I hope that this doesnt fall on deaf ears because I am a UK fan. Dont judge all UK fans by the actions and comments of a few of the ignorant minority, most of us are actually pretty ok, as I can attest to now for MSU fans again. Thanks for reading, thanks for a great game and a great experience. Your team played their asses off, and have nothing to be upset about today.
First of all, I agree, the officiating was putrid throughout the game. The inconsistency that the refs showed last night is inexcusable at any level, let alone in a game like the one last night. Secondly, I think you all are getting an AWFUL rap for the actions of literally 3 or 4 individuals. The vast majority of fans I encountered were polite and gracious, with the exception of a few students after the game. I would think the majority of you all can agree with me that throwing stuff is never ok, but I would say that those actions are in no way in indicative of your fanbase. I agree that your fans have a reason to be upset, because there were 3 calls in OT alone that could have EASILY gone against us (wall goaltend, wall "and1", patterson charge), but that game was poorly called all the way around.
As a rabid UK fan and alum, I hate that anyone would have a negative view of our fanbase or players, as I'm sure you all do as well. I have no doubt that Cousins recieved inflammitory messages, but doubt seriously that any were malicious and even he was taking it all in stride until the media got hold of it. In reality, he's an 18 yr old kid who is actually a nice guy in real life, but gets a bad rep from a couple of unfortunate incidents.
Im sure this message does little to nothing to change the way anyone feels, but I just wanted to let you all know that the atmosphere I encountered last night was one of the best I have EVER been around (Rupp included) and the actions of a few people in the arena dont change that for me. I hope that this doesnt fall on deaf ears because I am a UK fan. Dont judge all UK fans by the actions and comments of a few of the ignorant minority, most of us are actually pretty ok, as I can attest to now for MSU fans again. Thanks for reading, thanks for a great game and a great experience. Your team played their asses off, and have nothing to be upset about today.
