> As scintillating as Jason's analysis is, I tend to point to a more basic
> cause for the ECAC's "superiority" over HE this year: simple cyclical
> variation.  HE has had a run in attracting the top talent for the past
> five years, now it's the ECAC's turn.  In fact, this isn't as jingoistic
> as it sounds.  In the early years of HE, the ECAC enjoyed a significant
> advantage over HE.  Granted, they didn't play that often, but ECAC teams
> generally came out on top.
 
This is completely incorrect.  Until this year, the ECAC had NEVER had a
winning record vs. HEA.  In fact, it was usually never close.
 
The closest the ECAC has ever come before was 1994-95 --- In that season, it
was 21-21-1 going into the Beanpot -- Harvard needed one of two for the
first-ever .500 season vs. HEA -- but Harvard got swept.
 
In fact, according to the HEA media guide, between 1990-96, the Hockey East's
record vs. the other three major conferences is better than .600 in each case
.. .607 vs. CCHA -- .615 vs. WCHA -- and .623 vs. ECAC
 
Not only has the ECAC never had a "significant" advantage -- it's never had ANY
advantage (until this year).
 
>  HE seems to have made its rise when two of its
> teams, BU and Maine, became perennial powerhouses.  Both have fallen back
> a bit--BU because of graduation and NHL losses, Maine because...you know
> why.
 
Let's not forget Boston College's run of greatness.  No titles, but awesome
teams.
 
> The ECAC in turn finds its fortunes improved since it
> can compete against the Lowell and Providences, it just can't against the
> Maine's and BU's.
 
Actually, BU's record vs. HEA isn't all that great either.  Win over RPI,
losses to SLU, Clarkson, tie vs. Yale.
 
AW
 
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