Team matters are best left within the team. The coaching staff is best
qualified to handle those matters but these kids come to play in Orono and
become a big part of the best show in town. That makes them public figures.
I'm sure Shawn wishes that he did not have to have his illness aired in
public, he also realizes that we all care about him and the team. Kids will
be kids and thay make mistakes. I for one would not like having my days in
Orono:) scrutinized by the local news. I believe the dedicated fans of
Maine hockey want to be informed but understand that the Coaching staff
will handle the problems. Thats my .02 cents for what it is worth.
  Sheilds and McVicar have both been looked at by NCAA and NCAA determined
them to be ineligible for certain reasons. I have no problem with that as
long as they enforce these rules across the board.In Colins case I think
they are punishing the kid for futhering his education but... One has to
wonder if they enforce these rules across the board when one reads that the
NCAA thought that UMinnesota had the worst violatins in 20 years yet they
are still able to participate in tournaments.
 I haven't seen much talk about the Merrimack Game. I thought the team
looked the best I have seen this year. AJ Begg looks to be over his ankle
sprain, he was all over Merrimcacks top line.  He was extremely physical
all game but at the end of the first period he had a crushing hit, the
Merrimack forward crumpled like a rag doll. Awesome!.
 Brendan Donovan continues to impress me, he is fun to watch.He gets right
in every battle on the ice he can find. great addition to the first line.
The alleged forth line with Clauson, Shaneberger and Mantenudo(sp?) is
doing a good job of punishing the opposing teams in the corners.Lots of
energy.
 Francis Nault looked good too. He had a hit in center ice where he bounced
off a Merrimack player. A summer of weight training will help him but he
certainly made a believer out of me. Maybe I should be used to these
freshman coming to Orono and making an impact but Grant continues his magic
of bringing in good players.
 One bad point in the Merrimack games was turnovers. The Maine D made way
to many cross ice passes in Defensive zone for my liking. If they do that
against BC I'm afraid they will make Maine pay. Wish I was going to Lowell
this weekend but I have to settle for the radio friday night. I'll be there
in spirit:)

   Go Blue

                      Jon


 At 01:33 PM 11/15/00 -0500, you wrote:
>[log in to unmask],.Internet writes:
>>I have learned in the last two days that our goalie of the future(?) Rob
>>McVicar is leaving as a result of an NC$$ decision and that Cliff Loya
>>has
>>been suspended for an off ice incident for two games.  I do not know how
>>valid either situation is as it has not been reported here.  I am also
>>awaiting my October issue of the Friends newsletter which I hope will
>>shed
>>some light on the details behind the Colin Shields ruling.
>
>>I know others who are watching this list like to knock Maine, but let's
>>not
>>halt the dissemination of information on all matters.  There are a great
>>many of us who like to stay informed as we look forward to seeing the
>>team
>>on the road.  I just want the latest info
>
>But, Bob, aren't there some things that are simply team or individual
>business?  Not ALL things warrant discussion in this folder.
>
>Yes, Rob McVicar left the team because he was not able to play due to
>his junior involvement.  That's been in the pipeline for some time and
>has been discussed here.  What we all figured would happen seems to
>have happened.  His junior involvement prevented him from taking a
>university position.
>
>As I understand it, Colin Shields' decision has been appealed -- the
>NCAA considers him a transfer student, even though he was enrolled only
>at a community college while playing US junior in Cleveland.  It's not
>like he came here from Michigan State or any other D-I school that has
>hockey.  There isn't a college or university in Cleveland with a hockey
>program to my knowledge.  Bottom line, it seems -- he was trying to
>keep up with his education and is being penalized for that.
>
>If Cliff Loya is suspended for "violation of team rules", which is the
>usual UMaine way of expressing it, why is the reason anyone else's
>business?  Being an avid Maine hockey backer as you have been for years
>doesn't mean that personal individual and team business needs to be
>hustled right onto the Maine Hockey List.  Whatever Cliff might or
>might not have done is personal and should stay that way.  These are
>college students and they are going to do things not unlike things we
>did when we were younger. Mine weren't publicized; doubt that yours
>were -- why should the athletes' rights to privacy be trampled?
>
>Just my opinion, Bob.  We've known each other for years and I felt I
>could write this way with no insult intended.  There just may be some
>dirty laundry that needs to be washed -- but not hung out to dry in a
>public forum.  I expect this may be the case with Loya.  We all know he
>won't be playing while he serves a suspension for violation of team
>rules -- that's all we need to know, IMHO.
>
>Nonni
>
>
>
>
>
>
>May also be reached at ... [log in to unmask]
>