Jacob's post seems to indicate that the original plan was NOT to have a
tournament (Black Bear Classic) this season.  Is that correct?  (i.e.
Poor quality of opponents based on lack of time to schedule it)

Since they've had this tournament under a variety of names over the
years, I find it hard to believe that they decided to add the
tournament last minute.  But I am sure Nonni can tell us for certain.

-Deron


--- Jacob Metzler <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> The Maine Hockey Discussion List <[log in to unmask]> writes:
> >And I agree with those who have
> >written here that we deserve better competition in this tournament.
>
> What no one has mentioned but I read in the BDN was a quote from
> Whitehead which was that they didn't know until "the last minute"
> that the Maverick Stampede was going to be an exempt tourney allowing
> Maine to schedule two more games.  Due to that
> fact it was able to talk Scared Heart and Holy Cross to come up here
> to play one of their league games and then the winner to play Maine
> and they added Dartmouth late as well.
>
> So that's one MAJOR reason it seems that this tourney didn't have
> more "high quality" opponents because all the teams were "last
> minute" attendants.
>
> Does this address the tournament field over the last few years? no
> but does it explain this year's situation.  Yes.
>
> Also mentioned in that article is that Maine likes to incorperate its
> exhibition game into the tourney and other teams don't like to take
> the chance of coming to Maine and then playing an exhibition team.
>
> Other thoughts (in addition to Nonni's) about what may be driving the
> team selection for this tourney.
>
> -Jake