Erik,

Thanks for opening that can or worms, and for not letting sleeping dogs lie.

There is more to same-state location (all but UM vs. UW) or same conference
membership (all but UAA vs UAF, yes UAF not UA) to make a rivalry. There is
history and tradition. Maybe Clarkson stole St. Lawrence's cow (leaving them
only with the bell) or maybe St. Lawrence reprogrammed the Clarkston arena
scoreboard to read "Clarkson Good Night". You need these stories, silliness,
and hatred to make a good rivalry. BU vs BC and MSU vs UM seem to have that
extra edge that make a real rivalry. I have not seen that edge in UW vs UM
but I do not know enough about CC vs DU.

But it is the stories that make the rivalry, the history and the tradition.
A good brawl -- on the ice or in the stands -- always helps.

Nathan Hampton


On 12/7/06 11:44 AM, "Erik Biever" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Sara M. Fagan wrote:
>> In the greatest rivalry in college hockey, Clarkson wins 3-1.
> 
> I remember this assertion from last season. I'm willing to accept that
> Clarkson 
> vs St Lawrence is the greatest rivalry in New York college hockey (though RPI
> and Union fans might quibble), but what makes it greater than, say:
> 
> BU vs BC?
> Minnesota vs Wisconsin?
> Michigan vs Michigan State?
> CC vs Denver?
> Anchorage vs Fairbanks?
> 
> 
> -- Erik