Well, if Maine's "system" is to set lines solely because players are in the
same year in class, and not by "whose skills fit together to make the best
linemates" without regard to what year the players have advanced
academically, perhaps it's time to change our system.  

Why would hockey terms like "checking line" and "speed line" or "power play
unit" exist, while in the mind of a certain coach, he'd rather employ a
"second-year-player line" ?

As Teddy showed us last year, some freshmen have skills way beyond those
built up by seniors on the same team.  Linemates sometimes click due to
intangibles from off the ice, having nothing to do with being all together
in the same graduation class.   

On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:47:34 -0800, Deron Treadwell <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>
>Michigan has 9 National Championships.
>
>Minnesota has 5 National Championships (including a couple years we all
might remember 2002 and 2003).
>
>I don't think we are in any position to start taking shots at Michigan and
Minnesota when we have 8 wins to our credit.  Find me the last time Michigan
and Minnesota failed to win 10 games and won ONE (count them) league game at
home.
>
>I don't think the original post was offbase at all.
>
>-Deron
>
>

>
>Bill Dewkett <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>An interesting note about "young team". Watching Michigan play Lake
>Superior after listening to the heartbreaking losses, an interesting
>statistic was mentioned...Michigan's freshman group has scored 123 points so
>far this season. Our freshman group has garnered 33 points. Are we falling
>down in the recruiting aspects?.
>
>
>