Yes, it's true, and sighs of relief are being heard all over
the East. Among the reasons given for the axing of the silly
two 25-minute period game plan was "complaints from season ticket
holders [and fans]". Thanks for your input! It's good to
find out that they listen. Also, the league was concerned that
1) while it only wanted to conduct the experiment at least
through December and then evaluate the results (and possibly
return to the standard game plan), the NCAA might have forced HE
to maintain the two-period plan for the remainder of the season;
2) HE teams might suffer in the NCAA selection committee's
awarding of at-large bids in March. These three factors were
listed as the main reasons that the eight athletic directors
decided by conference call last Thursday to shoot down the move
to two periods.
The change was originally made in May when the coaches held a
vote on the proposal at their convention, and the proposal
passed by a 5-3 vote - and the three dissenting coaches then
decided to make it a unanimous vote. The AD's backed the
coaches at the time, but apparently after some thought and
receiving negative feedback on the idea, they decided to
turn thumbs down.
By the way, at the league's annual "Jamboree/Faceoff Night"
on Saturday, October 20th, the four exhibitions will most
likely be played as two 25-minute periods each, so don't
panic and think that the league has changed its mind again.
That night, Merrimack will meet Lowell at 6:00 and Northeastern
will play Providence at 8:00, both games at Providence; and
at Boston University, BU, BC, Maine, and New Hampshire will
play. I don't know the matchups for the two games at BU yet.
- mike
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