-- [ From: Adam Wodon * EMC.Ver #2.10P ] --
 
> All this pre-tournament ECAC bashing has got me down.
 
Me too -- I mean, so what if the ECAC has the worst out-of-conference
record -- is that any reason to put it down.  No one's claiming it's
the best conference, but it's still good, fun hockey. Remember, we're
in this together, the more the merrier, etc... If it ever got to the
point where the Ivy League teams couldn't compete AT ALL (like in
football), then I would consider that a great loss for all of hockey.
 
> I've compiled the following 12 reasons why I love the ECAC
> (only 10 of which make the playoffs):
 
Very Cute.
 
 
> 1) Lane MacDonald
>
> If anyone in college hockey ever better represented the
> values of Hobey Baker, I have yet to meet him. Bright,
> articulate, compassionate and a great hockey player. A
> true sportsman who played hard, never backed down from
> anyone and sacrificed himself (and his health) for his
> teammates.
 
Ain't that the truth --- I was absolutely blown away by the sincere
niceness of this guy. Here's a guy with every right to be bitter about
how his career ended, and he's just great to be around.  IF there ever
should be a spokesman for college hockey, he's it.
 
> 2) Canton-Potsdam
>
> Two towns in the middle of nowhere with (seemingly)
> nothing better to do on Friday and Saturday nights then
> root like crazy for their college hockey teams.
(snip)
 
Not seemingly ... definitely <G>!
 
I agree big time -- Most people dread that trip, and I enjoy it.  I
went to college in Ithaca, and saw many a great Cornell-SLU-Clarkson
game.  I also lived in the Clarkson area for a few months after
graduating.  It's two great buildings, with great traditions.  The
buildings embody the close-knit nature of college hockey.
 
> 5) Steve Martins, Eric Perrin, Kyle McDonough, John
> Messuri, Mike Ross
>
> Where else do great 5-9 players go? Heck, Clarkson had a
> whole line that went by the name '5-9' last year (Todd
> White, Kevin Murphy & Dave Seitz). I love little guys who
> can play
 
As the biggest Cliff Ronning fan in the world, I agree again.  How
'bout Joe Dragon, Doug Derraugh? 'Course I like the big hitters, too.
 
> 7) The coaches
>
> You really can't appreciate what great guys they are until
> you have spent time speaking with them. Anyone who talked
> with Tim Taylor for 5 minutes couldn't possibly miss how
> much the game means to him.
 
Tim Taylor, greatest guy in the world (after Lane McDonald). It's a
shame how things have gone for him recently, but he's still the same
class act.
 
> Bob Gaudet and Don Cahoon are so devoted to their players
> that they will each probably live shorter lives because of
> it.
 
That was no more true than this week.
 
> I think that Mike Shafer and Joe Marsh could get their
> players to walk through glass if they wanted. Really, a
> tremendous group of people.
 
I'll add Don Vaughn to this group - a tremendous guy who I have a ton
of respect for.
 
> 10) Small rinks
>
> I'm not a big Conte Forum fan. I like to be close to the
> action, hear the collisions and see the little things like
> how a player tapes his stick.
 
Lynah, Lynah, Lynah.
 
Geoff left out my favorite thing - and that is the "city" of Ithaca,
which happens to be my favorite place on Earth. Which is why I'm headed
there for Cornell/Colgate (4 hrs. away) as we speak.
 
Bye.
 
AW
 
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