Dear Friends,
 
     I was shocked and disturbed when I saw that Minnesota had fallen
from the Top Ten according to WMPL's poll.  Of course, they're still in it
according to the Albany Times Union poll.  But still, I was just struck
by the WMPL poll because in the few short years I've been following college
hockey, I've never seen Minnesota off the list.
 
     First, I'm wondering if the college hockey media or the Twin Cities
press are making any bones about this.  Second, when was the last time
the Gophers were "dogs", i.e., non-contenders for much of the season?
 
     I know the season is yet young and the Gophers are not out of it yet,
but I think it's valid to examine the current stumbling of America's
perrenially great college hockey team.
 
     BTW, congrats to Michigan.  They seem to really have come into their own.
 
Martin Lewison
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"I root for Minnesota, and whoever is playing *Wisconsin*"