The following story appeared in this morning's Syracuse Post-Standard: ECAC
MAY CHANGE TOURNEY: In other (the "other" was a story about Jamie Cooke for-
going his senior year at Colgate to sign with the Flyers; I apologize if some
or all of you think that that is more newsworthy than what follows!) college
hockey news, the ECAC is on the verge of making the quarterfinal round of its
tournament a one-game affair.  Currently, the quarterfinal round is a
best 2-out-of-3 series, with the deciding contest a mini-game that immediately
follows game two, if necessary.  Joe Bertagna, executive director of ECAC
hockey, said the league's athletic directors favor the move for two reasons.
First, it brings the league's playoff format in line with the NCAA tournament,
which will also adopt single-game quarterfinals this year.  Second, Bertagna
said the mini-game was unpopular with ECAC coaches.  Under the new plan, the
ECAC quarterfinals would be played on a Saturday night at the site of higher-
seeded teams.  Reaction to the proposal among coaches was mixed.  Clarkson
coach Mark Morris, for instance, thought it would weaken the home-ice edge
earned during the regular season.  "My feelings are how you do from start to
finish are more important than the playoffs anyway," said Morris, whose team
won the ECAC tournament last season. (Personal aside: AAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!)
"Not enough emphasis is placed on the regular season or the league.  It's just
more pressure and fewer games."  But St. Lawrence coach Joe Marsh would like
to see the change.  "If the NCAA goes to single elimination, we should," he
said.  "To make more of a national sport, it should be a consistant thing
across the board."--End of article.--
My first reaction is to agree with Coach Morris, even though I don't care too
much for the mini-game. However, it *still* results in a best 2-of-3 situation,
notwithstanding the fact that the third "game" isn't a real one.  Off-the-cuff,
I can't agree that what the NCAA says is necessarily the best way to go.  Call
me jaded, but I just can't accept on blind faith anymore...
Anyhow, it will all sort out somehow; good luck to Jamie Cook--that will take
some of the sting out of "losing" Kent Manderville and Dan Ratushney to the
pros/national teams or wherever--and I can't take much more of Summer!!  Start
the season!
TTFN,  George Taber.