Whereas the NCAA allows the first on-ice practice this year on October 2,
the University of Maine will have its eighth (?) annual Midnight Madness
hockey practice this Sunday night/Monday morning.
 
If this year's routine follows that of past years, here's the deal.  There
will be a cheering contest among dorms/frats/sororities, complete with
free munchies.  Its open to the public, and usually 2000-2500 show up
(even more when it's on a Saturday night).
 
At 12:00:01, the Maine players hit the ice.  Last year, American players
were in white, Canadian & European players in blue (about a 50/50 mix).
The two teams have a shootout, with each player introduced before his
shot.  Last year, Team Canada trounced Team USA.  (Overheard: "Well,
THAT doesn't bode well for us this year, does it?"  Stupid ditz.)
Usually, people start to file out after the shootout, but some stick
around for the short practice.
 
I was wondering, what other schools have a midnight madness?  Surely,
we can't be the only hockey school out there.  Others?
 
Also overheard last year, said to UM President Fred Hutchinson:
"You know what would be just our luck?  Someone from the NCAA in the
stands with a slow watch!"
+====================================================================+
      |\      Jim Baines    [log in to unmask]         M    M
      |/      Bangor, Maine, U.S.A.                        MM  MM
    \ |\      University of Maine Class of 1989            M MM M
     \|/      GO BLACK BEARS!                              M    M
 
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