Thanks to all those members of the cognescenti who privately
educated me about the "unwritten rules" of NCAA bids:-):-)   Now I'd like to
make a point myself.
 
        That sound we just heard yesterday quite likely was the thud of the
ECAC's "courtesy second bid" hitting the floor in the event of a Clarkson
win in Placid.   It's called a q-u-i-d p-r-o q-u-o,  folks.   Either the
ECAC sold the bid for Clarkson's possible bye (I think unlikely),  or the
ECAC extracted this arrangement under pressure from others to give up the
2nd bid on the conference call (much more likely).   A third possibility
is that everyone involved thought it was a good idea.   Despite the comments
here,  that is possible too.
 
        On balance,  I think this arrangement is the lessor of two evils.
It certainly motivates Clarkson not to rest its better players in Placid.
But then again,  I went to Tech.
 
        Btw,  I seriously doubt that if this scenario does indeed play out
the way we expect,  that Clarkson will be forced out west.   Two years
ago they owned the building in Worcestor with all their fans.
 
        -- Dick Tuthill