Others may have the same question, so I answer it on the list:
 
>>         As a result of the UM game being moved up to what was
>> originally an off weekend, the Falcons' on-ice practice sessions now
>> will commence Monday, Oct. 9 instead of Monday, Oct. 2.
>
>Keith -
>
>       Am I confused?  A change in schedule for December moves the on-ice
>practice date back a week and leaves only four ice sessions prior to the start
>of the season?
>
>       1)  Why does December affect a change in October?
>       2)  Why would anyone cut out a week of pre-season ice time?
>
>This just doesn't make sense to me.  Any insight?
 
1)
If you take an ENTIRE WEEK off during the regular season (no games,
not even practices), then you can start practicing a week earlier.
NCAA rule.
 
I believe you can actually do this twice, to start 2 weeks earlier.
One of these weeks off has to be during a holiday period. Almost everyone
takes a week off around Christmas time. Most teams also take some
other week off. BG has no other weeks off, so it will start a week
later than most other teams.
 
 
2)
Coach Powers said he would NOT have done this if the first game of
the season was a league contest (like the MSU game). I bet he wouldn't
have done it if the first game was a Division I, nonleague contest, either.
 
But since BG has 2 Canadian schools first on its schedule, it can afford
less practice time. These games are usually BGSU blowouts where
everyone plays and lines are juggled. Plus, if BG loses, it will not
affect their chances of making the NCAA tournament.
 
BG might actually be in better shape than MSU on October 21st; while
BGSU is "practising" versus Canadian teams, MSU is practicing against itself.
 
Also, sometimes players complain that the practice season is actually
TOO LONG; they want to get out there and hit someone. (^:
 
 
 
So, add in the lure of playing in Vegas, and moving a Michigan game
to a (profitable) Saturday night when more students will be on campus,
the decision makes a lot of sense.
 
 
 
Keith