The ECAC Frank Cole is indeed the Hockey East Frank Cole and, despite the
fact that he is barely 40, has been doing college hockey games for over 15
years.  He's a native of Lynn, MA (my home town), played college hockey at
St. Anselm's, Manchester, NH and has been involved in refereering for almost
20 years.    Although no one seems to want to give praise to any official, I
think most observers would agree he is the best of the lot in the East.  The
NCAA obviously agrees since,  I believe, he has reffed 3 or 4 NCAA finals,
including last year's.  A couple of years ago, when the NHL refs were on
strike, he did some games in the big leagues as well.  The main thing with
Cole is that he is consistent.  Most coaches and teams know what to expect
when he is on the ice, especially when paired with his regular HE partner
Drew Taylor.  And, unlike some refs I see, he is in shape!
 
As for the Pierre Belanger Award, can a HE fan join in and name some one,
actually two, from our league?  Bob Fowkes and Steve McBride have to be the
worst pair since Abbott and Costello.  Not only do they think that they are
the show, but they can't even get up and down the ice!  A couple of weeks ago
they reffed a game at the Whittemore Center, huffing and puffing from the
second period on.  Much to my amazement, I turn on the TV the next night and
they're doing the game at UMass-Amherst.  Two Olympic size rinks in 24
hours!?!  Somebody in the league office must hate them.  And, how come they
never do BU games?
 
Greg Ambrose, UNH'72
GO BLUE, may the 2nd season be a charm.
 
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