It is true that Illinois@Chicago (UIC) is not a top Division I team, but
there still is no point in comparing club hockey with NCAA Div. I
hockey, as stated earlier.  They are both at separate levels, and should be
enjoyed as such.  It is indeed true that Illinois@Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)
had a terrific ACHA team last year, I saw them play in person downstate.
 
The exhibition game between the Flames and the Fighting Illini, was
purely that, exhibition.  Larry Pedrie (UIC head coach) did not even suit
up 3 or 4 of his top players, this according to the Chicago Flame.  Also,
the goalie that started and played approx. 33 minutes, Sean Carter, had
only played approx. 24 minutes in total in the previous 2 seasons at
UIC.  And yet, he did an admirable job.  He is the third goalie.  And as
mentioned, many of the Flames' skaters were on the ice for the first time
at the collegiate level.  (See Jeff Weiss' post on INFO-HOCKEY-L about
this.)
 
All in all, I believe the game would have been even more lopsided if UIC
had been at full strength.  A top Div. I school would have inflicted even
more damage.  My guess would be that Pedrie was saving the team's
strength for the Div. I opening series at Air Force 2 days later.
 
I hope that UIUC will eventually have a Div. I hockey program, as many
Big Ten schools already do.  The only problem is $.  I love both UofI
schools, and would love to see a rivalry someday.  Best of luck to both
the Illini and the Flames this year!
 
-Mark
 
                   ________________________________________
                  |           Mark B. Czarnowski           |
  GO              |    University of Illinois at Chicago   |              GO
FLAMES!           |     Internet Email: [log in to unmask]    |            ILLINI!
                  | WWW: http://www.eecs.uic.edu/~mczarnow |
                  |    Campus telephone: (312) 413-3543    |
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