Not that I really want to prolong this discussion any further than it has
already gone, but I don't think the following possibility has been raised
(forgive me if it has - there have been sooo many notes on this subject that I
honestly haven't read them all thoroughly).
 
The NC$$ made its ruling first, right?  Is it possible that the HE officials
felt that Maine got off too lightly and felt that something more needed to be
done?  If they felt that the NC$$ was "spineless" in its decision (a sentiment
that I do not share), then the only way to punish Maine (by not allowing them
to defend their NC$$ Title) would be to ban them from the HE playoffs.  I doubt
the NC$$ would give them an at large bid even though Maine is obviously a
better team than their current record indicates.  Keeping them out of the HE
playoffs would not guarantee they would not be in the NC$$'s, but it would keep
them from having the chance of getting the automatic bid for HE.
 
Total speculation of course....
 
I seriously doubt that there was any malicious intent in their barring Maine
from the HE playoffs, or that some of the other schools are "tired of losing to
Maine" and thus voted thumbs down, as some "homers" have suggested.  Do I agree
with the initial ban?  No.  I think the NC$$ acted with the wisdom of Solomon
by forcing Maine to forfeit the games but re-instating the player and allowing
the team to continue to play.  It seems to me that the violations (on an
individual basis) are minor, and do not warrant a severe penalty.  If Maine
really was a 6-23-2 (or whatever) team, they would still be in the hunt if they
could win the HE Title.  Could the NC$$ have given a stiffer penalty?  They
certainly have in other sports for what seems like equally "minor" offences.
Did HE have the *right* to ban Maine?  I believe so, as the governing body of
the teams that make up the league.  Did Maine have the *right* to challenge
that ban?  Yes.  Isn't that what the courts are for, to deal in "justice",
settle disputes between parties, to determine if rights really were violated?
 
Do I like any of this?  No!  But I will defend the right of the parties
involved to do what they have done.  I agree with Mike or Tony or whomever
first stated that there will be no real winners here, that this whole
unfortunate affair puts a black eye on college hockey, and simply leaves a bad
taste in your mouth.
 
Sometimes we must all do things we absolutely do not want to do with the best
interest of others in mind.  The question is, who should take the pill and
swallow hard?  Should HE let the issue be settled on the ice and not go back to
court next week?  Maybe.  Should Maine "suck in their gut" and live the the HE
decision?  Maybe (though it's a little late now).  I'm glad I'm not the one
deciding this case as I can see points from both sides (being a total
outsider).  Yet, aside from the possible undermining of the authority of a
league over its members, I lean toward agreeing with the judge - SETTLE IT ON
THE ICE!
 
Alas, I find myself in the midst of quite a quandary.  Do I root for Maine as
the "unfairly treated, beaten down underdog" and hope they beat BU to "show the
world what they're made of"?  Or do I hope they lose and "get what's coming to
them", being the strong respector of authority that I am?  Maybe I'll just
forget about it and concentrate on RIT beating Fredonia in the NC$$ D-III
quarter finals....
 
 
                              Larry
 
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Lawrence E. Haag
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