One does have to worry a bit about the national rankings because without them,
you don't get invited to the big dance at the end of March.  I don't believe
that Clarkson could get screwed enough to be shut out of that however.  That
is, unless they screw themselves.
 
Is there a conspiracy against the ECAC?  I doubt it.  I think that people see
it for what it is.  Every year there are one or two (sometimes three teams)
that can knock heads with the top teams of the other conferences with
reasonable expectations of winning.  Because of the other 9 or 10 teams in the
league, an ECAC schedule is generally easier than a WCHA schedule or a HE
schedule and the ECAC teams are ranked accordingly.
 
However, those one or two teams always seem to find a way to the final four and
even the final game; so, the ECAC should never be dismissed as it seems teams
from other conferences seem to do (Lake Superior will definitely never take
Clarkson lightly after last year's playoffs). I've been here in the CCHA now
and I've seen this attitude.
 
As for Clarkson's dropping a spot in the polls after losing to UNH, I am from
the camp that says you should never be penalized for winning.  Anybody can beat
anybody if enough flukes happen; so, if you can win, you've proven yourself
until you lose.
 
R. David Smith
Cornell '91
Ohio State Med '95