-- [ From: Kepler * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --
 
Speaking as someone who could easily do without the existence of the three
Boston schools, the Allston school (hey, that's where Bright is...), and the
aptly named "Athens of America" (by which I presume they mean the drivers
are insane and the height of local social grace is not opening fire at a
public function), I still think the Beanpot is an absolutely amazing hockey
experience. Calling it "the best" is born of the transparent insecurity
pervasive in that region, but calling it unimpressive would be just as silly
.  The Beanpot is an intense and interesting college hockey tournament --
I'm sorry I missed it this year.
 
As has been suggested before, I think if the four central New York schools
(Cornell, Colgate, Union, and RPI) developed a similar tradition it would be
fun, but it would still not approach the Beanpot for generating local
interest, simply because there is not the geographic (and atmospheric)
closeness of the 4 BP schools.  I suspect any permutation of WCHA or even
CCHA schools would run into the same barrier, but inter- rather than intra-
regional rivalry is stronger there, too.  Let's play more tournaments and
find out!  ;-)
--
 
   Greg R. Berge
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   http://www.spiritone.com/~kepler
 
   "Ne te quaesiveris extra."
 
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