I'm just writing this letter to give some credit to the Maine Blackbears.  They
came down to Billerica Ma. to play the tough Lowell Chiefs who were 9-1 at home
and were able to tie both games.  Many people don't realize that the Blackbears
have only lost ONCE on the road this year.  That's incredible, especially
considering loses to the Olympics and the regulations against them.  Coach
Walsh showed class at the luncheon as Dave mentioned by supporting Lowell
as a team that can not only get into the tournament, but win it all.  He
surprised me with these types of remarks and I thought many of his players
showed class after the fight at the end of the second game.  You see, the
officials weren't going to allow the customary handshake at the end of the
game, but I noticed Cal Ingraham and Latendresse go past the refs and went
straight to Dwayne Roloson to congratulate him on his 80 saves this weekend.
This was a very classy move by both of those guys.  (So what if they played
a bit dirty in the game...who doesn't?)  The Blackbears, if they stay healthy,
will still make a run at a home ice spot in Hockey East and can DEFINATELY
surprise those who think they are a poor team now, because they're not!
 
Congrats to the Bears!
 
                                        Steve Twombly
                                        Umass-Lowell