For those who regularly watch ECAC hockey, please feel free to comment
on my following rant......

The officiating is always suspect and criticized, but the two games I watched
this weekend seem to be typical of the way I feel that ECAC officating has
changed. Both Clarkson and SLU were able to pretty much do anything they
want to Union. I realize that they are both bigger and have a more physical
game than the Dutchmen, but there has to be a line drawn as to how much a
team can do. Some of the physical play I can understand why it's let go, but
the longer it *is* let go, the longer a team will clutch, grab, hold, and
manhandle
the opponent.

I give credit to Clarkson and SLU for keep doing what they did, as the plays
are legal unless they're called as penalties. However, both Fulton and
Melanson
watched what I'd consider legitimate penalties play out right in front of them
and - of course - let it go.

I think the ECAC officiating has gone from calling EVERYTHING - during the
days of Pierre Belanger and Harry Ammian - to calling almost nothing. Maybe
they want to let the teams play, but it gets ridiculous when teams get away
with mugging and other blatant penalties. Has anyone else seen this around
the ECAC? I welcome any and all opinions.

-Andy