While the ECAC is not getting much respect on the national level, I am
glad to be out east following such a close race...no team is safe.  The
Hot-Cold streaks that teams go through make it even more interesting
than ever.  While this is inconsistent and frustrating, it creates
discussion and a good race to the finish.  Clearly, there will only be
two bids from the ECAC this year, but I warn possible opponents that
either team will be able to show up to the NC$$s and compete.
 
This brings me to the subject of automatic bids.  A Catamount fan recently
posted a prediction for the ECAC tourney, placing the regular season champ
in the final (Clarkson vs. Vermont).  However, with the automatic bid for
winning the reguar season, what are the chances of the same team winning
both?  I would hope that coach Gaudet would rest some players or work on
different strategies if Brown captures the regular season title.  Granted,
pride and bragging rights will be lost, but better those than a player (what
happened to the UVM player who was carried off the ice against Brown 2 weeks
ago?).  Besides, Brown and Clarkson will have two tough games before the
tourney even begins.  I see tourney time as more of a rest than a fight with
the institution of the automatic bid for regular season champs.
 
Finally, concerning the ongoing Brown-RPI "discussion."  Please stop.  While
I have been at Brown, the competition with RPI appears to only be rivaled by
the one with Hahvahd.  There is no love lost thanks to differing views
concerning the NC$$ selection two years ago, picking Brown over RPI for the
tourney.  Both teams deserved bids, but Brown was picked.  Then this "band"
issue arises, which (to me) appears trivial.  Did the noise affect Parsons?
Who cares?  As discussed, noise is a part of the game.  I seem to recall an
article in our daily in which a Brown player specifically asked for more noise
from the Meehan crowd.  Either way, a complaint was made, through this list
and official channels, I guess.  End it there...no flaming, or even comments
about how one team beat another's sorry a**.  It hurts to lose 3-0, and 6-1 to
RPI, but that feeling is more than made up with a victory over Hahvahd on
opening night, and a much-hoped-for victory over Clarkson this Friday.
 
To all...good luck, and don't just sit back and watch the game...become a part
 of it...those guys are skating around not only for themselves...sports are
 a form of entertainment...have some FUN and remember that it is a game.  Enjoy
 it for what it is, and this ECAC race is gonna be fun...
 
Adios...
 
LER3
Brown '95
Go Bruno!
Go Gophers!
Go Harvard! (for this weekend only, and only
                 if Brown defeats Clarkson this friday)  :)