Yes, it's true, and sighs of relief are being heard all over
    the East.  Among the reasons given for the axing of the silly
    two 25-minute period game plan was "complaints from season ticket
    holders [and fans]".  Thanks for your input!  It's good to
    find out that they listen.  Also, the league was concerned that
    1) while it only wanted to conduct the experiment at least
    through December and then evaluate the results (and possibly
    return to the standard game plan), the NCAA might have forced HE
    to maintain the two-period plan for the remainder of the season;
    2) HE teams might suffer in the NCAA selection committee's
    awarding of at-large bids in March.  These three factors were
    listed as the main reasons that the eight athletic directors
    decided by conference call last Thursday to shoot down the move
    to two periods.
 
    The change was originally made in May when the coaches held a
    vote on the proposal at their convention, and the proposal
    passed by a 5-3 vote - and the three dissenting coaches then
    decided to make it a unanimous vote.  The AD's backed the
    coaches at the time, but apparently after some thought and
    receiving negative feedback on the idea, they decided to
    turn thumbs down.
 
    By the way, at the league's annual "Jamboree/Faceoff Night"
    on Saturday, October 20th, the four exhibitions will most
    likely be played as two 25-minute periods each, so don't
    panic and think that the league has changed its mind again.
    That night, Merrimack will meet Lowell at 6:00 and Northeastern
    will play Providence at 8:00, both games at Providence; and
    at Boston University, BU, BC, Maine, and New Hampshire will
    play.  I don't know the matchups for the two games at BU yet.
 
 
    - mike