I'm forwarding these responses to the list in the hope that
    people seeing them may be inclined to add their own thoughts
    on the subject.  Please either send to the list or copy me
    on your response.  Thanks......mike_m
 
    Responses will be relayed to the Hockey East league office.
 
==========================================================================
        From:  [log in to unmask] (Jim Luttinen)
    Received:  by shorty.cs.wisc.edu; Tue, 22 May 90 16:40:48 -0500
          To:  [log in to unmask]
     Subject:  Reply to questions
 
    1) Do you think the change by Hockey East from three 20-minute
         periods to two 25-minute periods is a good one?  Why
         or why not?
 
I think it is a bad idea, since 2 25-minute periods doesn't seem like
hockey.  Hockey is always 3 periods, just different length-periods at
different levels of hockey.  Your point about the ice being in bad shape
at the end of the periods is a good point, also.
 
    2) Do you think your perception of Hockey East or the teams
         in the league will change?  If yes, for better or for
         worse?  Why?
 
This has changed my perception of HE, in a worse way.  I definitely think
it will hurt the HE schools as far as recruiting is concerned, although
most Mass. kids will still want to play in-state, I suspect.  I think Harvard
and other ECAC schools will be at an advantage recruiting-wise.  I think
it will hurt HE in the long run, as the quality of play will lessen.  I've
been under the impression that the HE has felt that everyone thought of them
as inferior to Western schools, and that the Western schools have always
felt superior to the East.  This is just another way the Western schools can
heckle the HE schools.  I thought HE gained respectibility by playing the
WCHA, and performing quite well.  I think they will now lose that respect,
at least they do in my eyes.  Halves are for football and basketball, not
hockey.
 
    3) Should HE teams receive less consideration for an NCAA
         berth than non-HE teams, given all other things to
         be equal, because their league games are shorter?
 
I suppose they should be given equal consideration.  I think HE schools will
be at a disadvantage in the tournament, being that they won't be used to
playing 3 periods.  I don't think the NCAA will play 2 halves during the
tourney.
 
 
Jim Luttinen
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