My response to tree challenge (no doubt the tree being in Nutting Hall): One thing for Maine: Find a recruiting pipeline to the former Soviet states Thankful for: having seats behind the winning net in Anaheim, 1999 (adding) Proud of: Maine fans NOT using the "suck" cheer For others in HE: BC: A saw so Jerry York can further shorten his bench in close games BU: Signs that say "Whiner Rink at Agganis Arena" Lowell: Kentucky Fried Chicken to sponsor the team mascot Merrimack: Build a Maine Hockey lounge at Volpe for between periods (serve Fuddruckers hamburgers as concession food) Providence: Home games moved to the Civic Center Northeastern: Dumps hockey cheerleaders; funds saved go to upgrade hockey coaching salaries Amherst: Enforcement of the NC$$ pregame announcement about fans refraining from using obscenity Wildcats: Front of uniforms containing the letters A E I M P R S and W in the appropriate spelling of the name of the University they represent Vermont: Gutterson arena shuttle bus continued next season, includes stop in downtown Burlington near the Mall As for the current tone of this List, let me opine: It is OK to disagree, but not to be disagreeable. We have been reasonably free of flaming here, and should stay so. If some got their way, however, and the list became just a homer type of booster list, I would stay away. That attitude disappoints me as much as the NC$$ insisting during its championship tournaments that professional sports and beer do not exist. A sort of patronizing attitude toward criticism that "the kids can't take it" is certainly appropriate when dealing with Pee Wees and Squirts, but when you're lacing them up in Division I in the NC$$, take your lumps, young man. If you stink, you certainly deserve to hear about it, and from more places than just your coaches. And on this list, the level of hockey knowledge by posters is good enough that such comments would be most accurate, and not of the "you're all cheaters" ilk as we see from some on USCHO. Luckily, we have seen so much good over the years, our expectations are now greater than many, our well is deeper to draw from to compensate when times are bad, and, considering the alternative(s), we could have been coached by the likes of a Dick Umile, for instance, and have NO banners. We are Maine fans, good times or bad, but I won't ignore what I sometimes see. And you'll hear about it from here... On that note, may I wish a.... Merry Christmas to all, and to the AHL, a good fight. Dan