We went to the Providence game at Northeastern Saturday night, a game NU won 6-0. I hadn't seen Providence much this year, and I know they have played much better at home than on the road (only 1 road point, that at BC after their goalie made 60 saves,) but is this team quitting on their coach? I have rarely seen a team in Hockey East mail one in the way PC did Saturday night. Lazy, shiftless, unmotivated, no spirit, no effort, no nothing. It didn't help them when their goalie made some uncharacteristic bad plays and let in soft goals, but I don't think it would have mattered much in the end, as they didn't play anywhere close to their capabilities. Coach Pooley has been a favorite whipping boy for some of the vocal internet fans, especially over on USCHO, due to the continuing underachievement of the Friars. Some have speculated that he will not be back when his current contract runs out. It is difficult to recruit for Providence, and their rink is merely adequate, but is this team destined to become a perennial afterthought in HE? It was only a couple of years ago that they were a preseason #1 pick in the league only to finish way back in the pack, and they have done nothing since. Does anyone know why this year's team seems incapable of competing on the road, or if there is any sign that things will improve? -- Rick McAdoo