First congratulations to Clarkson for almost making everybody forget AA over BC! I wasn't surprised about Clarkson's win over Wisconsin, heck, I'm an RPI alum and even when Clarkson is down its tough getting the two points up there, but winning on the road at this time of year, especially after losing the second game and having to gather yourselves for the third, is a tremendous feat. Which brings me to the proposed format. If you think being a top seed (and having a weekend off) is a big advantage now, what will it be worth when you get to watch two teams push each other to the limit Friday and you get to play the winner Saturday? Suppose you are an independent (or a 12th seed) and have to play Thursday too? Don't the people who dream these things up think hockey is strenuous? Do they ever talk to hockey players? Would Clarkson be where they are now if they had had to play Wisconsin Friday and face a fresh Lake Superior Saturday? This proposed format is supposed to cut down on travel. Under the current format 8 teams travel - four the first weekend and four the second. Yes, the same team may travel both times (i.e. Alaska-Anchorage), but count them twice. Under the proposed format all 12 teams must travel. The site will be chosen in advance and I'm sure the committee is envisioning Joe Louis or the new place in Albany and not (say) Alfond Arena. True, it will be two days instead of (potentially) three, but I don't see much saving either out of pocket or in time away from classes. Enough on this nonsense. For you Minnesota fans your team put on a great weekend of fast skating and hard play. They wore down at the end, but never retreated into a shell, just kept trying to come back the whole time. My seats are in the balcony right over the visitors section so I had the full benefit of the band. It's nice seeing such enthusiastic support for the team. All the fans I talked to enjoyed the skating cheerleaders and Gomer. Pay us a return visit anytime. I understand a group of about 50 students have a bus and are headed for the twin cities for the tournament. Say "Hello!" if you find them in the crowd.