Hey Fellow Icemen...(/women)... About this home ice thing, I think home ice can be anywhere, the factor that determines home ice is the fans. Sure playing a lot on a particular ice surface of a particular size does help, if the fans aren't there contributing their energy to the game, it is not a very effective home ice advantage. I have never been to the Mariucci Arena, but I think it can be compared to Walker Arena here at Clarkson University.Many a team feared ( maybe not the best word) coming in to play here. The fans were loud, and right on top of the ice surface (figuratively). There was also the famous bell that rang often and loud, and who could ever forget the ever present pep band. All these things combined to make Walker a great place to play if one was a Golden Knight, but a not-so-nice place to play if not. So instead of spending your time bitching about the change, organize some student trips to the game so that you can have a louder section and make the MET center a 'home-away-from-home'. About pep bands and home ice advantage (thanks for the hint Ron 8-) For a few years the Clarkson pep band was banned from playing at the University of Vermont by the arena director there. Why? Because we were termed an "unfair advantage" at their home arena. We went in and made it our 'home-away-from-home'. You may notice that I was speaking of Walker Arena in the past tense. That is because Walker Arena is now Walker Center and is used mostly storage. Just completed this year is a new student center/hockey arena. The arena is called Clarkson Arena (*REAL* original name 8-)). It is a very nice venue and personally I can't wait to be part of the group that establishes the new traditions here. It should be an interesting season after last season's accomplishments, as well as the number of retained players, the freshmen recruits, and the introduction of a new, larger arena with a larger ice surface. So all you Mariucci fans, don't despair, just be there to help kick off the new arena with new traditions. Just a few ramblings, Ted Weiler Clarkson U. Pep Band '94 "Let's go KNIGHTS!!!"