In response to Dave Hendrickson's post regarding the UMass-Lowell Chiefs, and just rambling in general: I initially agreed with Dave that maybe Lowell had gone into a defensive "shell" a bit early and it wasn't just exhaustion. But in listening to David Mayes and Christian Sbrocca on last evening's "Bruce Crowder Show", I got the impression that were, in fact, just plain outta gas. Christian said that after the game the team was almost too tired to be disconsolate- said it was the most tired he'd ever been in his career. He also said that many of the players were cramping up towards the middle of the third period. I was really proud of how the guys spoke. It was less than 24 hours after a devestating loss and none of them were gloomy. They spoke of how they accomplished more they had initially set out to do, how they played a longer season than any team in the history of Lowell Div. I history, and how, hockey aside, they helped put the University of Mass-Lowell on the map. It didn't sound phoney like some athletes do when trying to be gracious after a tough loss. [I will admit though, that all the players on the show were coming back next year. My guess is that the seniors might be a bit more upset. Next week's show will be dedicated to the seniors, so we'll see what they say]. I hope this doesn't come across as sour grapes, because I'd feel the same way if Lowell had somehow one, but am I the only that thinks the teams with the "bye" somehow get an unfair advantage? I do realize they've worked hard to get one of the top two seeds, but IMO getting to play the lower seed AND getting a bye seems like it should be enough. Give the winner from the first night a day off! If Lake State hadn't upset Michigan the "bye" teams would've been eight-for-eight in this format. Not only does this format heavily favor the "bye" teams, but if the second round games went really long (like the UML-MINN game), and players were playing with absolutely nothing left, someone could get hurt. My suggestion is to have one regional to have games on Thursday and Saturday and for the other regional to do Friday and Sunday. [Don't get me wrong, I much prefer an on-campus first round, but I don't get the feeling that we'll see that again soon.] Any agreement/disagreement? I've posted this before, but I'll say it again. I hope Lowell fans and hockey fans in the Boston area will continually complain to WNDS about not having the UML-MINN game live. (High school girl's basketball?!?!?! Star Trek?!?!) I'm also letting the school know my opinions, since Lowell lets WNDS broadcast some home games, they'd better realize where their bread is buttered!! Dave, you're right about losing a great group of seniors, but at least Coach Crowder a good nucleus already in place. If you remember the last time Lowell was in the NCAA they got CRUSHED by Wisconsin and then graduated practically the entire team!! (Jon Morris, the Valimonts, Dave Delfino, etc) They immediately went to the Hockey East basement. There's no chance of this happening now. The big concern, of course, is if Craig Lindsay can fill Rollie's shoes. I sort of wish Martin Legault had decided on Lowell instead of Merrimack (I think he's going to be a good one), but [goalie coach] Ed Walsh seems to have a lot of good things to say about Craig. Defensively, the team remains sound, David Mayes is going to become one of the premier players in Hockey East, I believe. And you've got to love the way Paul Botto has stepped up his game. [I could go on and on, but I'll save that for later]. One thing of concern to me (and I assume other Lowell fans), when asked last night on his radio show if he'd be interestd in the Boston College if he was approached, Bruce Crowder replied "we'll cross that bridge when we get to it". Although Mike Milbury will apparently get the job, does the fact that Bruce didn't say "No way, my work at Lowell's not done yet - I'm here for awhile longer" bother anyone besides myself? This is very critical time for the program. On the brink on becoming permanently "big time", and with a new arena coming, they must have a couple of really good season to make sure this happens. If not, the beautiful new facility at UMass-Amherst could lure everyone away and sink the program for good. Let's PRAY this doesn't happen! ************************************************************************** Steve Weisfeldt Go Chiefs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! University of Lowell (now UMASS-Lowell) 1986, 1988 [log in to unmask] Roloson for Hobey!!!!!! **************************************************************************