> by Howard Quimby <[log in to unmask]> >I keep reading posts saying that UMaine is being punished/penalized for being >open and forthcoming about their violations. I haven't seen any like this. I've seen several that condemn action against innocents. > Many don't seem to understand how >Maine could be so honest about their mistakes and only have the NC$$ and >Hockey East turn around and slap them in return. Maine hasn't opposed the NC$$ sanctions. > Well, I personally don't >buy the "We told you--now be nice to us" argument. I've never heard them use this argument, either. > The rules were broken and >Maine got caught. Period. You don't get points for breaking the rules, you >get points for playing by the rules. No one's asking for "points for breaking the rules." >It's been one thing after another all season with Maine. First Ingraham, From two years ago. >then Tory, I'll concede this. > then Walsh himself, Apparently referring to the draw vs. BU, who didn't find cause to file a complaint. > now Tardif. which seems to be considered by the NC$$ as a mere bureaucratic bungle by the administration, not the hockey program. > Where does it end? Is there any evidence that there's anything else? > I applaud the >Hockey East decision to ban Maine from the Tournament and allow at least one >series this year to be decided on the ice and not in an afternoon conference >call. This is a self-contradiction. Hockey East attempted to decided via conference call that Maine did not win the tournament. It didn't work. > The winning team deserves to hold the cup high and skate around the >Garden in a moment of glory. Even if it's Maine. > It's not the same to get a call in two months >saying, "Congratulations! Maine broke some more rules. YOU'RE the winner now." >We've had too much of that this season. "Maine" could be replaced by "(select one from { list of member schools })". The in-house investigations have undoubtedly ascertained the eligibility of everyone currently on the team. >Maine fans are confident they will win the Hockey East Tournament if they are >allowed to participate. They should be equally confident that the NC$$ would >not overlook such a strong team for the National Tourney, regardless of the >decsions made by Hockey East. I'm sure they'd prefer to win it on the ice. > Especially if Hockey East decided to ban Maine >only because the rest of the league was afraid of them.... Believing that is not the same as winning it on the ice. >I think Maine should take this time and make good use of it. Since it took them all of a week to get back in, they must have. > Get your sh*t >together and come back next year ready to play. They've started that process. They're also ready to play right now. > Or do we await a court ruling >telling us to now call Coach Walsh, "Tonya" ? Regarding the need to avoid prejudice and study the facts, the cases are remarkably similar. >_______________________________________________________________________________ > Howard M. Quimby D/471 [log in to unmask] > GD - Electric Boat Division [log in to unmask] > 75 Eastern Point Road [log in to unmask] > Groton, CT 06340 (203) 433-3465 >_______________________________________________________________________________ Cheers, Mike +----------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | Michael Patrick Bresina | America's always had a problem | | [log in to unmask] | with illegal aliens. Ask any Indian. | +----------------------------+----------------------------------------+