Overall, I think Hockey East is handling shootouts the best way stastistics-wise. EXCEPT in the way that it is being reported. In our paper, the score was reported as "Northeastern 5, Maine 4, shootout", so I assume this is how the score was reported to AP and/or WMPL from the arena. *But*, the game is considered a tie by the NCAA, it is being registered as a tie in the overall record, AND it is being recorded as a tie in the league standings. SO WHY ISN'T THE SCORE BEING REPORTED AS A TIE TO THE PRESS??? The final result *should* be be shown as "Northeastern 4, Maine 4 OT (Northeastern wins shootout for extra league point)" since the only thing the shootout determines is who gets two points in the league standings. (The extra verbage about a league point is necessary to explain what the purpose of the shootout is in the first place.) Maybe this is really how the league wants the shootout results to be reported. Perhaps the folks at NU messed up. Or maybe AP or WMPL or my paper messed up. But the league should NOT be telling people to give the shootout winner an extra goal. This ain't the IHL, so don't use their crazy methods. The game was a tie; it should be reported as such. Keith