BU fans would rather have a win over BC than any other team--take my word for it. I remember no team I was more afraid of than BC, but since those were the days of Emma and LeGrand, I guess that is to be expected. It seems to me Ferris State has to get consideration as the most inconsistent team of the year to this point. They have won games against teams as tough as Michigan, and then have lost to some bottom ranked CCHA teams. Can anyone explain this flip-flopping effect? Is there any way to tell which team will show up? I have trouble ranking a team like Maine, with so many ties, #1. Although, with no losses, I have trouble NOT ranking them #1. For those who didn't read my Minnesota rant, Minnesota has not lost a game by more than a goal all season long, and with just a couple of fortuitous bounces, Minnesota could also have an unbeaten record (although the fact that they don't speaks volumes). Hockey is a game of luck as well as skill, and Minnesota can attest to the fact that luck runs out eventually. The same thing may be true for Maine--that having so many ties will cost them eventually. But then again, maybe not. Michigan looks to be a real powerhouse in the CCHA. Not only do they have an explosive offense, but for the most part, it is generated primarily by their freshmen and sophomores. I can only see this team improving and improving, with little letdown in sight. Does ANYONE have any idea of trends in the ECAC? Brown is on top, but it seems they may not stay that way. RPI and Harvard seem to be struggling (witness recent games against Army and Princeton, and Harvard and UNH, respectively). Vermont was picked early on to be tough, but is also having current problems, with UMD and BU. Id Clarkson the cream of the crop? And what the heck is up with UNH? They are tied for second in Hockey East, despite the fact that they are playing all their games with no real "home". Very impressive; in fact more impressive to me that Northeastern, who seems to be struggling. UNH seems to have quietly come on strong. Offense and defense looks real good, and a 10-3-2 overall record is very impressive. Games to look out for before the tournaments: Maine vs. St. Cloud State SCSU has started putting things together after their disappointing start to the season. Their last four games include three wins, including a 8-4 drubbing of Wisconsin, and a sweep of UMD. They look more and more like the team picked to be #1 in the WCHA preseason poll. The fact that their overall record is at .500 is impressive after the lackluster beginning. If Maine underestimates them as a team in the bottom half of the WCHA, I look for a split this weekend in Orono, and a BIG win for SCSU. Colorado College vs. Minnesota It is still fairly early in the season, but this two game series could very well set the trends that decide the eventual outcome in the WCHA. If Colorado College sweeps, they establish such a tremendous lead on everyone else in the conference that they are all but assured a top spot finish. If Minnesota sweeps, they are but one point behind CC, and in second place. A split leaves things still up in the air, and has to be considered fortunate for both teams. By the way, CC and Minnesota have these two games in hand on all the rest of the WCHA teams (and even one more game against UMD and Wisconsin). Lee-nerd [log in to unmask] "Violence is the last resort of the incompetent." --Isaac Asimov