Thanks to all those members of the cognescenti who privately educated me about the "unwritten rules" of NCAA bids:-):-) Now I'd like to make a point myself. That sound we just heard yesterday quite likely was the thud of the ECAC's "courtesy second bid" hitting the floor in the event of a Clarkson win in Placid. It's called a q-u-i-d p-r-o q-u-o, folks. Either the ECAC sold the bid for Clarkson's possible bye (I think unlikely), or the ECAC extracted this arrangement under pressure from others to give up the 2nd bid on the conference call (much more likely). A third possibility is that everyone involved thought it was a good idea. Despite the comments here, that is possible too. On balance, I think this arrangement is the lessor of two evils. It certainly motivates Clarkson not to rest its better players in Placid. But then again, I went to Tech. Btw, I seriously doubt that if this scenario does indeed play out the way we expect, that Clarkson will be forced out west. Two years ago they owned the building in Worcestor with all their fans. -- Dick Tuthill