To all my fellow college hockey fans: Ah, Yes, the time has once upon came upon us where the men are separated from the boys and the men begin to recieve some rewards for their effort, talent, and stack of victories. All the national attention begins to immediately shift to the best of the best about this time of year. This year is no exception. Well, kind of. Michigan State is without a doubt the most under rated team in the nation. But, you know what, that may not be a bad thing after all. A few quick things which you east coasters have failed to recognize about the best of the CCHA and the best in the West ( this my good friends does include Minnesota and Colorado College! ). First and foremost, Michigan State has a hockey program which allows up to compete year after year with anyone. This is nothing special for all the great teams (BU, U of M, Minnesota, LSSU, Harvard). Michigan State also has the WININGEST COACH in COLLEGE HOCKEY HISTORY!! (Ron Mason for all you East Coast hockey - you can't touch it ers) This year's team also has something that no one who does not give MSU a close look can see : Balance and Chemistry. You will not find a Spartan in the CCHA leading scorer list and you will not see Chad Alban being accused of being the best goalie in the CCHA. But what you will find is Michigan State 5 points ahead of its nearest CCHA competitor. MSU also has strong senior leadership in Anson Carter (who should be given considerable more support in his attempt for Hobey!) and Bart Vanstaalduinen give this club the needed concisency. MSU also has the killer instinct. The Spartans are an amazing 19-0 when leading after 2 periods. The Spartans are also a very hot team. The Spartooneys were perfect in the month of January and have a big weekend series with WMU this weekend which could virtually wrap up not only a CCHA title, but also a one or two seed in the Western Regionals which is to take place at.....MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY!! I would like to beg all of you to simply give MSU some respect. The team deserves better than a # 8 ranking. However, if you don't that's OK, because MSU will do some damage in the CCHA, the CCHA tourney and most importantly the NCAA tourney. Thanks for reading, M. Bradley Hoos [log in to unmask] GO SPARTANS!!!!!!!!!!! HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.