I've been following the discussion about UMass-Lowell. As a Clarkson alum, I will tell you that yes, Lowell got screwed. That my alma mater was the beneficiary of that screwing, just amazes me. I don't think THAT ever happened before!! In the final analysis, though, any team that loses its last two when everything was on the line, really has nothing to complain about whatever happens to it. I kind of wish the process was a little more subjective in the selection criteria. I was amazed when Clarkson even got a bid (guess that's the way the numbers worked out) and even more amazed when they were put in the Knick. If it had been me, I probably would have given Harvard and someone else bids rather than Clarkson and Lowell. But then, I like the idea of going down to eight teams, so what do I know ...? Suffice it to say, the Committee had a really tough job, and they acquitted themselves reasonably well. Btw, I also like the idea of having no teams cross over in the regionals. Make those rounds what the name implies -- true regionals. -- Dick Tuthill HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.