Two totally different topics: 1. Ticket prices. Frequently on this list we hear about how some want the game of college hockey to grow. Some want to see the sport get more respect, more TV coverage and more fans. I heard something on the news last night that made me wonder if that was such a good idea. The same story was also reported in the Boston Globe today. Apparently, the NCAA give each school in the Final Four (basketball) an allotment of 2,500 tickets plus 500 hotel rooms. Thus, the schools, except Kentucky, are packaging the tickets. In other words, if you are lucky enough to win the lottery to purchase game tickets then you must also purchase a hotel package. The game tickets cost $140 and the hotel package is almost $900. I hope the Julius Irving and Bill Cosby aren't the only UMass fans with money. How many on this list could go to the hockey games this weekend if the cost was around $1000? 2. Referees People don't seem to complain about a ref when they win the game, do they? I must say that I too, complain about refs at times. I follow the ECAC - need I say more. I don't think that LSSU should be carrying a grudge since 1991, however. What reason would Frank Cole have calling a lopsided game against LSSU? I would think that refs try to call the fairest game they can, especially when the game is being televised. Their jobs depend on it. Once the game is under way they probably aren't thinking about which schools are playing. They are more concerned with following the puck and the action on the ice. Back in 1989, SLU lost the championship game in Lake Placid. It was very late in the 3rd period and the game was tied. SLU was swarming the opposition's net and getting off some good shots. Just when it looked like they would probably score the net was pushed off its mooring. No penalty was called. The game went into overtime and SLU lost. I have always thought that a penalty should have been called. I don't, however, think that the ref had it out for SLU. A few months back some one mentioned on this list that the ref in that game was Frank Cole. The team that benefitted from that lack of a call was LSSU. Perhaps LSSU should be thanking Frank Cole for the national title. Sara SLU '77 Let's go SAINTS! Let's go CATS!!! HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.