Steve wrote----I'd be surprised if they changed the configuration of the arena..... Actually the renovation of the Taffy Abel Arena *changed* the arrangement of the team and penalty boxes for exactly the reason stated--a bit more of a home ice advantage. If I recall correctly, most of the CCHA arenas have this set-up. A minor point as well, but the Abel Arena is a part of the Norris Center. The arena renovation was much, much more than removing bleacher seats. New state-of-the-art locker rooms & training areas for the Lakers, all chair seats, new concessions areas and the addition of the Laker Lofts (private viewing suites) and a new ice plant accounted for the $5+ million project. BTW: in a much earlier post, I think John H. booed the `sky boxes' as something not appropriate for hockey. The answer? The 16 boxes sold for either $50 or 60,000 each. The math tells the rest of the story. What a great time of year. Good luck to everyone involved in the post season chase. Go Lakers! Mark Jastorff Superior Legacy: From Fort to Future 1946 - 1996 > > HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to > [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List. > HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.