-- [ From: Kepler * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] -- Speaking as someone who could easily do without the existence of the three Boston schools, the Allston school (hey, that's where Bright is...), and the aptly named "Athens of America" (by which I presume they mean the drivers are insane and the height of local social grace is not opening fire at a public function), I still think the Beanpot is an absolutely amazing hockey experience. Calling it "the best" is born of the transparent insecurity pervasive in that region, but calling it unimpressive would be just as silly . The Beanpot is an intense and interesting college hockey tournament -- I'm sorry I missed it this year. As has been suggested before, I think if the four central New York schools (Cornell, Colgate, Union, and RPI) developed a similar tradition it would be fun, but it would still not approach the Beanpot for generating local interest, simply because there is not the geographic (and atmospheric) closeness of the 4 BP schools. I suspect any permutation of WCHA or even CCHA schools would run into the same barrier, but inter- rather than intra- regional rivalry is stronger there, too. Let's play more tournaments and find out! ;-) -- Greg R. Berge [log in to unmask] http://www.spiritone.com/~kepler "Ne te quaesiveris extra." HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.