Who's Number 1?

As Bertagna says, "People that want to push a cause are going to push which statistic they want to use." Hockey East enthusiasts point to last year's final ECAC standings free (see box) which show that Hockey East teams won tow of every three games against current ECAC schools.

But Hockey East has fared rather poorly against the WCHA, losing 13 more games than it has won. "I'm sick and tired of hearing how good their leagues is," says Cleave "Clarkson, St. Lawrence, RPI their haven't changed their abilities," the Crimson mentor adds. A glance at the current national pool (see box) reveals four ECAC teams in the top 10, with only two Hockey East clubs, tow CCHA squads and tow WCHA representatives.