December 18, 2006 The Week Before Christmas 'Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the nation College hockey teams were on a mid-point vacation It's been a dandy first half for our beloved game Especially for fans of old Notre Dame Minnesota's been great, too; I'm sure you've been readin' Can the Gophs keep it up when half of 'em are in Sweden? They're at the World Juniors, where the States have been so-so We recommend a double dose of Johnsons, and one of Okposo Kyle, that is ... no, not NMU's Walt Hey, what's up with the Badgers? It ain't Elliot's fault We better move east; the fans will claim bias Unlike Dartmouth's A.D., we're not transparently pious Here's something I've thought of over time, not a hurry Cory Schneider's been good, but not better than Curry That's just one man's opinion, not a homer pick "Wait a second," says Mass fan, "What about our Jon Quick?" He's played pretty well; hope he'll play on the dish With all this year's standouts … that's my Christmas wish I love my 700 channels; tell the cable guy to stick it The DirecTV sports pack is my college hockey ticket With Sagissor and Wooger, Paul Braun, and Mazzocco I stare at my TV and eat a crunchy beef taco I spend weekends in the basement … no, it's not scary On Saturdays I tune in for a peek at Don Cherry But I digress; Wait a minute … is this true? What the hell? Is Maine's leading scorer a guy named Michel? Lévéille … Oh, I see. He's that dude from Quebec Just like Junior Lessard, who once played at the DECC But back to Lévéille; He's got 12 scores An octet of assists, feeding teammate Josh Soares Maine's been real good, but UNH has been better Can the Wildcats avoid their traditional tournament header? Could happen, I guess, with Smith, Radja, and Regan To make it come true, Dick Umile'd go vegan Goalies, they say, are a curious lot They're fine when they're winning; moody if not Some teams have two good ones, as Miami's displayed In Ann Arbor, the netminder's routinely filleted Who'll stop pucks for UM? That's tough … I don't know, man Minnesota gave the Wolvies a Thanksgiving snowman When I'm at Munn Arena, I say to myself, "Jeff Lerg could get screened by an average-height elf" An e-mailer from Huntsville writes, "Hey, no CHA?" Uhh … the league has just five teams. The sixth? M.I.A. The league asked around, but no sixth voice for their chorus Of Niagara, Wayne, Huntsville, Bemidge, and Bob Morris Got a note from a Yalie on Capitol Hill Wants to talk ECAC Hockey League, which we call "the Chill" Clarkson, Quinnipiac – both have high-powered scoring With Zalewski and Wong, not a moment is boring Then there's Cornell, best known for defensive ways Lynah's lately been home for offensive displays Don't leave us out, says Hockey Atlantic Minnesota v. Holy Cross — an upset? Gigantic! We'll get you in … best believe that we're tryin' Is the MVP Ehn, or Pierre-Luc O'Brien? Merry Christmas to you, and a sincere bye-bye from Your friends at INCH, and Happy Hanukkah, Eric Nystrom! - Mike Eidelbes