Once the laughter subsides, however, there is nothing to take its place except an occasional chant of "sieve, sieve" and scattered applause better suited to an amateur golf tournament.

Despite the efforts of one heroic fan--the big guy with the signs--Harvard fans internalize, not vocalize, their feelings. Such is not the case elsewhere.

Here Saturday, people were lined up four and five deep in the aisle that winds around Appleton Arena. In the front rows, people pounded against the glass, even stood and jestered wildly at the players on the ice.

Elsewhere the atmosphere is just as wild and enthusiastic. In nearby Potsdam, N.Y., where Clarkson plays, a local TV station broadcasts the games live. A radio station covers the Golden Knights as well.

Fans in Burlington, Vt., give the University of Vermont a standing ovation every time it steps on the ice.

And, of course, nothing tops Lynah Rink for crowd crudity and enthusiasm. Chickens are tied to goalposts between periods. Strange--often tasteless--objects are thrown on the ice during play. And the noise level would drown out the Concorde.

P.T. Barnum and Mr. Bailey could hardly provide a better circus than Lynah Rink.