The Friars, who face B.U. tonight in Providence, are 4-0, including a 6-5 win over Rensselaer in triple-overtime and a 7-3 rout of--you guessed it--Vermont. This evening's game should alert the league to Providence's status--contenders or pretenders.

New Hampshire, burdened by last week's death of Coach Bobby Kullen, have given Dick Umile--who will finish the year behind the bench--something to look forward to with a 3-0 start.

Northeastern has already fallen to three ECAC teams, Colgate, Clarkson and St. Lawrence. No wonder Ceglarski said, "It will be refreshing to return to league play."

Of course, with a realistic outlook, he added, "It won't be any easier."

Lowell and Merrimack each pulled off some upsets last year, but any win against the upper echelons this season will still be an upset.

"We have the strongest league in the nation," Parker said, with no hesitation.

But the ECAC is already 6-4 against Hockey East and, as Ceglarski said, "Sometimes we get more of the hype...I don't know if that's fair."

A few people here in Bright tonight would agree.