Smith feels that Northeastern is slowlycatching up to the other eastern hockey powers,but refuses to set a timetable for improvement.

As for this year's Beanpot, he looks atNortheastern as the decided underdog.

"So far we have played Boston University andBoston College twice each, and not beaten eitherone, and Harvard is ranked number one in the ECAC.But we have to go into these games and play ourbest. We will not let ourselves be overpowered byanybody."

Back Then

Smith says that over the years the significanceof the Beanpot has changed.

"Back then there was just one league in theEast, the ECAC, and it seemed that these fourschools [the Beanpot participants], along withmaybe three other schools, dominated the entireEast," Smith says. "In one sense there was agreater significance to those [Beanpot] games,since they counted for league standings, whichthey don't anymore."

Nevertheless, he believes that the tournament,celebrating its 40th year, retains its magic.

"The tournament has gotten so large now that ittranscends the league," Smith says. "People whodon't even really care about hockey love theBeanpot. For the 80 boys who play in thetournament this year, there is much more to itthan just the outcomes. This is an experience thatis going to last them the rest of theirlifetimes.