So, the news came out officially today that the Tampa Bay Lightning’s new ownership has pulled the plug on the Lightning College Classic, the Christmas-time tournament that Notre Dame had arranged. This struck most of us as odd, immediately, considering that Tampa is hosting the 2012 Frozen Four.

The tournament was arranged by Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson with this in mind, in addition to it being a fun venue for a tournament. And he had a relationship with some members of the previous ownership group.

Our friend Ken Schott has suggested the NCAA move the 2012 Frozen Four. It’s well documented that I didn’t like the idea of having the FF there when it was awarded a few years ago, but I’m not sure I’ll go as far as Ken here. But I share his puzzlement, and the decision was just as perplexing to everyone we spoke to.

This includes Jackson, who is the one who has had direct dealings with Tampa’s management about the issue. He never really heard a direct reason for the decision, but assumes it had to do with finances. In the process, however, Tampa’s new ownership has taken a narrow view of the situation, and consequently pissed off college hockey. This is not a way to ramp up for the Frozen Four.

You could say that this decision will have no bearing on the quality of that Frozen Four. After all, the FF stands on its own these days. But having local support of the media and residents of that community is always a plus for the atmosphere of the event. It’s one reason I didn’t want it there to begin with.

I asked Jackson if he thought that this was the result of direct animosity towards college hockey, and he didn’t think so, considering the people involved in the new ownership include Brian Lawton, Barry Melrose and Cap Raeder. But it’s still annoying, perplexing and a bit maddening.

When I saw that Casey Jones had decided to fill the assistant coaching opening at Cornell, my first thought was “good catch,” and my second thought was “hmmmm.”

Many have argued over the years that Jones, a Cornell alum (1990), was the strategic brains behind Ohio State’s rise from oblivion during his time as John Markell’s assistant. Jones has put his hat in the ring for various head coaching openings, and fallen short. It has also been said that, should Markell be let go, Jones would be in line for the job.

However, it’s all been long thought that Cornell head coach Mike Schafer — who was an assistant at Cornell when Jones was playing — is not a college coaching lifer. He has designs on pro hockey, and some time in the next five years or so, many expect him to leave.

So, putting all of this together — and seeing that, apparently, Ohio State is sticking with Markell — Jones made the move back to his alma mater, to a so-called “lesser conference,” and in so doing, perhaps put himself in position to become the next head coach at Cornell.

Something to think about.

Once again, things are changing in college hockey. Yesterday, the CCHA approved the shootout rule to be in effect for the 2008-09 season.

Although I thought that the shootout rule was a little bothersome, this is a change in college hockey that I will have to realize it could be good for the game.

The NHL seems to have done it right, and maybe it will be good for the future. Plus, the conference records will be the same as the NHL point system, two points for a win, one point to each team if the game enters the shootout (after the five minute overtime), and one point for a shootout win.

The only thing that I am confused on a little bit is the fact that the NCAA didn’t exactly mandate this rule yet for all conferences. They had talked about it but haven’t set the rule in stone exactly yet. But, yet again, what would happen to the pairwise rankings?

Right now there is no effect in the pairwise in the CCHA, but what if (or when will) every conference had a shootout? The pairwise would probably have to make changes, like they have done in the past.

Will this work? Possibly, but even though I don’t agree with it completely, at least it’s worth a try. If the shootout does work, then it will be another step in the right direction for the sport.

56 Days till the season begins. Should be an interesting 2008-09 college hockey season with all the rule changes and new faces.