>         I thought the national championship tournament was guaranteed
> to have three Eastern teams and one Western (of which only Minnesota
> is eligible).  In that case, if UNH doesn't win the ECAC tournament,
> the field would seem to be UNH (ECAC RS champ), Northeastern (at
> large), Minnesota (western rep) and whoever wins the ECACs.
 
Yes John, you've got it right.  Otherwise there is no reason for a
national final, if you don't include Minnesota.  The pretense of selection
is delicious.
 
Basically this is the same disinformation that has been coming from that
source all along.  Comparing ECAC League and ECAC Alliance teams and
Minnesota in various stat forms to show how good Minnesota compares to
Hamilton ... means nothing.  The Gophers have done excellent.  Comparing
them to D3 teams is a real put down to them, and the top Eastern teams.
There's nothing wrong with the ECAC Alliance teams, but we're talking
cookies and croissants.
 
The US Nationals should be New Hampshire, Northeastern, the winner of the
Dartmouth-Brown semifinal, and Minnesota.  If Princeton were to pull off
the tremendous upset and win the ECAC Championship, then they would be in
instead of the DC-Bruno victor.  Of course, we're talking USA Hockey, so
who knows, and who cares!  Reminds me of the voting blocks of figure
skating - oooooooooooooo.
 
 _____________
/
 good shooting
 hungerf
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