All I can think of is that Tim knows the numbers used for the "bonus to a
team's RPI for "good wins"  must propel Maine past some others into 14th or
better, assuming he feels they can get 75% of available points from this
point forward.

And Coach's comments were made BEFORE the surprising Beanpot results of last
night, and its effect on PWR which is updated in today's USCHO (it helped
Maine).  http://www.uscho.com/rankings/pwr.php

Maybe Tim feels also someone is indeed beatable in Boston at the "This Space
Available" Center (hoping it is not BU in the final) to give Maine the
auto-bid.  I do think unless a severe collapse happens that Maine has
secured home ice to start the HE playoffs, FWIW.

Wayne analyzed Heal with the same results I see in PWR, so splits with
Lowell and BC will not help.  Win and tie each series must be the results
right through the BC series in Conte Forum.   I hope BC loses tonight to
Notre Dame in basketball, btw.

Maine will NOT get into the Round of 16 just on reputation or history, it is
purely numbers driven with the Committee, unless an auto-bid.

If Maine plays like they did Friday night, and BC plays like they did last
night, Maine can get in the Round of 16 this year.  If so, they almost
certainly are a prime candidate to be sent West as a fourth or at best
third-band seed.

If getting in, I am not necessarily saying Maine will sweep their way to
Columbus, but they certainly could perform as they did when they lost to
Michigan at Yost.  Maine's plodding defensive style is not condusive to
blowouts, but with a little puck luck a mistake could go Maine's way, and
who knows....



Deron Treadwell wrote:

>In light of this discussion about Maine's NCAA Tournament at-large bid
>chances, we have this quote from Tim Whitehead in today's Bangor Daily
>News... "I feel better about our team and about our chances to make the
>NCAA Tournament."
>---
>
>Comments?