Was just reading the recap from College Hockey News on how they mostly
got the brackets right and their opinions on the committee work done. 
(http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2007/03/18_final2007.php)

The asertion in this article, and it is hard to disagree with, is Maine
is in the tournament due to its unbeaten non-conference schedule and
most importantly the two wins at North Dakota.

Normally, we are not in such a situation where our NCAA hopes are
pinned on so little, but I was thinking that this does MAKE THE CASE
for scheduling a strong non-conference schedule every year, and
obviously going out on the road to play a tough team might actually be
to your benefit.  I also wonder if this might help get the occasional
power house team (Michigan as an example) out to Orono.  We all know
the draw backs for teams wanting to come to Orono, but we have just
witnessed one of the key benefits.  Come to Maine and win, it might
carry you in March into the tournament!

This is not breaking news by any means, but just an interesting musing
and one to file in the back of our mind when we are breaking down
scheduling in the future.

-Deron