I recently discovered and confirmed with the CCHA office that last
Sunday's Michigan-Alberta game DOES count in the season standings and
statistics.  It was originally scheduled as an exhibition.  The scoop
is, since Michigan has only 33 other games scheduled (30 CCHA + 2 GLI +
1 additional game vs. Notre Dame), Saturday's game vs. Alberta is
included in the record as game #34, bringing them to the NC$$ limit.
But, each team also has the opportunity for one "foreign opponent game"
in their schedule -- which doesn't have to count against the NC$$ limit.
Hence, Saturday's game was simply a non-conference match and Sunday's
game was Michigan's "foreign opponent" match.  Most people (including me)
interpreted Saturday's game as being both a non-conference AND a foreign
opponent game, thus Sunday's game had to be an exhibition.  This is not
the case.  For what it's worth, Michigan's *official* record is now 13-3-3
(12-3-2 vs. Division I), and they will play 35 regular season games.
 
  John H
  U Mich
 
P.S. Several players, including Michigan's starting goaltender, were
also unaware of the interpretation and thought that they were playing
in an exhibition game.  I'm not sure when they were actually told that
the game (and statistics) were to be counted.