If nothing else, all those games can make a big difference when it comes
down to Pairwise Comparisons, assuming you win most of them.
Minnesota played in three tournaments plus non-conference games
against Denver (Hall of Fame game) and Boston University.  They were 7
- 2 in those non-conference games including wins against Denver,
Michigan, Michigan State and Boston University.

I always have felt that two of the most important games Minnesota plays
each were against Michigan and Michigan State for what they could mean
in the PWC, particularly for record against common opponents and then
the head-to-head against two teams that would likely be in competition at
the end of the year.

Doug Peterson

On 27 Mar 2005 at 18:58, Pam Sweeney wrote:

The WCHA has a pretty impressive record against the best of the other
leagues the last two years.

WCHA interleague games in 2004 playoffs: 6-1

Wisc over OSU
NoDak over Holy Cross
DU over Miami
UMD over MSU
Wisc loses to Maine
Minn over Notre Dame
Denver over Maine

WCHA interleague games in 2005 playoffs:  8-1

Wisc loses to Mich  -- slacker Badgers ;-)
NoDak over BU
CC over Colgate
DU over BSU
Minn over Maine
CC over Mich
NoDak over BC
DU over UNH
Minn over Cornell

Although the closeness of the games argues against a declaration of
WCHA dominance, one does have to wonder if playing in a league where
you see 3-4 other top-level teams on a regular basis doesn't give the
WCHA teams an advantage in these tight playoff games.

-Pam Sweeney