I want to send out a posting on my thoughts as far as seeding possibilities
go, but I haven't had time yet.  First, I'll give you this to think about.
 
I don't think Wisconsin and NMU are guaranteed spots in the tourney.  PC
can still make a serious case given certain circumstances, which would give
the East 6 teams and the West 5 plus UAA.
 
The winner of Wis-NMU in the WCHA semifinals is a good bet to be seeded
higher and even has a shot at 4th or better.  The loser may not go at all,
especially if it also drops the consolation.  Wis & NMU are closely rated,
and have similar records against common opponents, but their current head-to-
head record is 2-2-0.  The winner would have the head-to-head advantage.
 
Should Wisconsin (current RPICH .5388, 9th) drop both, here's how they'd
stack up against PC (current RPICH .5352, 10th):
     DivIWin%      Vs CommOpp  Vs Top 15
Wis  23-14-2 .615  4-4-1 .500  4-6-0 .400
PC   21-13-2 .611  2-4-0 .333  6-6-1 .500
(Wisconsin could have another loss to a commopp, Minnesota, in the consolation
as well as another loss to a Top 15 team, Minn.)
Two losses would likely drop Wis's RPICH below PC's as well.  This is too
close to call.
 
Should NMU drop two, here's how they would measure up.
     CurrRPICH    DivIWin%      CommOpp     Top15%
NMU  .5349, 11th  22-15-3 .588  7-2-0 .778  6-6-0 .500
PC   .5352, 10th  21-13-2 .611  4-1-0 .800  6-6-1 .500
(NMU could have another loss to a commopp, Minn, and to a Top15, Minn,
in the consolation).
NMU's RPICH would plummet with two losses, and it is already lower than PC.
PC would be *as good or better* in every significant category.
 
So, I'd bet that a 4th-place finish in the WCHA for NMU gets PC a ticket to
the show.  With a split, RPICH will likely still be lower for NMU, DivIWin%
would be lower, but if the win is over Wis or Minn, then NMU is as good or
better in CommOpp and Top15%.  It would be a tough call, but PC could still
argue a serious case.
 
(PC did not play Wis or NMU this season.)
 
 
- mike