I think we need a clarification of how the byes will be placed into the brackets.

As John Whelan correctly points out, the Division I NCAA Hockey Tournament
Manual says on page 12:
"5. The top four-seeded teams will be placed in the bracket so that if all four teams
advance to the Frozen Four, the No. 1 seed will play the No. 4 seed and the No. 2 
seed will play the No. 3 seed in the semifinals."

But, just above that, it says:
"2. If more than two teams that are seeded within the top four are from the same
region, teams will be moved to the other region in order to receive the first-round 
bye..."
Which *implies*, but does not state, that if 2 east and 2 west teams are to receive
byes, they will stay in their natural regions.

I wonder if it is possible that 1 East might be bracketed to play 2 East in the 
semifinals, in order to avoid the situation John discusses where New Hampshire
would have to be sent out West because they are #1 and Boston University is #4.


We also need clarification on the new travel restrictions, specifically about 
Mercyhurst.  All else being equal, is the preference for them to remain in their 
"natural" region (the East), or be shipped to the West regional, which is the only 
one within 400 miles of their campus.


It will be interesting to see what is done.

The NCAA Hockey Championship Handbook can be downloaded from here:
http://www.ncaa.org/library/handbooks/iceHockey/2002/2002_d1_m_icehockey.html

The new travel policy can be found at this link:
http://www1.ncaa.org/membership/governance/division_I/docs/champ_cabinet/200202_d1_ccc_meeting/200202_d1_ccc_report/Report_to_MC.htm

It is about 3/4 of the way down the report under "5. Information Items"