The odds you ask?  Have you ever bought a lottery ticket?  In both cases, the odds are less than salubrious.

Here's a question - who is better (least worst):  Princeton or WI?  I really think strength of schedule notwithstanding, WI should have been the 4 seed (not that it affects their odds of winning anything).  Personally, I think Denver could - go - all - the - way so that's how I voted, but loyalties will force me to root for the team that maybe shouldn't even be there (WI).

Tom Rowe

-----Original Message-----
From: - Hockey-L - The College Hockey Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hampton, Nathan E.
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 8:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Random Tournament Thoughts Sparking Conversation throughout the Land

Bracket of Death is clearly in Colorado Springs with not only the #1 teams from Hockey East and the WCHA regular season, but also the defending National Champion (Go Green, Go White). Bracket of Whimps is in Albany with only Michigan being a contender to win. At least the midwest has Denver vs North Dakota as a toss up and the northeast having BC vs Miami. However, it has never been clearer that the determining factor in regional team brackets is attendance, which becomes a cash cow to the NCAA. At least Michigan is not playing at Yost.

But it is still better than a lower ranked visitor having to travel to a higher ranked home team like it was from the 80s on back. I wonder what the odds would be for an Air Force, Princeton, Notre Dame, Niagra (all #4 seeds) Frozen Four?

Nathan Hampton
________________________________________
From: - Hockey-L - The College Hockey Discussion List [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mary Beth MacKinnon [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 7:09 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Random Tournament Thoughts Sparking Conversation throughout the Land

Altitude -- Given that Colorado Springs rests at higher elevation by far than any of the other three regionals, does the elevation and the larger ice surface give CC enough of an advantage to advance?  MSU and UND do not play on the big sheet and UNH travels across the country the day before trying to get acclimated to the higher elevation.  Given the bigger ice and back to back games, I could easily see CC making their way home.

Anyone else want to label the Colorado Springs bracket as the "Group of Death" taking the term from the most challenging bracket in the World Cup Soccer tournament?

As much as this long time Spartan hates to admit it, I think we're going to hear a lot of "the Victors" in Denver.  Guess that pact I made with the Devil last year for another Spartan National Championship in my lifetime comes with some serious pay backs.

Speaking of UM, will Sauer win his "Clemmie" award?  In the fine tradition of Scott Clemmensen, often maligned BC netminder who started in the Frozen Four all four years, finally winning one in his Senior season and in fellow Clemmie recipient Adam Hauser of Minnesota treating Gopher fans to 3 years of frustration before blowing the roof of the Xcel Energy Center in 2002, will Michigan's Sauer win his Clemmie?

Does the Worcester bracket seem like a set up like 2005?  BC looked like the class of the bracket favored over an unknown Mercyhurst, only to find them taken to the limit.  The next night North Dakota lied in wait ambushing the favored Eagles.

BTW... if anyone did not get their e-invitation from the Washington DC Host Committee for our kickoff party to the 2009 Frozen Four on the Friday before the skills competition in Denver at the Blue Sky grill and you're going to the tournament (and to DC!), email me and I will get you on the list.  Party from 3-5 p.m.