>>>>> "Brian F." == Brian F x5107 <[log in to unmask]> writes:
    > I am wondering if the differences shown in the ratings are just
    > a fluke caused by the different bases between the ratings
    > systems (my first thought) or if they actually reflect a real
    > difference between styles of play in the east and west.
    > Obviously, the different bases have a significant effect on
    > teams ranks, but that really does not explain why the geographic
    > split is so pronounced.  Any thoughts?
 
Rather than style of play, the difference may be due to the type of schedule
that the East plays vs the West.  The ECAC plays exclusively in travel
partners where teams are grouped into geographically nearby pairs.  A weekend
series has a team play both teams in the visiting travel pair on successive
nights (Friday/Saturday).  I don't think the HE does it that way, though.  In
the WCHA the schedule is set up so a team travels to another school and plays
a pair of games (Friday/Saturday).  Again, the CCHA may be different.  I am
sure the 'dynamics' of playing the same/different opponent on sucessive nights
changes the two parameters that the rating systems use: winning precentage
ratio, and goal scoring ratio.
 
The obvious example is that you would rarely 'pour it on' in the Friday night
contest (high goal scoring differential) when it will only make that same
opponent more ornery the next night, but if you are playing a different
opponent the next night, the reverse may be useful.  It would also seem much
harder to sweep a series, especially on the road, in the WCHA.
 
I didn't look at the ratings to see if these thoughts have any correlation to
the published numbers.
 
-John Hughes
 CU '73 (that CU in Green&Gold)
 still following college hockey in CA with the help of hockey-l and Prime/PASS/SC