Looking at the power rankings with only 2 NC games left (Beanpot), a couple
of interesting things come to mind.
It appears as though some of the brackets can already be put together, using
the host team bias and the 500 mile rule (or have they removed that?)

Maine looks like a good bet for Worcester, winning a potential match with BU,
who will be there unless they crash and burn out of the NCAA's.

CC appears headed for the Twin Cities, with a potential second round game
with the Gophers.

Cornell could be the eastern team that ends up west, since AA is within the
500 mile ring of Ithaca.  Waiting for the Red would be the host Wolverines
and North Dakota, who seems destined to be a #2 seed.

Finally, Providence (the only venue unlikely to include the host team), seems
a good bet for PWR #4-#5 game as the region final getting BC and UNH.

No easy roads to the Frozen Four for any of the top teams.  Also this does
not take into account that the CCHA leader and second place teams (Ferris and
OSU) have to go somewhere (Minnesota/east?).

The remainder of the bracket has the CHA and MAAC champs (neither of which
will be within shouting distance of a top 16 power ranking), along with the
teams that end up in the top 14, barring upsets in the big 4 tourneys.  Right
now those last three spots are occupied by 3 WCHA teams (St. Cloud, Mankato
and DU).  It is unlikely that all three of these will make the field, as at
least one will end the season with two losses during the WCHA post-season.
That leaves the battle for the last spot wide open for the teams with PWR
between 18 and 14, which includes mid level teams in the CCHA, Providence and
Harvard.  The Crimson (due to their terrible non-conferece record) seem to
have put themselves in a real hole.  Even if they finish in a tie for first
in the ECAC (assuming an upset win over Cornell this weekend), they might
still have to win the automatic bid to qualify.  It is clear that if they do
not win in Albany, they can only get an at-large bid if Cornell gets the ECAC
bid (any other ECAC team would knock Harvard out).  Tonight's game is a must
for Harvard.

Another interesting factor that could come into play on the final seedings is
the post season games.  Most of the top power teams are going to have a two
game series (or three games in a worst-case scenario) against a team with a
terrible RPI, which could alter the rankings (this might help the ECAC teams,
as the new format will probably eliminate the worst teams before they play
the top four).  So nothing is set in stone. There is still lots to play for,
so we can expect more hard fought games among teams trying for a final push.

Enjoy

William Sangrey
Cornell '87&'94
Let's Go RED!!!