Y'know, the NCAA hasn't officially sanctioned Maine.  The only official
stuff I've read (on hockey-l, because Ohio doesn't know college hockey
exists, despite Miami hosting the Phrozen Phour in Cincy) is that someone in
the Maine administration declared that they wouldn't accept a bid.  Call me
a skeptic, but I don't believe anything until 3 days after it happens.  If
Maine wins the HE tourney, or otherwise earns an at-large bid (according to
the selection criteria as we know them), the NCAA just about HAS to offer
them an invitation, or impose their own OFFICIAL sanctions (= put up or shut
up).  Then it's up to the current athletic (at LEAST) administration at
Maine, and their state of mind at the time, whether to accept or reject the
offer.
 
What if Maine declared they wouldn't take a bid because they feared having
any laurels taken away afterwords?  If those same folks now think they may
be able to compete and keep any honors, they may ACCEPT the bid!  Just don't
count Maine out until something official comes from the NCAA; that's all I'm
saying.
 
Steve "the verbose" G
 
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