Classification:
Prologue:
Epilogue:
 
The ECAC seems to be the place for upsets in the conference tournaments.
Clarkson has lost in the semis in each of the last three years.  Vermont also
lost in the semis last year allowing for a third bid to the NCAAs from the ECAC.
 
 
 
 
        owner-hockey-l @ MAINE.MAINE.EDU
        02-27-97 04:18 PM
Please respond to [log in to unmask]@internet
 
 
To: HOCKEY-L @ MAINE.maine.edu@internet
cc:
Subject: Various Playoff Musings -Reply
 
>>> Consultant <[log in to unmask]> 02/27/97 01:33pm
>>> Does anyone think a non-Top 13 PWR team can pull a
>>> Providence this year and win their conference tournament?
>>> If so, who?
 
Any league could have this scenario, especially HockeyEast who
has only two of the eight participants in the PWR rankings at
all. Providence could do it again as well as Merrimack or BC.
 
To project something like this is to also say that the
league powers will not prevail. Michigan and Miami will both
lose? Clarkson and Vermont and even Cornell will all lose?
N. Dakota and Minnesota will both fail to garner a championship?
HockeyEast will go to someone other than UNH or BU?
 
But, I think the biggest threat comes from the ECAC in
the likes of both RPI and Union. Nothing against Clarkson,
Vermont and Cornell.
 
Union - Can you say "Koenig The Barbarian"?  A hot goalie is one
way to get in, but a good playoff showing may very well get Union
into the PWR qualifiers anyhow. They're only 1 off the #12 team as
it is.
 
RPI - This team has played the ECAC teams very well. They're
a good bet for a decent playoff showing and they stand to have a
good seed going in.
 
A third ECAC candidate is Princeton. Not that far off in the PWR
rankings but not likely to make up that ground. They have a good
shot at the ECAC title though.
 
 
>>> Moreover how many games does Denver, Michigan State or Colorado College
>>> need to win to prevent being leap frogged into the tournament by
>>> Cinderella?
 
Nothing can prevent a Cinderalla from getting in if they win an
automatic berth.
 
>>> Finally, this appears possibly the first time Jack Parker's squad might
>>> play both Friday and Saturday nights in Worcester to make the Phinal Phour.
>>> Any concerns from Commonwealth Avenue over this?
 
In 1990, BU went to the final four with a #4 seed berth. Of course,
their qualifying games to play in the quarterfinals
came the weekend before.
 
Since 1990, the #1 and #2 East seeds have gone to the Final Four ever
year except in 1993. (When they were both knocked out by #5 West and #6 West
teams ... who had beaten the #3 East and #4 East teams the night before. )
 
Since 1990, the #1 West team has failed to make the Final Four three
times and #2 West has failed twice.
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.