>> why don't games played in alaska count?
 
>  Games played outside the continental US are not counted in the
>  NC$$ game limit.  In basketball there is the pre-season tournament
>  The Great Alaskan Shootout.  Games are also scheduled in Hawaii,
>  and other countries such as Japan. But I think there is also a rule
>  on how often a team can schedule games out of the country.
 
>  Anyone know the specific regulations ?
 
From the NCAA by-laws (17.10.5) concerning hockey contests limitations:
 
Maximum: 34 for Div. I   32 for Div. II   25 for Div. III
 
Allowable exemptions:
 
   conference championship tournament
   conference playoff
   NCAA championship
   1 game/year against an alumni team of the college
   1 game/year against foreign team (played IN the U.S.)
   the Hockey Hall of Fame game
   games played on a foreign tour
        Div. I & II  - 1 tour allowed in four years (maximum of 10 contests)
        Div. III       1 tour allowed in three years (maximum of 10 contests)
   Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico
        Div. I & II - any games played in A,H,PR against or under
                      sponsorship of a Div. I or II school located in
                      A,H,PR.
        Div. III    - Same as for Div. I&II, BUT:  Up to maximum of four
                      contests; allowed only once every four years.  May not
                      take foreign tour in same four year period.
 
There are other exemptions for individual players (Olympics, fund-raising
activities, etc.), but the above are the applicable exemptions for ice hockey
teams.