I really appreciated the analyses Keith Instone just provided on the
seedings of the two Alaksa teams in the WCHA and CCHA playoffs.  I do
have two questions/comments.
 
It's my impression that most of the Alaska-Anchorage games with WCHA
opponents have been in Anchorage.  Keith, I know for simplicity's sake
you've removed the home/away factor from TCHCR and its derivatives, but
don't you think the Seawolves' record is a bit tilted by this advantage
(assuming my impression is correct)?
 
Second, would a team REALLY rather win the playoffs than the regular
season title?  I understand that the playoff winner gets an automatic
NC$$ tournament berth, and that's worth a lot.  However, it's almost
inconceivable that the WCHA regular season winner wouldn't be invited
even if it didn't win the playoffs.  (Maybe one of the data gurus out
there like Mike M. could speak to the success the regular season WCHA
winner has had in being invited to the NC$$, regardless of playoff
results--particularly with 16, rather than 12, teams now making up the
NC$$ tournament, as I recall.)
 
Just wondering.  :-)
 
 **********************************************************************
 *  Steve Christopher, NMU  [log in to unmask]             * * * *    *
 *  NCAA Division I Hockey National Champions  1990-91   *   GO   *   *
 *  NCAA Division I Hockey Final Eight 1991-92           *        *
 *  WCHA League Champions 1990-91                        * 'CATS! *   *
 *  WCHA Playoff Champions 1989-90/1990-91/1991-92 . . .   * * * *    *
 **********************************************************************