I'd like to see a modified version of the old Olympic format, but it, too,
requires an extra week:
 
two 6-team regionals; each team plays round-robin.  That would require 5
games, nominally Fri, Sat, Sun, then the following Fri, Sat.  Set up
pre-arranged schedules that only identify teams as "A", "B", ... "F", then
let the highest-seeded coach pick which schedule he want to play (the "A"
schedule, the "B" schedule, ...) until the 6th seeded coach gets what's left.
 Play three games a day, nominally starting at Noon, 4PM and 8PM, and sell
all-day tickets, where one ticket gets you in for all 3 games.  That should
also *really* help the concessions sales.
 
Then, the top two teams from each go to the "Phrozen Phour" where they count
the one head-to-head game, and play the two other teams from the other
region.  Then you've got two games each day.  Break ties by some pre-defined
method like total goals or whatever.  At both the regionals and Phrozen
Phour, be prepared to play some sort of tie-breaker game(s) on the third day
(maybe use 3 10-minute periods followed by "sudden death" 10 minute OT
periods).
 
That way, a team can overcome one bad game, and you know that your tournament
champion will have bettered the other 11 contenders.  Plus it's *more hockey*
and almost guarantees rare east-west matchups.
 
Most conference tournaments have some provision for playing 3 games in 3 days
at some point in the tourney, and the players are already used to
back-to-back game days.  More games also means more revenue, and playing
Fri-Sat-Sun, Fri-Sat-(Sun), Fri-Sat-(Sun) would minimize missed work/school
for fans.
 
Just a wish.
 
Steve G
 
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