The info I posted on the Independent tourney pairings came from info we received here at UAA from Alaska-Fairbanks, the tourney host. It is my understanding that the top four Independent teams as ranked by the KBYR poll that were WILLING to participate were chosen...in other words, I can only assume that Kent State (ranked No. 2) chose not to attend... As has been discussed before, the Independent tourney winner does NOT automatically receive the Independent bid to the NCAA tourney. When we here at UAA iniated it last year, we did it to 1 - give the Independent teams a "conference" tourney of sorts and 2 - to give the NCAA hockey selection committee something else to look at in evaluating the Independent teams. Frankly, since UAF is hosting this year's tourney, I don't feel comfortable being considered an authority on the subject. Those that might like more information would be well-advised to address them to Lynn Lashbrook, the UAF director of athletics. . Tim McDiffett