John Haeussler writes: > I disagree. I think that Wisconsin will make the 12 team NC$$ tourney, > but not by much. I believe that outside of Alaska-Anchorage there will > be 6 western and 5 eastern teams. Minnesota and Michigan are a lock. > Northern Michigan, LSSU and Michigan State should be there as long as they > make it past the first round of their conference tournament. Wisconsin > would be included in this bunch IF Derksen were healthy. However, a strong > showing by Western Michigan or a suprise winner in either the WCHA or CCHA > tourneys coupled with a not-so-strong showing by Wisconsin would leave the > Badgers at home, IMHO. I think that Wisconsin needs to finish at least > second in the WCHA tourney to ensure their berth. I feel that Derksen's > injury plus the fact the NMU are the defending national champs places them > in front of Wisconsin in the eyes of the NC$$ (even though Wisconsin > finished higher in the regular season). I think you are right about Derksen's injury having an impact; I hadn't thought of that. I don't believe that NMU's defending champion status will make any difference. NMU and Wisconsin are even in head-to-head competition. NMU was 2-2 against Minnesota while Wisconsin was 1-3. Wisconsin, however, beat Maine in December. I think that Wisconsin can finish as low as third in the WCHA playoffs and still make the cut, barring surprise winners of the CCHA and/or WCHA tournaments. I will generate a new RPICH after this weekends CCHA and WCHA quarterfinals that should make things a bit clearer. Of the three teams (NMU, WMU, and Wisconsin), probably only two will make it. -- Erik