The topic of NC$$ tournament selection has recently been discussed on
the list, and predominantly related to the East.  Here's a *very* biased
view of the 1990 Michigan vs. BGSU selection decision, including events
from 1989.
 
--- 1988-89 Season ---
 
CCHA: 1. Michigan State      25 -6-1
      2. Lake Superior       19- 7-6
      3. UIC                 18-10-4
      4. Michigan            17-11-4
      5. BGSU                15-14-3
 
The first round of the CCHA playoffs featured a classic series between
Michigan and BGSU.  The Falcons won the opener 6-4, and Michigan evened
things up the following evening with a 4-1 win.  The third and deciding
game was historic, with BGSU's Rob Blake scoring in 3OT to defeat the
maize and blue, 3-2 (and 2 games to 1).  Michigan goaltender Warren
Sharples made 50+ saves.
 
BGSU then lost to Michigan State in the semis and defeated UIC for 3rd
place in the CCHA tournament.  Amazingly, BGSU goes to the NC$$ on the
strength of their 5th place regular season and 3rd place tournament
finish.  BGSU was 3-4-0 head-to-head versus Michigan.
 
Precedent is set.
 
--- 1989-90 Season ---
 
CCHA: 1. Michigan State      26- 3-3
      2. Lake Superior       24- 6-2
      3. Bowling Green       20-10-2
      4. Michigan            16-11-5
 
Michigan breezed past Western Michigan in the first round of the CCHA
tournament, 5-3 and 8-2.  Michigan then lost a tough semi-final game
to Michigan State in OT, setting the stage for the Michigan-BGSU
showdown in the consolation.  It was felt (at least in Ann Arbor) that
the winner would go to the NC$$.
 
Michigan took it to the Falcons, winning 5-4 in a game that was nowhere
near as close as the score would indicate.  Ann Arbor was buzzing.
Michigan's record stood at 24-12-6, they finished 4th in the CCHA and
3rd in the tournament (besting BGSU's marks from the previous year).
The Wolverines were 10-2-4 over their final 16 games, with both losses
coming to Michigan State.  During the season, Michigan had captured its
2nd consecutive GLI Championship crushing #1 MSU in the championship
game, 6-3.  The Wolverines also swept NC$$ semi-finalist Boston Univ,
4-3 and 6-2.  Michigan featured CCHA Rookie-of-the-Year David Roberts
(21-32--53), senior netminder Warren Sharples (20-10-6,3.24,.886) and
sophomore sensation Denny Felsner (27 goals in an injury plagued 33
games).
 
BGSU had All-Americans Nelson Emerson and Rob Blake, but questionable
goaltending in freshman Angelo Libertucci (4.03).  Surely, with the
precedent being set in 1989, Michigan would get an NC$$ invitation.
 
Well folks, guess what?  When the selections were announced, BGSU was
going to the dance and Michigan was left home to wonder.  Maybe if WE
had someone on the selection committee...
 
  John H
  U Mich
 
Postscript: Final 1989-90 records...
 
            Michigan    24-12-6   .643
            BGSU        25-17-2   .591