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