Well, it looks (from the most recent posts) that Maine will be allowed to play in the HE tournament. For better, worse or indifferent, that is a real possibility (indeed, may be a reality and the news isn't out yet). Has HE got a contingency plan? Will they automatically seed Maine 8th, or can they allow the top three other finishers "right of refusal" like CCHA gives it's top 5 vs Alaska-Fairbanks? To me, the best thing to do would be to give the "right of refusal", but I think BU'd be stupid to pick Merrimack over Maine because (as was pointed out in this forum) I'd rather face Maine best 2-of-3 on my home ice instead of risking a one game on neutral ice. However, if BU balks on Maine, you can almost be sure #2 and #3 will, since that would still force a (probable) BU - Maine confrontation in the quarter finals. Just curious. Steve