The Providence upset of UNH has potentially thrown a wrench into the post-season bid machine. And if the Friars win the tounament, things will get very interesting, since this season seems to consist of 4 very good teams, and 8 chasers. While admittedly this is based purely on crystal ball gazing, let's set out a potential NC$$ tourney: East West 1. Maine 1. Michigan 2. BU 2. Colorado 3. Clarkson 3. Minnesota 4. UNH 4. Bowling Green 5. Northeastern 5. Denver 6. ECAC #2 (Colgate?) 6. Wisconsin Note: the placings will undoubtedly change as a result of the league tournaments, but my exercise suggsests a couple of interesting scenarios. Fi First, until last night, UHN probably had a lock on the third East seed. Now Clarkson has a good opportunity to grab the #3. I am assuming that the league champions will not automatically receive the #1 and #2 seeds. Northeastern is undoubtedly the bubble team. A victory against Lowell seems to be essential to increase their chances. But what if Providence takes the tournament? Even if Northeastern made it to the title game they probably wouldn't make it. The West is similarly a rat's nest, with seeds 3-6 very tight. Minnesota, because of their high RPI probably has the best chance of making the tourney, but what happens in the CCHA tournament could greatly affect the WCHA's chances of four bids. Michigan State and LSSU are probably inches away from a bid, with LSSU ( as usual) dependent on an upset of Michigan to get a bid. And this year it is not likely that the West will get more bids than the East, due to the overall strength of Hockey East this year. It will certainly be interesting. ********************************************************* Brian Morris Go RPI! 1991 Redux? [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]