Here is an idea for a 12-team NCAA hockey tournament. Give all 12 teams a first round game, leaving 6 survivors when the final scores are in. In the second round, play 3 games, with three teams emerging for the Final 3. Re-seed the survivors and give the top seeded team a bye into the finals. The semi-final game would be like it is now, 2 days before the Final, giving everybody their appropriate rest. Maybe this would solve the dilemma we have now where all the teams saddled with a first round game in the present format are coming up continuous losers. Just a though from someone whose never been there. HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.