On Thu, 2 May 1996, Zac Halter wrote: >> The WCHA is cutting back from 32 to 28 league games for the 97-98 and >> 98-99 seasons. This reduction in league games will allow WCHA teams to >> play more games against both Manakato State and UNO. Under the reduced >> league game schedule, each team will choose one opponent to play four >> times and then draw to determine which four of the remaining eight >> teams they will play four times each. > > The reduction of league games in the 97-98 and 98-99 seasons and choosing > of opponents ought to be an interesting topic of discussion. And how !!! What criteria would *you* choose to pick your "preferred" opponent ?? A natural, and long-standing rival (important for gate re- ceipts and continued alumni giving :-) or perhaps a "lower-tier" team that you've had continuing success against, and could hopefully use to boost your victory total(s) (important for NC$$ considerations). But now that the NC$$ considers SoS as significantly (if not more so) than mere "wins," perhaps this aspect of potential schedule stacking is a moot point. Will teams be able to change (should they desire) their preferred opponent each season (if, for example they're scheduled to potentially meet in a mid-season tournament like the WCHA-CCHA Challenge) or are they locked in for a longer period of time ?? And I'd expect WCHA SoS to decline across the board (compared to the other leagues) if 2-4 of their NC games are scheduled against newcomers UNO and MKS. While this is undeniably good for the long-term growth of the sport, I can already hear the wailing and gnashing of WCHA teeth should DU, for example, lose out on an NC$$ bid to a CCHA/ECAC/HEA team with a lower winning percentage but higher SoS. As a UNH fan, I have to wonder who coach Umile would choose as a "preferred" HE opponent should Hockey East ever contemplate an unbalanced schedule such as the WCHA is proposing. I expect one team's perception of another will often be at odds with that of their opponents; Maine may consider BU their chief "rival," but I'm sure that BU still considers BC the opponent they (and the alumni) most want to beat. Mutual antagonism (in a more/less friendly way :-) such as exists between Wisconsin and Minnesota is rare in Hockey East; BU-BC is the only one that comes readily to mind. I expect this "choosing" aspect of WCHA schedule-making will make for some interesting strategy sessions in coach/AD offices from Anchorage to Houghton .... Cheers from the Chesapeake - Jim HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.