I'd like to see a modified version of the old Olympic format, but it, too, requires an extra week: two 6-team regionals; each team plays round-robin. That would require 5 games, nominally Fri, Sat, Sun, then the following Fri, Sat. Set up pre-arranged schedules that only identify teams as "A", "B", ... "F", then let the highest-seeded coach pick which schedule he want to play (the "A" schedule, the "B" schedule, ...) until the 6th seeded coach gets what's left. Play three games a day, nominally starting at Noon, 4PM and 8PM, and sell all-day tickets, where one ticket gets you in for all 3 games. That should also *really* help the concessions sales. Then, the top two teams from each go to the "Phrozen Phour" where they count the one head-to-head game, and play the two other teams from the other region. Then you've got two games each day. Break ties by some pre-defined method like total goals or whatever. At both the regionals and Phrozen Phour, be prepared to play some sort of tie-breaker game(s) on the third day (maybe use 3 10-minute periods followed by "sudden death" 10 minute OT periods). That way, a team can overcome one bad game, and you know that your tournament champion will have bettered the other 11 contenders. Plus it's *more hockey* and almost guarantees rare east-west matchups. Most conference tournaments have some provision for playing 3 games in 3 days at some point in the tourney, and the players are already used to back-to-back game days. More games also means more revenue, and playing Fri-Sat-Sun, Fri-Sat-(Sun), Fri-Sat-(Sun) would minimize missed work/school for fans. Just a wish. Steve G HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.