Interesting thread that Jason started. Most folks seem to feel that the MAAC should have to prove itself in some way before it gets a bid ... like in basketball. Yes, I agree. They should prove themselves against the established hockey conferences in the same way that the Ivy League, the Patriot League, and the NEC basketball conferences have proved themselves against the Big East, the ACC, and the Big 10. Which is to say ... they haven't. Not even close. And yet they still get auto bids. And every once in awhile they give someone a very unpleasant upset in the tournament which we all get a charge out of. JMHO. Flame away all you want. -- Dick Tuthill HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.