I usually go by anyone but DU, UMN, UM, BC, BU, UW, and UMD.
Three of those teams didn't even make the tourney this year, so that was lucky.
Two of the others are in the same regional, so that's nice too.
My biggest concern for the postseason is our special teams.
They knew all week that Sanderson and Kleven weren't going to be able to play against WMU, yet those 5 PP chances looked like they just threw 5 random skaters out there for the first time.
I'm sure Notre Dame will be preparing their PK by watching tape from the WMU game.
I think we got a favorable bracket compared to others, hopefully the team can take advantage and advance!
Also, someone get Sanderson some ibuprofen and tape up his hand so he's ready to go!
Go Sioux!
That's probably the first time that Mariucci has been full since they left the WCHA.
That would only help them in recruiting if a potential recruit missed their last 100 home games that were 10-30% full.
Duluth has the same number of national titles as Lake State. They've won a couple recently, sure, but I still don't consider them a NCAA Hockey powerhouse when it comes to titles...maybe if they ever catch up to BC or UW, etc.
We'll see how UMD does next year...they lose at least 12 players off their team, including 4 of their top 6 scorers. And that's not taking into account any early departures.
CHN's two guesses:
WORCESTER
1 Western Michigan vs. 4 Northeastern
2 Minnesota vs. 3 UMass
ALBANY
1 Minnesota St vs. 4 Harvard
2 North Dakota vs. 3 Notre Dame
ALLENTOWN
1 Michigan vs. 4 AIC
2 Q-Pac vs. 3 St. Cloud
LOVELAND
1 Denver vs. 4 UMass Lowell
2 Minn Duluth vs. 3 Michigan Tech
OR
WORCESTER
1 Western Michigan vs. 4 Northeastern
2 Minnesota vs. 3 UMass
ALBANY
1 Minnesota St vs. 4 Harvard
2 Q-Pac vs. 3 St. Cloud
ALLENTOWN
1 Michigan vs. 4 AIC
2 North Dakota vs. 3 Notre Dame
LOVELAND
1 Denver vs. 4 UMass Lowell
2 Minn Duluth vs. 3 Michigan Tech
Straight brackets:
1 Michigan vs 16 AIC
8 QU vs 9 Notre Dame
2 Mankato vs 15 Harvard
7 UND vs 10 SCSU
3 WMU vs 14 Northeastern
6 UMN vs 11 UMass
4 DU vs 13 UMass-Lowell
5 UMD vs 12 MTU
Only issue is UND vs SCSU, so I'd guess they'd swap UMass or Notre Dame with SCSU.
I would be fine with a regional with no other NCHC teams.
UMass would be a challenge in the first game. And then if UND can get past them, Mankato (assuming they win too) would be a tough out...but I feel UND would have a better chance against them compared to a potential Michigan matchup.