Unfortunately that may be easier said than done for this team. I believe we're currently top 10 in penalties/game?
There is also the case of refs at the tournament calling penalties for being too tall and checking someone(I believe they used the term elbowing).
I have 2 lines of thinking competing with each other. One is just as you said, we'll have to beat good teams to win it all so might as well do it immediately. The other is, better to have to only win 3 games against top notch opponents or have to win 4? I also think teams are susceptible to a letdown after such an emotional game as Sioux v Gophers, given the history and current situation of not playing each other.
The only thing that even worries me a bit is MN's PP. However, do I think we'd win? Definitely
That being said I'd prefer to play the AHA autobid over the Big 10's.
I noticed how little the fans knew about the game judging by crowd reactions. On Friday night one of their players whiffed on a shot and fell over, the whole crowd wanted a penalty because our guy was playing D next to him. There were a few more instances that aren't coming to mind at the moment.
I just realized if Michigan St wins the big 10 tourney, we could play them in the 1st rd if we are the 1st overall seed. The reason being is that they are currently below Robert Morris in the pairwise. It's mind-blowing that a team 32nd in pairwise is winning the Big 10 conference right now
I'm not worried about this game, one goal beat Zane clean, we outshot them, tons of bounces led to their goals, it was their senior night,we won the cup last night, no flow with penalty parades.
But please...PLEASE let NS be ok!
'tnt' I looked online today and found tickets in the middle of the ice seats(granted they were in about row S). I looked for 2 ticket packages for the weekend and nearly all sections had available seats so maybe you weren't finding tickets because you had more than that? Just a thought.