I think the biggest problem is our league games while the WCHA is the best league and tough from top to bottom, the regular season is grind and can be taxing on a team. By the time the WCHA has played out its season they have beat the hell out of each other and teams run out of gas.
I still believe the way the refs call the game has an effect on the teams as well. The CCHA, Hockey East EZAC call their games tighter than the WCHA and they have more separation from the top and bottom teams. The WCHA not so much. I think McLeod