NCAA seeding

[cowboys5xsbs]

52 minutes ago, Dustin said:

I am a little surprised that Denver and Western Michigan can't change places considering they play each other next, and the winner of that game would potentially play (and could beat) #1.

1.2 NPI is alot to make up in 2 games 

[90siouxfan]

1 hour ago, Shawn-O said:

Ah, the ever dangerous Holy Cross 16th seed! 

I for one hope karma has other things to do that day if this plays out...

[atxsioux]

2 hours ago, Dustin said:

I know he did say that, and I am not saying the committee wouldn't do that, but the committee also makes changes based on attendance purposes. 

Say the committee has this dilemma: Send the #1 overall seed 1500 miles away from their campus to play the worst overall team in the tournament in a venue that they (the worst team) chose; OR, send the #1 overall seed to play the second worst team in the tournament in a venue that's 300 miles from their campus that can easily be filled with their large traveling fanbase.  To me, if the committee is interested in "protecting" the top overall seed, sending them to Worcester does not do that.  Plus, the optics of a full regional, which has been increasingly uncommon in the neutral-site era, would be so much better for the sport.

I would like to think that the UND team/staff would prefer to play the second worst team in Sioux Falls rather than playing the worst team in Worcester, but it's possible I'm wrong.

Think the committee will value bracket integrity over attendance likely. It’s close but I’d put it at 60/40. (Bracket integrity / attendance)

[AJS]

Holy Cross will be on the road for the semifinal and if they make it the final, so most likely a moot point.

[franchise]

33 minutes ago, AJS said:

Holy Cross will be on the road for the semifinal and if they make it the final, so most likely a moot point.

Are the AHA semifinals just a single game?

[petey23]

47 minutes ago, atxsioux said:

Think the committee will value bracket integrity over attendance likely. It’s close but I’d put it at 60/40. (Bracket integrity / attendance)

If UND is #1 overall and Augustana is #13(1st 4 seed) it will be interesting as to how they handle that.

[.357]

13 minutes ago, petey23 said:

If UND is #1 overall and Augustana is #13(1st 4 seed) it will be interesting as to how they handle that.

How would that be an issue?

[JakeLove]

Augastana as the host team has to be placed in the Sioux Falls regional. 
 

augustanas seeding will likely dictate if UND will be in Sioux Falls.

Augustana will get in, UND will get in, and the next two games for each team will determine where UND goes. 
 

best case scenario- UND is #1 overall, Augie is #12, both end up in Sioux Falls. 

[1972]

11 minutes ago, JakeLove said:

Augastana as the host team has to be placed in the Sioux Falls regional. 
 

augustanas seeding will likely dictate if UND will be in Sioux Falls.

Augustana will get in, UND will get in, and the next two games for each team will determine where UND goes. 
 

best case scenario- UND is #1 overall, Augie is #12, both end up in Sioux Falls. 

Omaha is the host in sioux falls

[Big Green]

7 minutes ago, JakeLove said:

Augastana as the host team has to be placed in the Sioux Falls regional. 
 

augustanas seeding will likely dictate if UND will be in Sioux Falls.

Augustana will get in, UND will get in, and the next two games for each team will determine where UND goes. 
 

best case scenario- UND is #1 overall, Augie is #12, both end up in Sioux Falls. 

Augustana is not the host team.  Omaha is the host team.  Odd situation where 1 team is hosting in the backyard of another team.

correct best scenario augustana is a 3 and we are #1 overall

[petey23]

2 minutes ago, 1972 said:

Omaha is the host in sioux falls

They could and should ship Augie if the matchup doesn't work out....assuming UND is #1 overall and Augie not a 3 seed or if they are a 4 seed they would need to be #15

[JakeLove]

Glad I am wrong about the host! Makes the UND path to Sioux Falls easier. The NC$$ should want that attendance bonanza to happen. 
 

we are all glad the Omaha meatheads are out. 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Augie hosts in 2028, but we are hosting in Fargo that year. I-29 will be the center of the hockey world for a weekend.

[cberkas]

2 minutes ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

Augie hosts in 2028, but we are hosting in Fargo that year. I-29 will be the center of the hockey world for a weekend.

And Denver has the Frozen Four that year

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

1 minute ago, cberkas said:

And Denver has the Frozen Four that year

Yep. I'll be there

[TwamleyShuffle]

I’m predicting UMD will be in our regional and WMU will be in DUs regional

[Sweethockey]

13 minutes ago, TwamleyShuffle said:

I’m predicting UMD will be in our regional and WMU will be in DUs regional

Agreed, they would never place us in 4 different regionals. If that happened-- What next?? Cats sleeping with dogs??

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

36 minutes ago, Sweethockey said:

Agreed, they would never place us in 4 different regionals. If that happened-- What next?? Cats sleeping with dogs??

If that happens, it'll be a rematch of the Frozen Faceoff in Vegas.

[Dustin]

1 hour ago, TwamleyShuffle said:

I’m predicting UMD will be in our regional and WMU will be in DUs regional

Well, that’s exactly the way the seeding pods would work out if decided right now.  1-8, 4-5.

[RedFrog]

If anyone is eager to run some scenarios, here is an early predictor tool:

https://www.bcinterruption.com/boston-college-bc-eagles-mens-womens-hockey-ranking-calculators/51511/what-if-the-2026-ncaa-mens-hockey-tournament-npi-predictor-frozen-four

[cowboys5xsbs]

4 hours ago, TwamleyShuffle said:

I’m predicting UMD will be in our regional and WMU will be in DUs regional

They should ship them out east

[SIOUXpucks]

On 3/7/2026 at 12:00 PM, Kab said:

Uscho show attendance at 11,400, I’m sure it’s helps that season ticket holders are billed for first round p,at off games when they renew 

 

On 3/7/2026 at 12:51 PM, SIOUXFAN97 said:

no reason there should be empty seats...

dollar dogs or dollar seats....or both....

this aint that hard rea

Despite the posted numbers, attendance was definitely light at the Ralph this past weekend, and I really wonder what it'll be like next weekend when even the season ticket holders have to pony up $52-$62 for tickets.  I'm not sure if REA or NCHC sets those prices but I can imagine a lot of empty seats.  Seems like gouging to me and they should be priced lower to ensure more butts in the seats.  It's also sprint break for UND and the public schools, which isn't going to help sell tickets.  More butts at less $$ is better than an equivalent $$ from less butts and higher ticket prices.  Fill the place up and make more money on concessions, although "dollar dogs" would also be a nice touch!

[nodakgirl93]

41 minutes ago, SIOUXpucks said:

 

Despite the posted numbers, attendance was definitely light at the Ralph this past weekend, and I really wonder what it'll be like next weekend when even the season ticket holders have to pony up $52-$62 for tickets.  I'm not sure if REA or NCHC sets those prices but I can imagine a lot of empty seats.  Seems like gouging to me and they should be priced lower to ensure more butts in the seats.  It's also sprint break for UND and the public schools, which isn't going to help sell tickets.  More butts at less $$ is better than an equivalent $$ from less butts and higher ticket prices.  Fill the place up and make more money on concessions, although "dollar dogs" would also be a nice touch!

This is getting off topic but attendance for all quarterfinal games seemed low. For UND, dont know about Denver, season ticket holders have until Wednesday at 11 to buy their normal seats for this Saturday so we will see how many seats are available after. 

[franchise]

53 minutes ago, SIOUXpucks said:

 

Despite the posted numbers, attendance was definitely light at the Ralph this past weekend, and I really wonder what it'll be like next weekend when even the season ticket holders have to pony up $52-$62 for tickets.  I'm not sure if REA or NCHC sets those prices but I can imagine a lot of empty seats.  Seems like gouging to me and they should be priced lower to ensure more butts in the seats.  It's also sprint break for UND and the public schools, which isn't going to help sell tickets.  More butts at less $$ is better than an equivalent $$ from less butts and higher ticket prices.  Fill the place up and make more money on concessions, although "dollar dogs" would also be a nice touch!

Too much when the potential cost of next weekend and SF are both looming.

[Big Green]

1 hour ago, SIOUXpucks said:

 

Despite the posted numbers, attendance was definitely light at the Ralph this past weekend, and I really wonder what it'll be like next weekend when even the season ticket holders have to pony up $52-$62 for tickets.  I'm not sure if REA or NCHC sets those prices but I can imagine a lot of empty seats.  Seems like gouging to me and they should be priced lower to ensure more butts in the seats.  It's also sprint break for UND and the public schools, which isn't going to help sell tickets.  More butts at less $$ is better than an equivalent $$ from less butts and higher ticket prices.  Fill the place up and make more money on concessions, although "dollar dogs" would also be a nice touch!

Agree price gouging.  They moved to campus sites for the atmosphere.  This will not accomplish that