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Message: [QUOTE="SubbaBub, post: 5244341, member: 523"] Hockey isn't FB or even BB. If you put the 16 best teams into a hat, any of them can win 2 games with the possible exception of the Atlantic champion in most years. Cornell was a 4 seed and well outside the top 16 but they play in the ECAC, home of many former championship programs, they can certainly beat top squads and did. The pairwise is vital to a 16 team field so undeserving power programs are penciled in every year based on reputation or number of pro prospects. For hockey, it works and works well. As for the seeding and site assignment, seeds don't matter much beyond the top 8, they should get an easier first game even though it isn't so easy. Attendance still matters for this sport. Regional sites are important as is sending local teams to them. If your team can't handle and thrive a hostile barn, are you even a hockey player? [/QUOTE]