The Weakness of the MAAC and the NCAA tourney.
I am going to get flamed for this one, but I must respond to some of the
opinions of other fans and the status of the MAAC (the new Division I college
hockey league. First off, these teams are not much better talent-wise than a
division 2 team of years past, and should not get a bid to the NCAA tourney
this year and I would say that next year too is a not. Also, why are
Quinnipiac and Conneticut even in the power ratings? Currently Quinnipiac is
currently in 7th and Conneticut has fallen to 18th. I am sorry, but those two
teams should not be that high in the ratings. Who have these weak sisters
played this season? Sacred Heart, Holly Cross, Niagra, Viagra U? Some
Candian college hockey team? I am going to be steamed if a team like Denver
get knocked from the tourney because some one felt that Quinnipiac needed to
be in the tourney. The NCAA tourney is not and should be a feel good happy
tourney, it is for legitimate teams and programs. Below is a funny clip I
found on the Info-Hockey List.
"THIS WEEK: The Canisius College ice hockey team (10-11-5/8-9-5)
returns home after two consectutive road trips to take on the emerging
Sacred Heart Pioneers (5-18-1 / 5-16-1) ia two game series on Friday
and Saturday February 19-20th."
Ok, fine I want to know where are they emerging from? The Bottom of the
Atlantic? This is what our world has come down, we have to sugar coat
everything in today's society. Give me a break. This is just like when
Mankato was Division I their first year and Bemidji hung a six pack on
them in two games. The Beavers Schooled them like no tomorrow. Just because
a team is titled a division I hockey team does not make them D1. Now let
me get this straight, this is not a knock on Mankato or Bemidji because both
teams are making the right moves and are committed to the transition up, but
I question the strength of the MAAC.
I bet we'll hear this argument: Well, Niagra beat Michigan (So have seven or
eight other teams too) this year. What should be said about that, fine, a
lot of people seem to think that Michigan is not that good this year either.
I personally think Michigan is a strong program, but according to some
disenchanted Wolverine fans they are not that good, simply said, it is one
win and it means nothing in the whole grand theme. I will take a strong CCHA
team like Michigan over Niagra or Quinnipiac or Conneticuit any day for the
NCAA tourney.
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