NCAA Hockey Bracket

The NCAA hockey bracket was announced and as suspected Michigan State did not make the National Championship tournament. Three teams that finished below us in the CCHA standings made the tournament. Our record against the three (UM, NMU, UA) was 4-5-1 and our record against all teams in the tournament (those three plus Miami and Wisconsin) was a disappointing 5-7-1. UM made it based on their run to the Mason Cup and the auto bid that came with it. It would appear that UM underperformed during the season.Our abysmal showing against UM in the CCHA quarterfinals sealed our fate.

For those of you keeping track in Ron Mason's 23 seasons at the helm they missed the NCAA tournament twice. In Rick Comley's 8 seasons they have missed the NCAA tournament 4 times. This year Michigan made the tournament for the 20th consecutive year, so it is possible for MSU to achieve the same kind of success it had under Mason.

Bottom line, either Coach Comley isn't recruiting the players needed to challenge for CCHA and NCAA titles or he is not coaching the players he recruits to their full potential. NHL rosters seems to bear out the under recruiting angle as most of the 11 Spartans on opening day NHL rosters played for Mason. Either way, to avoid a serious drop-off in our hockey program the athletic department should make a change in the coaching staff.