BC Interruption, a Boston College Eagles community

If you hang a banner that says "National Collegiate Champion", do you even have to play in the NCAA tournament? At least North Dakota could win one that way.

F to the selection committee. It is horrible that New Hampshire gets to stay at home while BC gets shipped out west, and that Miami, one of the hottest teams in the country, gets sent out East. It is perhaps even worse that the committee set up second round matchups such as North Dakota-Denver and Yale-Union. And of course some of the WCHA conspiracy theorists will complain that the committee screwed their conference again. Though this year I think it has more legs than in year’s past given that the league’s two best teams would meet in the round of 8 if they both win their first game.

Whether BC is 1, 2, or 3, it will play in Manchester unless New Hampshire is a No. 4 seed — which seems highly unlikely now. Nothing has changed in that regard. Win Hockey East, combined with a loss by North Dakota and Yale in their semifinals, and BC would be No. 1 overall. Otherwise, if UNH isn't the No. 4 seed, expect to see BC playing someone like RPI or Dartmouth in Manchester in the first round.

BC can actually drop to No. 4 overall with a loss, and with Michigan winning the CCHAs. It probably won't make much difference in placement or the bracket, though.

It is not often that hockey programs get the opportunity to take part in an event like this, let alone UConn's program. Outdoor events like this are meant for Michigan, Minnesota or North Dakota. Not Connecticut. In fact, the only reason Boston College and Boston University were able to play outdoor hockey last season was because the rink was set up for a bigger event at Fenway Park: the Winter Classic between the Bruins and Flyers. Although Sunday's event is only possible because of the AHL's Connecticut Whale and its ownership group, it's still uncommon for teams like UConn to get the chance to host a game in the elements.