More importantly, Michigan State compiled a 4-0-1 record against the Falcons this seasons, and those performances are what earned the Spartans their home ice berth.

Less understandable is the selection committee's seeding of Maine above St. Lawrence in the East.

The Saints had a better record (24-9 vs. 23-14-2 for the Black Bears), and handily defeated Hockey East regular-season runner-up Lowell, 7-4, in January. Furthermore, since the end of January, St. Lawrence has won 12 of 14 games, beaten Harvard, and finished second in the ECAC Tournament.

But maybe the Larries are better off playing North Dakota instead of Michigan State. The Fighting Sioux' roster is stocked mainly with underclassmen, while the Spartans have experienced the pressures of winning the national championship. MSU has now qualified for the tournament six consecutive seasons.

Harvard numbers: Lane MacDonald is pulling away from Allen Bourbeau and Tim Barakett in the team scoring race. MacDonald now has 35 goals and 28 assists, while Bourbeau has 51 points and Barakett 48.

How's this for consistency? Harvard and opponent goal total by periods:

.1st: Harvard 48, opponents 20.

.2nd: Harvard 47, opponents 21.

.3rd: Harvard 50, opponents 22.