Providence College gains a distinct advantage by losing

NCAA Men's Hockey March 24-25

East Regional

Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence, R.I.

#1 Harvard vs. #4 Providence

#3 Air Force vs. #2 Western Michigan

CollegeHockeyNews:

The big issue is Providence in Providence. Now, obviously the bracket just worked out that way, so you can say that's the case, but it is an elephant in the room. People weren't happy about it two years ago (when Providence was also a Number Four seed in Providence, and won the Regional against Miami and Denver).

Providence and Notre Dame could've flipped with The Friars going to Manchester, NH. Then, to help attendance in Providence, you could've placed Boston University there, or Union, and put Western Michigan in Cincinnati. Yes, Providence will be a bigger draw in its home town than BU or Union, but BU or Union will get enough people to make it OK while Providence shouldn't get the benefit, they don't deserve.

Of the 16 teams to make the tournament this year, only Providence did not participate last weekend. The Friars finished fifth in Hockey East and were blown out in their First Round Series by Notre Dame, 5-0 and 5-2. They were home watching the Hockey East playoffs after the first round in 2015, having been eliminated by the lowly University of New Hampshire Wildcats.

Here is a novel idea. Don't invite Providence. Since February 10th, they have played eight games. Four games were against Notre Dame, with the Irish winning three and the fourth ending in a 3-3(OT) tie. The other four contests were against the UMass-Amherst. Providence beat up on the hapless Minutemen, 6-2, 2-1, 3-0 and 5-1. The only win for UMass-Amherst since December 2nd was a 2-1 win over Alabama-Huntsville on December 30. This matchup featured two of the four worst hockey teams in the country.

The UMass-Amherst Minutemen ranked 58th out of 60 NCAA Division I programs. They ended the season with 17 consecutive losses, finishing with five wins, 29 losses and two ties. In Hockey East, they were 2-19-1. Their overall winning percentage was .166.

Boston University finished second in Hockey East. They lost last weekend at the TD Garden in Boston, 3-2 to their archrival Boston College. The Eagles lost to UMass-Lowell in the Hockey East final, 4-3. They finished third in the Hockey East standings, playing well late in the season, but were not chosen by the selection committee over fifth place Providence.

The BU Terriers were not rewarded for their valiant efforts. They were sent to the Western Regional in Fargo, ND to face the Fighting Sioux in front of 17,000 raucous fans.

I think they are giving out free cupcakes to those fans in Providence.


Paul Murphy

Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy