Originally posted by Bumbles
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Originally posted by dave1381
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Originally posted by Skate79
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The way I see it, the elite returning Olympians are concentrated on six teams next year, 4 in the WCHA: BU, Cornell, Wisconsin, UMD, Minnesota, N. Dakota.
If anyone seriously thinks Cornell or BU will win the national title next year, you have to ask yourself, who will push these teams in February in early March? Because the 4 WCHA teams are going to be pushed.
A big factor in Cornell's championship hopes is whether the young Dartmouth and Quinnipiac teams will continue to improve and become legit, solid teams who can play at an NCAA-tournament caliber level. Cornell in 2010 could compete in the NCAA final because the ECAC's top 3 were as strong or stronger than the WCHA's best 3, and Cornell will need that again. Same was true for the Harvard, Dartmouth, and Brown contenders earlier in the decade.
In the case of BU, BC was clearly an excellent sparring partner this season, but there's a more of a void next season. A Northeastern team with a rumored acquisition might be the best bet.
But in my opinion, if BU and Cornell are serious about winning the national championship, they should find a way to play each other February (hard for BU with the Beanpot midweek though). Harvard and UNH in 2008 should've done the same.
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