Best D1 div.

[hockeyguy21]

Could we see 2 MO teams playing in the big game this year?

[William Bourque]

It's highly possible.

Lindenwood is a lock for the championship game.

UMSL looks to be stacked as well with all the transfer and returning talent they have this season.

Additionally, Stony Brook, Rhode Island, Buffalo are all outstanding teams that are much better than the teams they fielded last season. Rhode Island made a trip to the finals last year, Stony Brook won DII and added some top end talent, and Buffalo has one of the best lineups in the entire ECRHA as well.

Finally, i don't know how good the rest of the NCRHA DI is, but i am sure that there are some teams out there who are up to the challenge.

I'd say the odds are good, but not a lock like Lindenwood to get there.

[ISFN]

Kind of off topic I suppose...as a whole I think the Division 1 is better overall.

With the addition of the 2 best D2 teams and the normal D1 powerhouses there is really no where for the D1 to do but up as far as quality.

NCRHA really needs to keep in mind the "elite" D1 teams when considering pools/playoffs it would be a shame to have the 2 top teams playing in the elite 8 etc...

[osu_buckeyes]

I think like you said there are more than just two top teams in the league now. Lindenwood is still probably ahead of everyone else but beside that I think there are quite a few teams that can compete for the other spot in the finals. All of the games from the elite 8 on are going to be good games and you are going to have to playing at the top of your game to make it to the finals.

From the east Rhode Island (who beat us last year in the elite 8) should have a good shot, and judging by the standings and results Stony Brook and Buffalo (who we played in the round robin) are there as well. From the midwest, Michigan State and OSU both have much better teams than last year, and Eastern Michigan and Michigan always have solid teams. I haven't been following the other regions but out west LB State and Irvine are putting up some numbers, and UMSL has plenty of talent.