The NCAA plans to proceed with its annual Division I men’s hockey tournament scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh in April.
USCHO obtained an internal NCAA memo confirming the tournament will be played at the PPG Paints Arena, with all six conferences receiving on automatic bid even if that team plays fewer than 13 D-I games during the season.
The traditional PairWise formula will be used to determine the field, but there will be significant flexibility and subjectivity used. The six criteria, outlined in the NCAA memo includes:
- Win/Loss Record
- Strength of Schedule
- Head-to-Head Results
- Results vs. Common Opponents
- Quality Wins
- Home/Away Weighting
A total of 16 teams will ultimately qualify for the tournament and play at regional sites in Fargo, N.D., Loveland, Colo., and Bridgeport, Conn.
The NCAA hopes to allow 25 percent capacity at both regional and Frozen Four sites.
