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From: msy@siemens.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: Re: 2nd best team in NHL (actually p
Message-ID: <95500002@siemens.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-Jan-86 17:31:00 EST
Article-I.D.: siemens.95500002
Posted: Fri Jan  3 17:31:00 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 10-Jan-86 23:33:13 EST
References: <1755@dciem.UUCP>
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Nf-ID: #R:dciem:-175500:siemens:95500002:000:1614
Nf-From: siemens!msy    Jan  3 17:31:00 1986


[if the line eater ate the blue line, there would be no off-side calls]

The idea of 1st place team getting a bye in the first round may sound good to
the players (and possibly to the fans), but the owners will never go for it.
A better solution might be to let the first place team get an uneven home
field advantage.
Four teams from each division will make the playoffs.  The second and third
place team will play a normal 5 game series.  The 1st and 4th place team will
play a 5 game series - all in the 1st place team's home ice.  This might get
a bit UNinteresting since the 1st place team will have too much advantage, but
the following advantages can result (some may be arguable):
- The 4th place team has a chance (though not much of a chance) for the cup.
- The 1st place team gets (light) work out instead of sitting out for a few
  days and be out of shape for the next round.
- The owners are happy because they do not lose any revenue.
- The battle for 1st-2nd place will be very interesting since the 1st place
  team will get such an easy 1st round playoff.
- The battle for 2nd-3rd place will be as interesting as they are now.
- The battle for 3rd-4th place will be very interesting since being 4th means
  no home ice for the 1st round playoff.
- The battle for 4th-5th place will also matter (interesting??) since 5th place
  team will not make it to the playoffs.
As you can see, there are no forseeable faults with this plan.  Any comments??


Siemens Research and Technology Laboratories		Marcus S. Yoo
Princeton, NJ

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