University Cup
This rule awards Western the #4 seed and likely the advantage of playing UNB (a team coming off 5 straight rankings at #1 in the CIS top ten) first round in an AUS hosted nationals.
I personally don't see this as an easy draw for the Mustangs.
If this rule weren't in place, UNB and Alberta would likely be #4 and #5 (with Western #6) and playing each other. I actually think this rule actually gives UNB a more favourable first round matchup.
For UNB, I don't see any home ice advantage playing in Halifax. It's like Alberta playing in Saskatoon. More fans would rather see UNB out, instead of in. SMU or X are going to get the crowd support, no question.
UNB had some fans make thieir way to Halifax last year, but had little impact in a rink that seats under 11,000. It's a 5 hour drive from Fredericton to Halifax and a single knockout tournament
Possible UNB vs Western
Despite the ranking's, I would think that the V-Reds will be heavily favoured over Western. But, as we saw in Freddy back in 2012 , an upset can and will happen in this single elimination tournament.
Despite X winning the AUS, Alberta is the team with the bullseye on their back.
Possible Alberta X match up.
X is better than the team that played the Bears to e tee in the first period last year. That X team was completely dominated in the last 2 periods of that game, despite having the energy of a big home crowd. Alberta has lost impact players in Foster, Craige and Mucha, but the rest of that powerhouse that has won back to back titles is intact.
Peddle is so accustomed to playing UNB, that he knows the defensive match up's that he needs to give X a chance to win. He doesn't have the advantage of having seen Alberta, so the match up's will not be as easy. If Alberta weathers the early push, like they did last year, I think that their skill and skating game takes over.
possible SMU vs UQTR
This year, UQTR is for real. Solid goaltending and an overall upgrade last year.
SMU is certainly capable of knocking off the Pats, but it will be tough playing without several good players. With the graduation of the league's best goaltender (Anthony Peters), I don't know if the Huskies have the goaltending to win 3 games at nationals. They are well coached and have beaten UNB and X this year. SMU, like X are very good at keeping skilled teams to the perimeter and very effecient on the counter attack. Steinburgh runs a very good pp. The Pats will have to play at their very best to advance from this game!
possible Saskatchewan vs Carelton
Advantage goes to the Huskies. Their team is young,skilled and has solid goaltending.
They beat the two time champs two straight in the CanadaWest final and finished first in the regular season, in a competitive West conference.
I think that their pressure game will be too much for the Ravens to handle.
