In the NHL, teams making the playoffs can range from mediocre to superb.

Because 16 teams qualify for the playoffs, some teams with subpar records "earn" the trip.

But in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, the teams going to the national championship tournament have achieved an odd accomplishment -- equality.

"There's an awful lot of parity in those teams," Eastern Michigan General Manager Doug Waack said.

Leading those teams are the No. 1 Icers (19-4-1). Of the top-eight teams, only No. 2 Ohio University, No. 3 Arizona and No. 6 North Dakota State have not played Penn State this season.

Against the other teams, the Icers have compiled 10 wins and two losses (to No. 7 Illinois on Nov. 5 and No. 4 Eastern Michigan on Jan. 28).

Rounding out the top eight are two teams tied at No. 7 in the ACHA's final regular-season poll -- Iowa State and Michigan Dearborn.

Although the eight teams are guaranteed trips to the nationals in Tucson, Ariz., on March 1, the seeds in the tournament will not be determined until Feb. 21.

The No. 1 seed -- should the Icers get it --may give the other teams extra reason to try harder against Penn State.

"You never take anything for granted," Icer Coach Joe Battista said. "That's just one more incentive for them to beat us."

Being the No. 1 seed has its benefits. That seed is treated like the home team -- it gets the last line changes and the late afternoon game.

"There's some real benefits to being (No. 1)," Battista said. "But there's also some real pressure."

That pressure comes from an intense schedule -- a game a day. Staying healthy over those four days can also be a problem.

"Four games in four days at a break-neck pace is kind of like survival of the fittest," Battista said. "We've been in some real battles at the nationals. That's what makes it such a tremendous tournament -- every game matters."

Luck can also play a factor. Getting the right bounce of the puck, the calls from the referees and hot goaltending can make the difference between eighth place and the championship.

"On any given night, anything can happen," Waack said. "On any given day, you could flip a coin and pick a winner."

Eastern Michigan, which beat Penn State 4-3 on Jan. 28, has been on a roll. Waack said his pick for the championship would be either his squad or Ohio.

Battista said Arizona has the home advantage because opponents sometimes wind up with "vacation mentality." But he said the Icers will not give any team a light match in the hope of securing Penn State's third national championship.

The Icers have already worked on some strategy for use at the nationals. Against Michigan State this weekend, Penn State used a different forechecking strategy.

"When we get up on teams by a few goals," senior forward Cliff Graziano said, "we start working on things we're going to need."