Road to the Frozen Four

[E.J.]

http://www.ncaa.com/sites/default/files/files/2011DIMHockeyBracket.pdf

GO Denver Pioneers!
http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i397/EJB21/DenverHockey.jpg

[jmsremax]

Let's go BC :banger

[icehog3]

GO Denver Pioneers!


And take the Avalanche with you! :r

[chippewastud79]

Hope Denver beats up on those broncos. Always a good day when that team from Kalamazoo loses at anything. :tu

Pretty good first period in the first game :ih

[E.J.]

And take the Avalanche with you! :r

Kick a man when he's down.....:r

[taltos]

Kick butt BC!

[Bruins Fan]

Go BC :banger

[E.J.]

BC is in serious trouble....

[icehog3]

BC is in serious trouble....

8-4 ....wow.

[jmsremax]

BC got :sl

Congrats to Colorado. Now I will be cheering on anyone left from Hockey East.

[Eleven]

Ouch. Screeching halt to Miami's try this year. I've seen these guys practice, it's intense. I was thinking this year would be different.

[Wanger]

I'm a bit late to this party, but I gotta chime in here. Living in MN, I'm in enemy territory (I'm a UND Fighting Sioux grad). Went with the wife to the Final 5 (WCHA conf tourney) semi, and took the whole family to the final game. The Sioux seemed to just be playing with CC and Denver in those games. They came out in the NCAAs and have been on FIRE. 6-0 and 6-1. Wow! Of all the trophys they've taken home this year, they haven't touched ANY of them. They have only one goal and one trophy they want to touch and celebrate. It's been a mission for them since last year ended, and I'd say they're the favorite to win it. 15 game unbeaten streak. Dell is playing well in the net, and they have a TON of firepower, especially with Gregoire coming back for the NCAAs, and Kristo coming back for the Final 5. IMO, Frattin should win the Hobey this year (but I AM a homer there).

We might try to get tickets to one or both games (should they make it). It would be AWESOME to see them hoist the trophy in person in Rodent country. :D

GO SIOUX!!!!

[icehog3]

GO SIOUX!!!!

Jonathan Toews!!

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/toewssioux.jpg

[Wanger]

Jonathan Toews!!

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/toewssioux.jpg

:D We saw plenty of Toews Hawks green jerseys at the Final Five.

They've had quite a few good NHL players come through there. It'll be interesting to see what Frattin does in the big leagues. Toronto holds his rights.

[Wanger]

...and it continues tonight! Duluth vs. Notre Dame at 4PM Central, followed by UND vs. Michigan at 7:30. Not sure what to expect for the early game, but all the "experts" seem to be picking UMD to advance to the title game.

The second game (the one I truly care about) matches up the top two programs in the NCAA, in regards to Frozen Four appearances and national titles. The Sioux are led by a great group of seniors, and came into this season on a mission, with only one goal...win the game that will be played Saturday night. They come in white hot: 14-0-1 in their last 15 games, and have only lost 3 games since Thanksgiving. After a couple tight games in the WCHA Final Five, they REALLY turned it on at the start of the NCAA tourney, winning 6-0 and 6-1. Michigan is a good team, but isn't coming in on the streak that UND is on. They squeaked out a win in the first round, and played well in the second to beat CC. The Sioux seem to be able to play any style of game; tough, physical, and bruising or fast, skilled, and with an up and down pace. The key to this game is will UNDs depth show through. By all accounts, they have a ton of depth, and that has enabled them to wear on teams throughout the year. Key players have missed significant time this year, and that has only served to show off their depth even more. Can the seniors go out on top? Can their depth wear out Michigan? I hope that's the case. Should we win tonight, Erin and I will likely be searching for tickets to what we can only hope will be the crowning of UNDs 8th national title. :)

[chand]

All I can hear is "DU Sucks!!!" I think I went to too many CC games when I was stationed in the Springs. I have no rooting interest toady so I'll just have to hope for good games.

[Gophernut]

Should we win tonight, Erin and I will likely be searching for tickets to what we can only hope will be the crowning of UNDs 8th national title. :)

I think it would be a very large upset at this point if someone knocks off the Sioux. I think the only way to do it would be to score 5+ goals, and have a goalie who stands on his head. Should be great hockey either way!

[Wanger]

So the runner up had been determined. Duluth will take the 2nd place trophy up I-35 on Saturday night. :p

Puck drops in 10. GO SIOUX!!!!!

[Wanger]

Not pleased so far. Sioux are outplaying Mich, but Hunwick is standing on his head. 1-0 bad guys heading into the 3rd period.

[fissure]

Who would have thought the game would end up 2-0? Let alone michigan being the 2:noon:noon Without Hunwick standing on his head, ND could have easily had 5 goals.

GO BLUE:banger

[Wanger]

Sigh...

Having been an athlete at UND, that was a PAINFUL loss. I also know that I'm just wired that way, too. I know the hurt that they were feeling in that locker room last night, and no doubtedly are feeling today. This was THE year. They had a high scoring team with a great defense, led by a STRONG group of seniors. This one hurts...a lot.

Plain and simple, Hunwick won the game singlehandedly. Big save after big save after big save. To stop 40 shot from that pressure all game long, I tip my cap to him. Start to finish, the Sioux controlled most of the game, but a defenseman loses his guy for 3 seconds, and the game winner goes in. If it had gone the other way, I'd be able to say it was a great game sooner. Maybe in a year, I'll be able to talk about how good of a game it was, but d@mmit, it's painful right now.

Given how Hunwick played last night, if he plays like that tomorrow, Duluth has no shot. They stood up to the physical play of the Sioux (even though they seemed to come out on the short end of all those battles), and I don't see UMD being as physical.

Given how I feel right now...go nobody on Saturday. :p

Actually, even though I don't want to see banner #10 go up for Michigan, I'd rather have that than have to listen to the UMD fans around here chirping about title #1.

[E.J.]

Sorry about your Sioux.... I didn't get to see anything but the 1st period...(watched the final period of the first game, first period of the second game)....

Hell of a run...

E.J.

[GreekGodX]

Who would have thought the game would end up 2-0? Let alone michigan being the 2:noon:noon Without Hunwick standing on his head, ND could have easily had 5 goals.

GO BLUE:banger

:wo

[Wanger]

All I can keep saying today is "F@#K!!!" :(

For all that they did and as well as they played all year long, it feels like an empty, lost season, with 2 years rebuilding ahead. :(

[E.J.]

OT!

[Eleven]

Heck of a game. I didn't have a dog in this fight but it was nice to see such a great game.

I love watching the winners celebrate and I hate watching the losers stand around and wait.

I just hope I get to see my kid competing like this some day. And I hope he is doing the celebrating, not the standing around.

[kelmac07]

Not a big hockey fan...but WOW...what a game. :tu :tu

[gvarsity]

Have to tip my hat to UMD. Didn't get a championship with Brett Hull but they finished this time. Great finish too.

[icehog3]

:wo :wnr

[Wanger]

Couldn't watch it. Too painful. Was hoping Michigan would win it, because now I have to listen to the local Duluth fans rub it in. Ugh! Glad for the fans that it was a good game, though.