Explaining Those Empty Seats

Much discussion through the week focused on whether or not other sporting events would attract most of the local sports fans and leave few for the women’s Frozen Four. An NCAA men’s basketball regional at the Metrodome, the state boy’s high school basketball tournament, and a Gopher men’s hockey regional game in Grand Forks, N.D. … Read more

Making A Difference

When she leaves the rink, Wisconsin’s Bobbi-Jo Slusar takes on a different set of responsibilities working with autistic and other special-needs children. Dave Starman can relate.

Wrapup: CCHA

Paula C. Weston isn’t quite done with the CCHA, not after last weekend’s league championship.

Karma, Me and DirecTV

What’s a college hockey nut to do when he moves to a non-college hockey hotbed? DirecTV, of course! Or maybe not … Read Nicholas Jon Wood’s Tale of Joy and Woe and see how it’s all about Karma, Nicholas and DirecTV.

A Maverick Spirit

Nebraska-Omaha’s first-ever NCAA tournament appearance owes much to the Mike Kemp, the only head coach UNO has ever had. Paula C. Weston reports.

Hats Off for Ross and Then Some

Bobbi Ross provided one of the greatest individual efforts in NCAA Women’s Frozen Four history during Minnesota’s 5-4 upset of No. 1 UNH Friday night.

Like A Dream

Youth, particularly in the form of Chris Higgins, was served in BU’s Friday win over UNO. Dave Hendrickson says more heroics could be in the offing.

Transfers Of Power

Switching schools is a tough choice for anyone, but for student-athletes, it’s that much more complicated. Tom Reale takes a look at some transfers making big impacts.

Women’s NCAA Semifinal Notebook
Minnesota vs. New Hampshire

You Again Minnesota celebrates its NCAA semifinal win over New Hampshire. (Photo: Ryan Coleman) Sunday’s national championship tilt between Wisconsin and Minnesota will be the sixth time the WCHA rivals have faced off this season. The Badgers hold a 4-1 advantage in the season series. If familiarity breeds contempt, then the Minnesota-Wisconsin series is truly … Read more

Another Tiara for Tia

As Wisconsin’s 10th-leading scorer, Tia Hanson was an unlikely candidate to produce the game-winners in both Badger NCAA tournament games en route to the final. She has provided yet another testament to the depth that Coach Mark Johnson has brought to the program.

Not Your Average Rookie Goalie

It’s an obvious choice — when a team reaches its first Frozen Four, look to a senior with 68 career starts and 48 wins between the pipes, rather than starting a freshman goalie with only 11 college games under her belt. Maybe not, if that freshman is Jessie Vetter. Goalie Jessie Vetter remains amidst the … Read more

Women’s NCAA Semifinal Notebook
St. Lawrence vs. Wisconsin

Ice Sheet One of the bigger factors in the game was the larger dimensions of the ice sheet in Mariucci Arena. Wisconsin had played a handful of games on a larger ice surface while facing WCHA opponents, but St. Lawrence had not played even a minute on the Olympic-sized surface. Jess Moffat stops UW’s Jinelle … Read more

Women’s Frozen Four Press Conferences

Below are the transcripts of the pre-semifinal Thursday press conferences from the 2006 Women’s Frozen Four. Wisconsin-SLU Press Conference Participants Mark Johnson (Head Coach, University of Wisconsin) Sharon Cole (Player, University of Wisconsin) Kate Michael (Player, St. Lawrence University) Paul Flanagan (Head Coach, St. Lawrence University) Wisconsin-SLU Opening Comments Johnson: First of all, I’d like … Read more

2006 Midwest Regional Preview

Wisconsin’s tale of two seasons could turn into a triad of pieces this weekend. The Badgers, who dominated college hockey in the first half of 2005-06, saw the wheels come off in the wake of goaltender Brian Elliott’s practice injury, and matters didn’t get any better when Elliott was initially ineffective on his return. But … Read more

A Hometown ‘Dog

After a slow start, the two-time defending NCAA champion Gophers found their way back home for the 2006 Women’s Frozen Four.

2006 East Regional Preview

The battle for the last No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament this season was resolved last Saturday in favor of Michigan State, which won the Mason Cup to edge ECACHL tournament champion Harvard for the honors in Albany. Those two teams — the No. 4 and No. 5 overall seeds this season — face … Read more