Thoughts from Friday – Lucky Number?

Friday was its usual mishmash of practices, events and awards. Some random observations: A nice turnout as usual at the team practices. Both teams looked loose. The question on most people’s minds was why every player on the Fighting Irish wears a “7” on the back of their practice jersey. Junior Luke Lucyk wore Number … Read more

The Pairwise Is Right

Any time you pick an NCAA field, there’ll be complaining from teams and fans who disagree with the selections or the seedings. This year was no exception, as Wisconsin and Notre Dame, a couple of teams that struggled down the stretch, got invites based on the objective system used by the NCAA Ice Hockey Committee. … Read more

Irish Fight On!

Notre Dame continues it magical ride with a 5-4 overtime win over favored Michigan. At 5:44 of overtime, Dan Venard’s shot was stopped by Hogan, but he left a big rebound for Calle Ridderwall, who beat the Michigan goaltender low-stick. The fourth line and third set of “D” come through for the Irish, who will … Read more

Free Hockey

We’re going to overtime between Michigan and Notre Dame, tied 4-4. Shots on goal in regulation: 29-21 in favor of the Wolverines. Next goal wins.

Trading Goals

After being held to just seven shots on goal over a period and a half, Notre Dame broke through with a nifty goal by Kevin Deeth, who took a neat feed from Dan Kissel and came in all alone on Hogan, beating him stick side. That made it 4-3 Irish. But with 5:21 to play, … Read more

Too Many…

Men on the ice for Note Dame resulted in a power play for the Wolverines, and Chad Kolarik batted a bouncing puck out of midair past Pearce to complete the comeback. We’re tied at three each.

3-2 after Two

It’s setting up to be an exciting third period with the Irish clinging to a 3-2 lead. If Michigan comes back to win, Red Berenson’s move to replace Sauer will look mighty smart. I don’t think Sauer was playing that badly, but it sure woke up the Wolverines .

Back in the Game

Wow. Just like that, the Wolverines have come to life. Chad Kolarik and Matt Rust scored 15 seconds apart to cut the Irish lead to one. Kolarik’s goal was a beauty from the high slot, and Rust banked in a rebound off the pads of Irish netminder Jordan Pearce into the net. 3-2 Fighting Irish … Read more

Hogan’s Heroes?

Billy Sauer appears to be done for the evening, as Bryan Hogan has started the second period in net for the Wolverines. Hogan last saw action back on March 1 against Ferris State. Hogan has appeared in five games this season. This building has not been kind to Sauer, who gave up seven goals on … Read more

Wild Thang! 3-0 Irish After One

Michigan had better get it in gear or we’re going to have an all-Catholic final. With just 34 seconds to go in the first period, Ryan Thang went end-to-end, beating Sauer near-post with a nifty backhand. Shots after one period: 11-9 in favor of Michigan.

Quick Turnaround – Wolverines and Fighting Irish

And after only a 50 minute break, we’re back in action with Michigan and Notre Dame underway. Here are your lineups: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Visiting Team) Forwards: Kissel–Deeth–Rankin Thang–Ryan-Van Guilder Regan–Hanson–Minella Rudderwall–White–Guentzel Defense: Sheahan–Ruth Cole–Lawson Blatchford–VeNard Goal: Pearce Michigan Wolverines (Home Team) Forwards: Pacioretty–Porter–Kolarik Hagelin–Rust–Palushaj Winnett–Caporusso–Turnbull Farrdig–Miller–Naurato Defense: Mitra–Vaughan Summers–Llewellyn Langlais–Kampfer Goal: Sauer And … Read more

Mark of the Beast…of the East

And 6-1 is your final with Jake Marto ruining John Muse’s shutout with 1:16 to play. Boston College has now defeated North Dakota in three straight NCAA semifinals, scoring six goals each time. 6-6-6…hmmm. The mark of the beast…of the East. Stay tuned for postgame thoughts and then your all-CCHA semifinal.

First Period Update

Problems with the internet here at Pepsi Center, but we’re back now…for how long, I don’t know. But hey, it’s 4-0 BC, with Nathan Gerbe tallying twice so far for the Eagles. Lamoureux has not looked sharp so far for the Sioux, especially on the third BC goal… three of the four looked to me … Read more

Breeding Contempt?

Boston College has ended North Dakota’s season each of the past two years in this very game – the NCAA semifinals. In 2005 North Dakota ended BC’s season in the regional final. But is that enough to make a rivalry? “I think it’s a different feeling,” said BC defenseman Mike Brennan yesterday. “I mean, playing … Read more

Warming Up…Lining Up

Warmups are underway at the Pepsi Center. Here’s your line charts for today’s game: Boston College (Visiting Team) Forwards: Gerbe–Gibbons–Smith Price–Bertram–Gannon (starting) Whitney–Greene–Ferriero Kucharski–Lombardi–Orpik Defense: Aiello-Brennan Filangieri-Kunes Petrecki-Sneep (starting) Goal: Muse North Dakota (Home Team) Forwards: Duncan–Oshie–Kozek Watkins–Kaip–Frattin (starting) Miller–VandeVelde–Martens Radke–Zajac–Malone Defense: Chorney–Bina Finley–Genoway (starting) Jones–Marto Goal: Lamoureux

The Early Bird…

…has no life? It’s still two hours until they drop the puck here in Denver, but I and most of the USCHO crew are on site. I’m up in the pressbox, testing the wireless, which is going to be kind of important in terms of liveblogging ;). I’m the only one up here now, looking … Read more

Here We Go

Welcome to the 2008 edition of the Frozen Four Blog. It’s my pleasure again to bring you an up-to-the-minute account of the goings on in Denver. While the real action doesn’t start until tomorrow, our coverage begins today as the four teams practice and hold press conferences. Michigan is at the podium right now, the … Read more