Published: March 29, 2011
The Hot Spot for Hockey Will Be At The NCAA Finals in St. Paul
By Raymond Rolak
24th Frozen Four for University of Michigan
Part of the attraction for the 2011 NCAA Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minnesota include all the auxiliary events scheduled. It is the 'sizzle with the steak', as one might say in merchandising parlance. The teams are already in place and the University of Minnesota as host school is well experienced in conducting NCAA finals. Any of the four schools can win at the Xcel Energy Center.
The American Hockey Coaches Association will announce the Division-I All-America teams. The 30th Hobey Baker Award winner will also be announced. The landscape of college hockey will be discussed and dissected throughout the week-end.
The atmosphere at the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Finals will be festive and spirited. It is a repeated vacation destination for many hockey buffs and sportsmen.
The legacies of Minnesota hockey legends John Mariucci and Herb Brooks will be rightfully celebrated. After a few beers the locals will try and convince anyone who will listen that the best college hockey is played in Minnesota. The announcement of the Big Ten Hockey Conference and recent events transpiring at the storied Michigan State program will be chewed and rehashed over and over.
As in years past, a hot goalie can carry a team. Last year in Detroit, Jerry York and Boston College won with speed-speed-speed. Notre Dame (25-13-5) and Minnesota-Duluth (24-10-6) will play in one national semifinal on Thursday, April 7, and the other semifinal will have Michigan (28-10-4) and North Dakota (32-8-3) squaring off. Because of college hockey parity, it is my prediction that overtime will take place in at least one of the contests.
Notre Dame has a young team and coach Jeff Jackson said, "For this group to accomplish what they have this year with so many young kids, it's just incredible."
Minnesota-Duluth was the first to claim a spot in the Frozen Four, by besting Yale 5-3 in the East Regional. Michigan made it by getting past Colorado College 2-1 in the West Regional. North Dakota rolled over Denver 6-1 in the Midwest Regional. Notre Dame completed the group as they squeaked by New Hampshire in the Northeast Regional.
The Michigan and North Dakota game will be compelling. After winning the West Regional, veteran Michigan coach Red Berenson said, "Well, that's why we are here, because of our seniors. These guys have been the glue on our team, the leader's right from day one. They were the only ones in the Frozen Four and that was a good experience for them. Our team was picked to finish high in the league mostly because of our senior class." Berenson is in his 27th season at Michigan. That accumulated experience is quiet an edge for the Wolverines and this will be the 11th time taking his team to the Frozen Four.
North Dakota is the top ranked team in the country and this is the fifth time North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol has taken a team to the Frozen Four in his seven seasons as Sioux head coach.
There will be a College Hockey Fan Fest in St. Paul on West 7th Street, walking distance from the Xcel Energy Center. Hockey history, music, skills contests, video games and interactive displays will be featured. The pep-bands from the respective schools are scheduled and the winners of the 'Science of Hockey' video contest will be announced.
The traditional lobbyists will attempt to advocate which conference is best with no success. All in all, the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Finals and related events are still one of the best sporting attractions offered. It is even a greater experience for the participating players. The good folks in the communities around Minneapolis and St. Paul will make sure everyone develops some great memories.
Hospitality is part of the local fabric and it is the biggest reason that the Twin Cities experience special will be special for all those that attend. And as they say so affectionately in the area, "You Betcha."
EDITORS NOTE: Raymond Rolak has covered Men's NCAA Ice Hockey Finals since 1976.
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