NCAA Division I Men Ice Hockey Frozen Four

The teams are set for the NCAA Division I Men Ice Hockey Frozen Four. The games are to be played April 10 and 12 in Denver, Colorado. The semi-finals to be broadcast on ESPN2 at 6 PM and 9 PM ET and the championship game on ESPN at 7 PM ET. Check schedule here.

Here are the pairings for the semi-final games:

Michigan vs Notre Dame

North Dakota vs Boston College

Update: 31 March 2008 4:35 PM ET:

Times have been announced for the semi-final games at ESPNU.  Update schedule is here.  North Dakota-Boston College will be the first semi-final game followed by the Michigan-Notre Dame semi-final game.  ESPN360.com will also broadcast the games.

NCAA Final Four

Just saw the last 16 seconds of the Davidson-Kansas game on CBS.  What tension!  Kansas wins 59-57.  A close call for the Jayhawks.  All the other number one seeds had it easy.  But, this could make the Jayhawks more prepared for the North Carolina game.

So, all number one seeds made it.  A first for the Final Four.

Kansas vs North Carolina

UCLA vs Memphis

Sunday NCAA Frozen Four Regional Finals

Was going to report the final of the BC-Miami (OH) game, but the game is going in overtime, tied 3-3. BC played some great hockey in the 2nd period, scoring 3 goals in 1:58 to take the lead 3-2 after 2 periods. But, Miami (OH) scored the tying goal in the 3rd period. Has been a great game.

The North Dakota-Wisconsin game has just began. So, more updates later tonight.

Current brackets at ESPNU here.

Update 30 March 2008 7:36 PM ET

BC wins, 4-3. BC scores the winner in overtime on only their third shot 12:12 into the first overtime. Miami (OH) out played BC in the overtime period, but when BC took a timeout about half into overtime, this made the difference. It got the BC players back to playing hockey. A tough loss for Miami (OH) who are again denied a chance in the Frozen Four. BC is still undefeated when they score 4 goals and the their head coach wins for 801st time in his career. BC will play the winner of North Dakota-Wisconsin game.

I expected the North Dakota-Wisconsin game to be played just like the BC-Miami (OH) game. Hopefully, it will not go to overtime, too.

Update 30 March 2008 9:40 PM ET

Well, I should have expected it. North Dakota-Wisconsin will be going to overtime as well. North Dakota was being out played after 40 minutes of play and down 2-0, when within 47 seconds, they scored two goals and pulled even with Wisconsin at 2-2. It has been another entertaining hockey game. Hopefully, the game will be decided quickly in overtime.

Update 30 March 2008 9:56 PM ET

Yes! It is over. North Dakota scores the winning goal off the face off to win 3-2 over Wisconsin. North Dakota advances to the Frozen Four.

Updates on these games tomorrow.

Update 31 March 2008 4:30 PM ET:

North Dakota-Wisconsin post-game interviews at ESPNU here.

BC-Miami (OH) article at NCAA.com here.

Right Here Waiting For You – Richard Marx

As I wait for the NCAA Division I Frozen Four Regional Finals later today, I thought it would be a refreshing break to listen to another artist from the 1980s.  As we move forward into spring, Richard Marx’s Right Here Waiting For You is an excellent ballad for those who are starting up a new relationship or working to keep the current relationship  going through any difficult times.  I believe that Mr Marx had about 12 Number One Hits during the 1980s and 1990s. Take a listen to this hit:

I’m sure my long distance friend would appreciate this song.  Do you have anyone you want to hear this song?

Saturday NCAA Frozen Four Regional Finals

Michigan advances to the Frozen Four with a tough fought win over Clarkson 2-0 in the East Regional Final. The last three minutes of the game were exciting. Clarkson had two man advantage for over a minute, but were not able to put in the net. Congratulations to Michigan.

Next game is the CCHA battle between defending champion Michigan State and Notre Dame on ESPNU at 10 PM ET. The lowest seeds advanced in the West Regional Final. Should be a good game as well.

Current brackets at ESPNU here.

Update 30 March 2008 7:35 AM ET:

Notre Dame defeats Michigan State, 3-1, to advance to the Frozen Four and face another CCHA rival, Michigan. First four seed to advance to the Frozen Four. Norte Dame is finding it scoring touch as they have 10 different players scoring their 10 goals in the first two games of the tournament. NCAA.com has post game story here. ESPNU video review here.

ESPNU video review of Clarkson-Michigan here.

Michigan-Notre Dame semi-final game should be a good a game on April 10. Watch it on ESPN2.

Saturday NCAA Frozen Four Regional Semis

In the first game in the Midwest Regional, top-seed North Dakota defeated Princeton, 5-1. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU March 30 12:30 PM ET. I only saw the first half of the game, but this game was closer than the score indicates. So, check out the replay tomorrow.

Top-seed Miami (OH) and Air Force Academy are deadlock at 2-2, heading into overtime. Could impact the ESPNU schedule tonight with the Regional Finals.

Boston College-Minnesota and Denver-Wisconsin games on ESPN360.com. So, updates coming later tonight for these regional games.

The current brackets at ESPNU here.

Update 29 March 2008 7:00 PM ET

Miami (OH) wins it in overtime, 3-2. The game winner was a sweet goal right under the crossbar. Air Force played a great game. Sure was difficult to lose this game.

ESPNU schedule should be okay tonight for the Regional Finals.

Early in the 1st period, Wisconsin has the early lead, 1-0, over Denver.

Update 29 March 2008 8:15 PM ET

After two periods, Wisconsin has the lead, 2-1, over Denver. Upset brewing here in the Midwest Regional?

Early in the first period, BC leads 1-0 over Minnesota in the Northeast Regional. BC is a really fast team. This team could make the final again for third straight year. Could they win it?

Update 29 March 2008 9:10 PM ET

Wisconsin becomes the third number three seed to win. They defeated WCHA rival Denver 6-2. It was another game that was well played by both teams through 2 1/2 periods despite the score. Another WCHA battle tomorrow in the Midwest Regional final, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

Update 29 March 2008 9:23 PM ET

BC leads 2-1 over Minnesota after 2 periods. Should be a greating ending to another great game. Taking a break to watch Clarkson-Michigan.

Update 29 March 2008 10:26 PM ET

BC wins 5-2. It was an entertaining game. They will be playing Miami (OH) tomorrow afternoon on ESPNU.

Update 30 March 2008 7:30 AM ET

BC-Minnesota post game story at NCAA.com here. ESPNU wrap-up here.

AFA-Miami (OH) post game story at NCAA.com here. ESPNU wrap-up here.

Midwest Regional video wrap up at ESPNU here.

Friday NCAA Frozen Four Regional Semis

Some upsets already on the first day of the NCAA Frozen Four Regional Semi games in Albany, NY and Colorado Springs, CO.

Clarkson upsets St Cloud State 2-1 in the afternoon East Regional semi game. Details at NCAA.com here.

Notre Dame upsets West Regional top-seed New Hampshire, 7-3 in the first game in Colorado Springs. Notre Dame found their scoring touch at the right time. If you did not catch the action on ESPN360, it will be broadcast tonight at 1 AM ET on ESPNU following the Michigan State-Colorado College game. NCAA Gametracker results here.

In the later games, East Regional top-seed Michigan currently leads Niagara 2-0 after two periods. Michigan State and Colorado College starts at 10 PM ET.

Updates on these games later. Gametracker available at NCAA.com here.

Friday scores at ESPNU here. Check for results of each regional at ESPNU here. NCAA.com scoreboard here.

Winners play Saturday night live on EPSNU. East Regional Final at 7 PM ET. West Regional Regional Final at 10 PM ET.

Update 28 March 2008 10 PM ET

Michigan defeats Niagara, 5-1. Kevin Porter of Michigan scores 4 goals as top-seed Michigan advances to play Clarkston tomorrow evening.

Update 29 March 2008 7:15 AM ET

Defending Champion Michigan State defeats host Colorado College, 3-1. NCAA.com story here. Notre Dame-New Hampshire story here. Michigan States plays Notre Dame this evening at 10 PM ET.

Preview of Clarkson-Michigan game at ESPNU here.