The WCHA got a record six teams into the NCAA field of 16 and I complained bitterly that Minnesota State Mankato should have been in there, too, instead of Wisconsin or Notre Dame, which was the last at-large team to sneak in.

Sorry Irish. I was wrong. I watched much of the Notre Dame vs. Michigan game on Thursday night. The Irish had a 3-0 lead, then Michigan caught up. Then Notre Dame led 4-3, and the Wolverines tied it.

Seemed like heavily favored Michigan would win. But noooo. A player from Sweden who had three goals all season scores twice and Notre Dame wins 5-4 in overtime.

Unbelievable. This is the Irish’s first trip to the Frozen Four, maybe they don’t know what they are supposed to do: lose.

It was also fun to see Dave Hanson, one of the Hanson brothers in the famous hockey movie Slapshot. He has a son, Christian, a 6-4, 225-pound junior, playing for the Irish and Dave was on TV between periods. But what’s with the long hair? Looks goofy on a 50-some guy.

North Dakota was the last WCHA team standing and got smoked by Boston College 6-1 in the first semifinal. Ouch. The Gophers lost to BC 5-2, and the last goal was into an empty net.

The CCHA is the conference that has really made a strong showing in this tournament. Both Notre Dame and Michigan are Central Collegiate Hockey Association teams. The Irish finished fourth in the standings, Michigan was first.

And Miami, which was second, should have beaten BC in the Northeast Regional final. The RedHawks played better in the overtime but lost 4-3.

The Hobey Baker Award will be given out Friday night. Kevin Porter of Michigan is the heavy favorite. BC’s Nathan Gerbe, who had a hat trick against the Fighting Sioux, is another candidate, and the third is Ryan Jones of Miami who recently signed with the Wild.

Porter is supposed to be the heavy favorite.

Notre Dame has a roster filled with former USHL players, 20 in all. Wonder if the Irish’s success will have even more college teams going after those slightly older players. Wouldn’t be surprised if the Gophers look at USHL goalies to find a replacement for Jeff Frazee who recently signed with the New Jersey Devils.

Alex Kangas had so much success this season, moving from the USHL to the WCHA. That also might get U coaches thinking USHL.

So the NCAA final is set: Notre Dame vs. BC on Saturday. On the surface, it appears to be a mismatch. But emotion can take a team places. Hope it is a good game and not 6-1.

Wonder how many of the talented juniors on the Fighting Sioux will now turn pro, the Oshies, Finleys, Chorneys, etc.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 10th, 2008 at 11:37 pm and is filed under Gophers men's hockey. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.