Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Frozen Four viewing, reading

We're just two days away from the Frozen Four, and the excitement is building. The first game on the Ford Field ice rink was played between media and some old-timers. The video gives a pretty good view of what the seating is going to be like at the Detroit Lions football stadium. Read the Detroit Free Press' breakdown of the semifinals here.

The closest local connection to this weekend's games is RIT senior Sean Murphy, who is an Owatonna native. In a recent story about the Cinderella Tigers, Murphy said he turned down Notre Dame in favor of RIT.

RIT will take on WCHA-power Wisconsin (PucKato's pick to win the tourney). Madison.com's Badger hockey page has all kinds of stories on the upcoming event, including one on Wisconsin overcoming early departures since their last national title in 2006, and another on captain Blake Geoffrion's surprise spot in the Hobey hat trick.

Miami might be the sentimental favorite to win. Not only were the Redhawks a minute away from last year's title, only to allow two goals and then lose to Boston University in overtime, but they are playing for their late manager, Brendan Burke, son of NHL general manager Brian Burke. Brendan was killed in a car accident on Feb. 5. Sports Illustrated ran one of the best stories I've read in quite some time about Brian Burke and his son prior to the Olympics.

The team that seems to be flying under the radar this week is Boston College. But the Eagles still have players remaining from the 2008 championship.

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