Denver Awarded 2012 Women's Hoops Final Four

From: Rocky Mountain News

by Pat Rooney

The NCAA and Metro Denver Sports Commission on Friday announced that Denver has been selected as the site of the 2012 Women's Basketball Final Four.

The event, which will be staged at the Pepsi Center, follows a string of successful marquee NCAA events in Denver, including the Frozen Four hockey tournament and men's basketball opening-round games in the spring, as well as the 2007 hockey West Regional.

Denver was one of eight cities vying for five women's Final Four tournaments. It will mark only the fifth time since the women's Final Four began in 1982 that the tournament will be staged west of Texas, and it will be the first time it will be in the Mountain time zone.

Selling out the Frozen Four and setting attendance records at the 2007 West Regional only helped the presentation committee's cause.

Other cities selected to host women's Final Four tournaments were New Orleans in 2013, Nashville, Tenn., in 2014, Tampa, Fla., in 2015 and Indianapolis in 2016.

"Denver is an exciting and appealing city," said Jacki Silar, chairwoman of the Division I women's basketball committee. "We know coaches and fans will enjoy the time they're going to spend at the Final Four in 2012.

"The committee was impressed by the accessibility in downtown Denver. We know fans will have numerous options to choose from."

Notre Dame Takes Out Post Ad To Thank Denver

(above) The ad appeared in the Post's Sports Section today

The Notre Dame hockey program took out an ad in today's Denver Post to thank DU, the Denver Sports Commission, the Avalanche & Pepsi Center among others for a "great Frozen Four."

Needless to say Notre Dame is a class act.

DJ Powers Interviews Eric Ehn For LetsGoDU

(above) Peter Mannino and Air Force player Eric Ehn chat during the Skills Competition last Friday

YouTube Video of Ehn's Nifty Penalty Shot at Skills Competition

Editors Note: D.J. Powers of Hockey's Future.com & Future Considerations.com writes articles about NHL prospects. In the past she's written exclusive articles for LetsGoDU about DU hockey alums at the Snoopy Old-Timers Tournament and interviewed former Pioneer Adrian Veideman. As the Frozen Four approached we asked her to write an article or two with a DU theme for us to publish in LetsGoDU. Yesterday she interviewed DU Captain Andy Thomas. Today's interview is with Air Force star Eric Ehn.

Q & A with Eric Ehn
By: DJ Powers
Special to Let’s Go DU

Eric Ehn has just completed a stellar career at the Air Force Academy that included being the first player in the program’s history to be named a Hobey Hat Trick finalist in 2007. He helped guide the Falcons to two consecutive Atlantic Hockey tournament championships and with them berths into the NCAA Tournament. He finishes a record-setting career at the Air Force Academy with 146 points in 133 career games. Earlier this season, Ehn missed 14 games due to a leg injury. During last Friday’s Skills Challenge at the Pepsi Center in Denver, he was named the Top Skills Performer.

Following the Skills Challenge, Eric Ehn took time out for this interview.

Q: First of all, how are you doing?

EE: I’m doing alright. I’m starting to get my health back, which is nice. It makes sports possible, which I love.

Q: How is your leg?

EE: It’s a little sore after this. I did some skating. I love to come out and skate and have fun out here, so I paid the price a little.

Q: I know that you were in the puck relay and you seemed to get around those pylons or whatever they call those things really well.

EE: Oh, those things were a little sneaky there around the red line, but I navigated it fine there apparently, but I almost went down. It was a lot of fun. Man, we got smoked. I’m not sure why. I think their (East team) cones were a little tighter or something like that.

Q: So what else were you in tonight?

EE: I was in the fastest skater competition, for me – not a chance! (Laughs) But I was in the breakaway, so that was fun.

Q: Tell me what it’s like for you to be here skating again and having that camaraderie again?

EE: That’s the one thing that you don’t realize that you miss so much, is the guys and hanging out with them after the game. Then they give you a weekend of it and kind of tease you a little bit. It makes you realize that you need to get on another team fast because these experiences disappear.

Q: You’ll be leaving the Air Force Academy soon, so what’s next for you?

EE: I’ll be serving in the Air Force and if hockey opportunities present themselves, I’ll try and follow them.

Q: Do you have an (Air Force) assignment yet?

EE: Yeah, Santa Barbara, CA

Q: So what will you be doing?

EE: I’ll be in space and missiles training. I’m not sure which avenue that they’ll be sending me down yet, but it should be interesting and definitely informative.

Q: So where will you be stationed at?

EE: Vandenberg.

Q: How long will you be stationed there?

EE: For a year and then I’ll get reassigned.

Q: Are any of your teammates going with you?

EE: Yeah, five of them…or four of them.

Q: Really? So who is going with you?

EE: (Ian) Harper, (Bryan) Becker, (Josh) Print and (Matt) Charbonneau

Q: You mentioned hockey opportunities earlier. Have you had anyone calling you?

EE: Not that I know about. You’d have to ask Frank (Serratore)

Q: When you do leave the Academy, what are you going to miss the most aside from attending and playing for them?

EE: I’m going to miss the guys and the camaraderie. You get used to the four-year dorms and always having your buddies around. That’ll be tough to start a new life and a new lifestyle, but I think I’m ready for it.

Q: What will you take with you from the Air Force Academy experience, both on and off the ice?

EE: I think that there are too many things to throw my finger on one thing. But if I had to say something, It would be just maturity and getting prepared for life. They do a really good job of presenting you with difficult situations and stresses on your life, and time management becomes key. You really got to have your ‘X’s and ‘O’s together and cross your ‘T’s and dot your ‘I’s It’s mostly positive stuff. They just kind of test you all the time to make sure that you’re ready.

Q: Finally, now that you’ll be leaving the Academy soon and after everything that you’ve accomplished there, what would you like to be best remembered for?

EE: I don’t know. I guess the poster that we had this year kind of summed it all up really well – Championship Foundation. All the seniors are pretty proud to have been there for the back-to-back (Atlantic Hockey) titles. We’re happy that there are championship teams, and just kind of living at the Air Force Academy now. That’s something. We’re struggling with recruiting, deficits that we have to other schools, and standards whipped up on that level. But if we get some more championships under our belts, hopefully the program will stay strong.

College Hockey News Praises Denver Frozen Four

(above) Boston College players salute their fans in the Pepsi Center on Saturday night

Photo Credit: Melissa Wade

From: College Hockey News
by Adam Wodon

DENVER — There are always quibbles with every tournament. Fans can quibble with the pairings, the teams, the criteria, the calls that went against their team. The media types quibble with some arena issue, or the lack of ring dings at the press meal.

But all in all, this was a fantastic NCAA tournament, capped by a fantastic venue for the Frozen Four. The Pepsi Center and the city of Denver really did a good job with the event. There can always be improvements, but the setup was strong and the city responded.

It was particularly nice to see the Pepsi Center full for the championship game. In some cities, fans leave in droves after their team doesn't win, and the after-market doesn't fill all the spots. But this year, the arena was packed for the title game, and it was a great atmosphere. Credit the city patrons and the fans of losing teams that stuck around.

Inside College Hockey.com Weighed In As Well

A Mile-High stick salute to the NCAA, the Denver Metro Sports Commission, and the University of Denver for the job it did in organizing this year’s Frozen Four. If it wasn’t the best-run Frozen in recent memory, it’s very high on the list. Special mention to University of Denver media relations director Erich Bacher, one of the college game’s really good guys.

Photos From NCAA Skills Competition

(above) "The Colorado Contingent." Thomas, Mannino & Air Force's Eric Ehn (#16)

(above) Mannino starred for the West in the shootout

(above) Thomas won the Accurate Shooter Competition for the West

(above) More than a few jaws dropped when Andrew Thomas stopped the clock at 4.55 in the fastest skater competition

More Skills Competition Photos

Photo Credit: S. Victoria

The Story Behind Denver Landing The Frozen Four

(above) Jon Schmieder, executive director of the Metro Denver Sports Commission, helped land the Frozen Four in Denver

From: Rocky Mountain News

by Clay Latimer

.

There was no room for quiet contemplation Thursday night at the Pepsi Center.

It was opening day of the Frozen Four hockey tournament, Michigan and Notre Dame were in overtime, 18,000 fans were on their feet, dueling student bands were blaring away, and thousands of puckheads from across the Frost Belt were grinning like school kids on holiday.

Watching it unfold was Jon Schmieder, executive director of the Metro Denver Sports Commission, the group that lured the first national championship game to the Pepsi Center - Boston College meets Notre Dame tonight - and the first in Denver since the 1990 men's Final Four at McNichols Sports Arena.

By Sunday morning it will all be over. Either the Fighting Irish or Eagles will be getting ready to leave with the championship trophy, and ESPN will be packing its cameras.

But Schmieder still will be hustling, still working the phone to persuade big wheels in other sports to come to Denver.

Hockey has come a long way since 1961, when the NCAA tournament averaged 4,832 fans a game at the old University of Denver Arena, and in 1976, when 5,311 watched the final at DU.

Yet 11 of the past 12 Frozen Fours have been sellouts - Anaheim, Calif., in 1999 was the exception - and in 2010 players will lace up their skates at Ford Field in Detroit, an NFL venue that will seat about 70,000.

In fact, hockey usually ranks third on the NCAA's list of most profitable tournaments, behind the men's Final Four and College World Series.

"The Frozen Four was in Utica (N.Y.) my senior year (in 1962)," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "It was the difference between one of the lowest professional leagues and the NHL. There wasn't a lot of fanfare - it was pretty much a nonevent. There was no TV coverage, no video, no interest. . . . It's night and day compared to what it was then."

Today, there are 59 Division I teams, 19 more than in 1990. Nearly one-quarter of current NHL players come from college programs. And the competition to host the Frozen Four is more intense than ever, with the NCAA seeking arenas that seat at least 18,000. It received 13 bids for the 2009 event, with Washington, D.C., the eventual winner, sending 10 representatives.

When Schmieder made his pitch five years ago, he drew on Colorado's rich hockey heritage - the first 10 tournaments took place in Colorado Springs - to offset the fact Denver has eight professional sports teams, a potential problem should the University of Denver, Colorado College and Air Force fail to qualify, which turned out to be the case.

"We said that by the time 2008 comes around, the college hockey championships 'will not have come to Colorado in 32 years. Yet this event was founded in Colorado, birthed in Colorado.' Our closing pitch was: 'This is our tournament. This is our event. It's time that it comes home.' The committee said: 'You know, I think you're right.'

"This event was sold out almost a year ago. We only distributed 2,800 (tickets) inside the state. The other 15,000 and change are outside the border of this state, (many) to people who make the trip every year. These are people who say, 'I'm going to Denver regardless of who's playing, because I want to see good hockey. I want to see Denver and I don't want to break my string. I've been to 10, 11 in a row.'

"This is their vacation. This is their Final Four, their Super Bowl. I know the Colorado Avs and NHL would (refute it), but this is the biggest event in hockey every year."

Roy Hilts certainly agrees. The 47- year-old Maine resident has attended all but one Frozen Four since 1994, joining a nomadic party that also includes fans from Minnesota, Wisconsin, St. Cloud State, Providence, North Dakota, Cornell, Michigan . . .

"I'd say there's probably 1,000 people from Maine here," he said. "I come just because it's great hockey. They're not getting paid - so there's no incentive to play hard every shift except love of the game."

Big attraction

Will 70,000 fans show up for the 2010 Frozen Four title game?

It's possible, because college hockey's marquee event will be played that year at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. A temporary rink will be placed in the middle of the football field, with a seating plan that could bring fans right up to the glass.

"If you can get the kind of fan following in your sport, why not do it?" Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson said. "It's not just about revenue; it's about selling the sport and having as many fans as possible get to see it."

Added Michigan coach Red Berenson: "It could be an unbelievable event."

In 2001, a crowd of 74,544 watched Michigan play Michigan State on a temporary rink in the middle of the Michigan State football field, despite near-freezing temperatures.

But if neither Michigan nor Michigan State advance to the tournament, many worry there will be thousands of empty seats. Purists might not like the idea, either. But the Frozen Four isn't afraid to venture into new territory; the 2012 event will take place in Tampa, Fla.

"They're pushing the envelope," said Jon Schmieder, executive director of the Metro Denver Sports Commission.

Mannino & Thomas In Skills Competition Tonight

(above) Denver fans will have a chance today to say goodbye to Peter Mannino & Andrew Thomas

Skills Competition at 7 pm MST on ESPNU

From: Denver Postby Mike Chambers

We haven't seen the last of University of Denver seniors Peter Mannino and Andrew Thomas.

Mannino, who completed his magnificent career March 28 when the Pioneers lost a first-round NCAA Tournament game to Wisconsin, will put on his pads one more time as a collegian Friday night. DU captain Thomas will join him one last time.

The 2005 Frozen Four MVP and DU's all-time leader in shutouts (15) is scheduled to participate in the Frozen Four Skills Challenge at The Can.

Colorado College senior wing Jimmy Kilpatrick and Air Force senior center Eric Ehn also were selected to participate in the event that will cap a busy Frozen Four "off" day.

Team practices will be open to the public beginning at 11:15 a.m., and after the "College Hockey Celebration" at nearby Skyline Park, "Friday Night at the Frozen Four" goes from 4:30 to 9 p.m. inside the Pepsi Center.

There will be a player autograph session, followed by the Hobey Baker Award and Hockey Humanitarian Award presentations, and then the Skills Challenge.

Tickets for the event are $10 and available at the Pepsi Center box office or Ticketmaster outlets. The Hobey Baker and Skills Challenge segments will be televised live by ESPNU.

The Frozen Four Skills Challenge will begin at 7 p.m. and will be preceded by the presentations of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award at 5:30 p.m. and the Hockey Humanitarian Award at 6:05 p.m. The Frozen Four Skills Challenge and the Hobey Baker Award will both be televised live on ESPNU.

FRIDAY

Team practices (open to the public)

11:15 a.m.: Boston College

12:30 p.m.: Notre Dame

1:30 - 4 p.m.: College hockey celebration at Skyline Park featuring Opie Gone Bad

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Hobey Hat Trick autograph signing

4:30 - 9 p.m.: Friday Night at the Frozen Four

• Championship teams autograph signing

• Hobey Baker Memorial Award presentation

• Hockey Humanitarian Award presentation

• Skills Challenge (ESPNU)

• Autograph session featuring Skills Challenge participants

FSN-Rocky Mountain's Hockey Week

Last night Fox Sports Net-Rocky Mountain broadcast a feature on DU’s Back-to-Back Hockey National Championships. The segment was part of Hockey Week on FSN Live (10 PM) as the network highlighted the DU Pioneers, Colorado Avalanche and the Frozen Four in Denver.

Unfortunately, we were unable to post the link in time to give you advance notice. We'll do better in the future.

North Dakota Fans Descend On Denver

(left) North Dakota star T.J. Oshie is an annual fixture on the LetsGoDU Bad Boyz list

From: Denver Post
by Ton Kensler

The fandom stretches to Denver, where more than 3,600 North Dakota alumni live, according to school officials. Many will try to squeeze inside Brooklyn's restaurant across from the Pepsi Center for a pregame Fighting Sioux rally today. All 137 seats on a charter flight from Grand Forks were sold out within hours.

While the Fighting Sioux play in Denver, their campus home, the $104 million Ralph Engelstad Arena, is hosting the 2008 men's curling world championships.

But the big news for Grand Forks residents is that part of the facility has been transformed into the 2,000-seat Broken Broom Lounge, where everybody can gather today to watch the telecast of the Frozen Four — and on Saturday, as well, if the Fighting Sioux advance to the championship game.

"Sounds like fun," Hakstol said. "(But) there's only one place I'd rather be — that's here."

Complete Frozen Four coverage including photos @ Denver Post Website

Denver Frozen Four Begins Today

(above) BC practices at the Pepsi Center yesterday

Frozen Four Events & Parties

The University of Denver will host an event for all alumni, students, friends and fans before the 1st semi-final of the Frozen Four. Appetizers & beverages will be available.

More details on event

Frozen Four Pre-Party
Thursday, April 10th
2-4 PM
Wynkoop Brewery in LoDo
1634 18th St. Denver, CO 80202

A List Of This Week's Frozen Four Activities

WEDNESDAY

Team practices (open to the public)

11 a.m.: Boston College

12:15 p.m.: North Dakota

1:30 p.m.: Notre Dame

2:45 p.m.: Michigan

THURSDAY

Semifinals

4 p.m.: Boston College (23-11-8) vs. North Dakota (28-10-4), ESPN2

7 p.m.: Notre Dame (26-15-4) vs. Michigan (33-5-4), ESPN2

FRIDAY

Team practices (open to the public)

11:15 a.m.: Winner of semifinal Game 1

12:30 p.m.: Winner of semifinal Game 2

1:30 - 4 p.m.: College hockey celebration at Skyline Park featuring Opie Gone Bad

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.: Hobey Hat Trick autograph signing

4:30 - 9 p.m.: Friday Night at the Frozen Four

• Championship teams autograph signing

• Hobey Baker Memorial Award presentation

• Hockey Humanitarian Award presentation

• Skills Challenge (ESPNU)

• Autograph session featuring Skills Challenge participants

SATURDAY

8 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Youth clinic at the Ritchie Center on the University of Denver campus

Noon - 2 p.m.: Public open skate

5 p.m., ESPN - Championship game

2 Frozen Four Tix @ Face Value

Update: Tickets were SOLD in 17 minutes

One of our readers had 2 tix for the Final Four, section 320 row 9 (behind the goal) - face value $300. She has had 3 buyers flake and not show up at the arranged time/place. They wanted to go but their cat needs surgery next week so they need the $ for that.

dg - First come, first served. She's sold them at face value, so we wanted to help her out.

Frozen Four Tickets Could Be Hard To Come By

I've received several emails from fans wondering about availability of Frozen Four tickets. On the surface the Denver Frozen Four should have an abundance of tickets available due to the distance and cost of travelling from the East Coast, the local teams flaming out in the first round of the Regionals and only one WCHA team making the field. That might still be the case, but anecdotal tales I'm hearing is that that the turnout is going to be far stronger than Columbus and St. Louis.

The best chance of landing tickets is going to be the Ticket Forum on USCHO or the internet ticket brokers. If you wait until the day of the game you are going to be competing with large local alumni bases from Michigan, Notre Dame, North Dakota & Boston College. Colorado has a huge transplant population from the midwest and northeast and they will be looking for tickets at the 11th hour. North Dakota especially has a large transient population in the Denver metro area.

The biggest factor that is going to limit ticket availability is the fact that only one ticket is available for both semi-final games. In past years you could always count of fans selling tickets to the semi-final game that their team didn't participate in. This year that option is not available.

Colorado College and DU fans were able to purchase tickets last year, but had to buy Regional tickets on a three to one basis. Since they had to lay out over $100 extra per Frozen Four ticket required (many of those Regional tickets went unused) they are going attend the Frozen Four.

So take your chances and good luck looking for tickets, but we're guessing that the barn is going to be full next weekend in Denver.

Comments, thoughts, what are you hearing?

Where To Go & What To Do In Denver

Visit Denver.org for more info & ideas

Denver has one of the cleanest, safest downtown's in the US. Everything is accessible on foot and there are literally dozens of great bars, restaurants and coffee shops near the Pepsi Center or on the 16th Street Mall, which is a short cab ride, light rail or brisk walk from downtown hotels.

Hotel: The first order of business is selecting a hotel. I'd stay downtown and use Hotwire.com or any other internet website. Hotels are much cheaper out in the 'burbs but the distance is a deal breaker. For those on a budget the Comfort Inn is where Air Force stayed during the 2007 Regionals. Expect to spend well over $100 per night near downtown. If you find anything less than 100 bucks, don't bring any valuables. :-)

Transportation: To rent or not to rent that is the question. Taxis are expensive and the airport is a million miles outside of town, so if you have two or more people, a rental car will save you money in the long run, but remember that if you stay downtown its going to cost up to $20 per night. Renting a car comes down whether or not you are going to hit the mountains for a side trip (recommended).

The light rail to the University of Denver is an inexpensive fun way to get to DU. It drops you off within a couple of hundred yards of Magness Arena. Pregame at Spanky's on University Blvd. and post-game at Jordan's or the Border Restaurants.

Pepsi Center: The Pepsi Center is a first-class modern NHL Arena with all the high priced goodies you'd expect: $5 sodas, good quality grub at a hefty price and souvenirs. Bring your wallet.

Within walking or Light Rail distance from the Arena, you have the access to Downtown Denver, with shopping, particularly in LoDo (Lower Downtown which includes the Coors Field area) and the 16th Street Mall. The best bars are probably closer to Coors Field (18th-20th and Wynkoop-Blake). Some of the favorites are Sing-Sing's (a dueling piano bar right near Coors Field), Sports Column (20th and Blake) and the Falling Rock Tap House, which has an obscene amount of beers and is across the street from Sports Column. The Wynkoop Brewing Company is a microbrewery with pool tables upstairs.

Nightlife: There's no shortage of clubs & hotspots, but westword.com, which is Denver's alternative newspaper, offers unbiased recommendations to restaurants, bars & nightlife.

The two sports bars that are going to see the heaviest usage by the college hockey faithful this weekend are going to be Brooklyn's, which is right across the street from the Pepsi Center at 901 Auraria Parkway. (Note: Don't confuse this Brooklyn's at the Pepsi Center with the Original Brooklyn's which is close to the Bronco's Invesco Field).

The other major sports bar is ESPN Zone in downtown Denver on the 16th Street pedestrian mall. During the Regionals last season "The Zone" was jammed packed with hockey fans & at Brooklyns after each game..

Side Trips: If you have a rental car, a great side trip is to Red Rocks for some hiking to to see the location for the U2 concert videos in the '80s. The hikes are easy, fun and spectacular. Bring a jacket, camera, pack a picnic and bring a bottle of water. Its less than 20 minutes from downtown.

If you're like the Minnesota-Duluth fans, you'll want to start your day with a trip to the Coors Brewery. Drive straight up Colfax (or 6th Avenue, or I-70 to either of those streets) to Golden and the Coors Brewery Tour.

If you have more time, a side trip to Breckenridge (1-2 hours) or Vail (2 hours) is always a great idea for a Sunday brunch or a quick ski trip. If you are a skier, there is great skiing this time of year - check coloradoski.com for details on all the ski areas.

You only live once, so wake up early on Sunday morning, hit the mountains & if you don't crash your car, you'll be back in plenty of time for the 4 pm faceoff. If its snowing in the mountains, do not attempt this trip unless you live dangerously and you have the rental car insurance waiver.

Conclusion: Have fun & enjoy Denver. If you have thoughts, ideas, questions or suggestions drop us a line below in the comments section.

Contributors: DG Goddard, Theresa Spisak & Tom Douglis

Rocky Mountain News Has Frozen Four Feature

The Rocky Mountain News takes a look at the four teams who will be competing in the Frozen Four in Denver next week. Included are quotes and word association games from the four programs.

There's a schedule of events including Youth Skills Camps.

Tidbit of the Day: Coach Jerry York at Boston College doesn't allow "playoff beards"

Youth Clinics Highlight Frozen Four Countdown

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

The final Frozen Four countdown has begun.

Mayor John Hickenlooper was joined by the Front Range's three college hockey coaches - George Gwozdecky of the University of Denver, Frank Serratore of Air Force and Scott Owens of Colorado College - on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center to help unveil the final schedule of events for the Frozen Four.

The Pepsi Center will be the site of college hockey's annual extravaganza. And while the action begins on the ice with the national semifinal games April 10, the event will feature weeklong festivities as college hockey fans descend upon Denver from across the country.

In addition to the games, fans will be treated to the Frozen Four Skills Challenge as well as the presentation of the Hobey Baker Award on April 11.

That day also will feature the "Celebration of College Hockey" at Skyline Park, an event beginning at 1 p.m.

Festivities at that event will include a pep rally for the teams squaring off in the national title game as well as an autograph session with the "Hobey Hat Trick" finalists for college hockey's top individual award.

"The impact I believe this Frozen Four will have on hockey in the Rocky Mountain region will be tremendous," Gwozdecky said. "All three programs have been the direct beneficiaries of what the Avalanche have done since they came to town.

"Youth hockey has grown explosively. In our program . . . eight of our 25 players are from the state of Colorado, and that continues to grow every year.

"I know this event is going to have a tremendous, tremendous impact on youth hockey throughout the state."

Schedule

* April 8: Youth Skills Challenge Finals, Pepsi Center, 5 p.m.

*April 9: Team practices, Pepsi Center, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (open to public).

* April 10: National semifinals, Pepsi Center, 4 p.m.

* April 11: Team practices, Pepsi Center, 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (open to public); Celebration of College Hockey (includes pep rally for national finalists, autograph session with Hobey Baker Award finalist and concert performance by Opie Gone Bad), Skyline Park, 1-4 p.m.; Friday Night at the Frozen Four (includes autograph session, presentation of Hockey Humanitarian Award and Hobey Baker Award, and Frozen Four Skills Challenge), Pepsi Center, 4:30 p.m.

* April 12: Frozen Four Youth Clinic, University of Denver Ritchie Center, 8 a.m.; National championship game, Pepsi Center, 5 p.m.

CHN Looks At DU's Tournament Prospects

From: College Hockey News
by Adam Woden

College Hockey News ran an article on the various Pairwise scenarios that determine which teams get invited to the NCAA Tournament. The general consensus is that DU is not a lock to end up in the Colorado Springs Regional unless they can secure a #1 seed.

"Colorado College hosting the West Regional in their home arena, so you know where they're going to be. That it will be as the No. 1 seed is looking increasingly likely. Depending on where things fall, Denver could line up in that bracket as well. The committee, judging by recent experience, would not put Denver in that bracket just because it wants to boost attendance. First of all, CC will take care of that enough. But second of all, the committee just doesn't worry about that anymore. So it would only happen if CC is No. 3 and Denver No. 6, or 2-7, or 4-5, etc... HOWEVER, if CC drops and Denver is a No. 1 seed, then most likely, Denver would be the No. 1 seed in the West Regional. And since CC HAS to be in the West Regional, those two would end up in the same bracket after all." (read the rest of the article)

100 Days Until Denver Frozen Four

(above) DU goalie Peter Mannino makes a sprawling save against Dartmouth on Saturday

Photo credit: David Zalubowski/AP

Where To Go & What To Do In Denver

From: Rocky Mountain News
by Pat Rooney

Five years of planning has come down to the final 100 days.

In a little more than three months, the Frozen Four returns to the state where college hockey crowned its champions in the first 10 years of the sport's existence.

When the puck drops for the first national semifinal April 10 at the Pepsi Center, four of the nation's best college hockey teams will try to forge a triumphant finish to their quests for the crown.

Adding excitement during the stretch run to the Frozen Four is the promising performances of local powers Colorado College and the University of Denver, which is hosting the event alongside the Metro Denver Sports Commission. DU and CC are ranked third and fourth in the nation, respectively, and are among the midseason favorites to reach college hockey's ultimate stage.

If that intrigue isn't enough, Air Force again will contend for an NCAA tournament berth out of the Atlantic Hockey Association, and CC will play host to the West Regional at the World Arena two weeks before the sold-out Frozen Four.

In other words, college hockey fans should be jumping out of their seats all across the Front Range for the next three-plus months. Judging by the atmosphere last year, when AFA nearly pulled off a monumental upset of Minnesota in the West Regional at the Pepsi Center, the intensity and excitement could reach frenetic levels.

"It has been kind of surreal - we got the event five years ago and now it is right around the corner," said Jon Schmieder, executive director of the Metro Denver Sports Commission. "An event like this sells itself, but if we could get a Colorado school in there, that would be gravy. When Air Force scored that first goal against Minnesota, the place was rocking."

To read rest of article

Denver Launches 2008 Frozen Four Website

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The Denver Sports Commission and the University of Denver have officially launched a website for the 2008 Frozen Four. This site has all of the information college hockey fans might need to know as they approach the 2008 event.

To Bookmark: http://www.denver.org/FrozenFour/default.htm

LetsGoDU will always have an active link to the site on our sidebar.