TAMPA -- Kyle Bonis and the Ferris State Bulldogs had their day at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on Thursday.
Come Saturday, they'll get another one.
Bonis scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and senior goaltender Taylor Nelson made 27 saves as Ferris State earned its first trip to the NCAA championship game by beating Union College 3-1 in the first Frozen Four matchup.
The Bulldogs, making their first appearance in the Frozen Four after winning the regular season championship in the CCHA, will meet the winner of the second semifinal between Boston College and the Minnesota in Saturday's national championship game.
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On Campus
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On Campus
Ferris State beats Union, advances to NCAA title game
Thursday, 04.05.2012 / 7:32 PM / On Campus
Peter Pupello - NHL.com Correspondent
Abbott, Connolly, Smith named Hobey finalists
Thursday, 03.29.2012 / 4:29 PM / On Campus
NHL.com
Spencer Abbott, Jack Connolly and Austin Smith were named Thursday as the three finalists for the 2012 Hobey Baker Memorial Award.
The winner of the award, given to the top player in NCAA hockey, will be announced Friday, April 6 at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., which is also the host city for the 2012 Frozen Four. The announcement will be broadcast at 6 p.m. on NHL Network.
Abbott, a forward from Maine, led the nation with 41 assists and 62 points. He was the player of the year in Hockey East. A senior who began his career as a recruited walk-on, Abbott signed Wednesday with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is expected to finish this season with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League.
The winner of the award, given to the top player in NCAA hockey, will be announced Friday, April 6 at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., which is also the host city for the 2012 Frozen Four. The announcement will be broadcast at 6 p.m. on NHL Network.
Abbott, a forward from Maine, led the nation with 41 assists and 62 points. He was the player of the year in Hockey East. A senior who began his career as a recruited walk-on, Abbott signed Wednesday with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is expected to finish this season with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League.
Davids and Goliaths balance Frozen Four
Thursday, 03.29.2012 / 11:48 AM / On Campus
Bob Snow - NHL.com Correspondent
Not since 1988 has a team won the NCAA title in its first Frozen Four; either Union or Ferris will have a shot at accomplishing that, with one guaranteed to play in the championship game Saturday.
And no rookie coach ever has won it all, but Union's Rick Bennett has a shot.
Making history won't be easy for Union and Ferris State. Boston College last won an NCAA title in 2010, while coach Don Lucia led Minnesota to back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003.
Sixteen NCAA teams vie for four tickets to Tampa
Wednesday, 03.21.2012 / 10:46 AM / On Campus
Bob Snow - NHL.com Correspondent
His alma mater, North Dakota, is used to being pegged for a slot in the 16-team NCAA Tournament entering each March.
This season, however, New Jersey Devils captain Zach Parise's former NCAA team put on a power surge into the WCHA Final Five Tournament last weekend that propelled them from a bubble team to one bubbling with momentum toward a possible eighth national championship.
Only Michigan has more with nine; North Dakota and Denver are tied with seven.
After winning their play-in game Thursday against St. Cloud, North Dakota put on a show Friday in the semifinal, coming back from 3-0 down against Minnesota en route to a 6-3 victory. Then on Saturday they blanked Denver 4-0 to assure the automatic NCAA bid that comes for each league's tournament champion.
This season, however, New Jersey Devils captain Zach Parise's former NCAA team put on a power surge into the WCHA Final Five Tournament last weekend that propelled them from a bubble team to one bubbling with momentum toward a possible eighth national championship.
Only Michigan has more with nine; North Dakota and Denver are tied with seven.
After winning their play-in game Thursday against St. Cloud, North Dakota put on a show Friday in the semifinal, coming back from 3-0 down against Minnesota en route to a 6-3 victory. Then on Saturday they blanked Denver 4-0 to assure the automatic NCAA bid that comes for each league's tournament champion.
BC, Michigan headline NCAA tourney field
Sunday, 03.18.2012 / 1:50 PM / On Campus
Corey Masisak - NHL.com Staff Writer
Boston College has earned the No. 1 overall seed and will get to open the 2012 NCAA men's hockey tournament near home in Worcester, Mass., but a date with the defending champions could stand in the way of a trip to Tampa, Fla., and the Frozen Four for the Eagles.
Michigan, Union and North Dakota also secured top seeds in the tournament, which begins with first round games Friday and Saturday, while quarterfinal matchups to determine who will play in the Frozen Four at Tampa Bay Times Forum are set for Saturday and Sun., March 25.
Boston College won the Hockey East regular season and conference titles, and boast an NCAA-best 29-10-1 record. The Eagles top scorer is Chris Kreider, who is the top prospect of the New York Rangers and earned plenty of recognition when GM Glen Sather reportedly would not include him in a package for Columbus captain Rick Nash. He has 21 goals and a team-leading 42 points this season.
Michigan, Union and North Dakota also secured top seeds in the tournament, which begins with first round games Friday and Saturday, while quarterfinal matchups to determine who will play in the Frozen Four at Tampa Bay Times Forum are set for Saturday and Sun., March 25.
Boston College won the Hockey East regular season and conference titles, and boast an NCAA-best 29-10-1 record. The Eagles top scorer is Chris Kreider, who is the top prospect of the New York Rangers and earned plenty of recognition when GM Glen Sather reportedly would not include him in a package for Columbus captain Rick Nash. He has 21 goals and a team-leading 42 points this season.
10 finalists announced for Hobey Baker Award
Thursday, 03.15.2012 / 8:22 PM / On Campus
NHL.com
Two goaltenders, four defensemen and four forwards are among the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in NCAA Division I hockey.
The finalists were selected in balloting by the nation's 58 Division I coaches and by online fan balloting.
The two goaltenders are Troy Grosenick of Union College and Shawn Hunwick from the University of Michigan.
The defensemen include Tim Kirby of Air Force, Torey Krug from Michigan State, Brian Dumoulin of Boston College and Wisconsin's Justin Schultz. It's the fourth straight year in which the Badgers have had a finalist, the longest current streak by any school.
The finalists were selected in balloting by the nation's 58 Division I coaches and by online fan balloting.
The two goaltenders are Troy Grosenick of Union College and Shawn Hunwick from the University of Michigan.
The defensemen include Tim Kirby of Air Force, Torey Krug from Michigan State, Brian Dumoulin of Boston College and Wisconsin's Justin Schultz. It's the fourth straight year in which the Badgers have had a finalist, the longest current streak by any school.
NCAA PRO-file with Mike Mottau
Wednesday, 03.14.2012 / 1:12 PM / On Campus
Bob Snow - NHL.com Correspondent
Mike Mottau's NCAA career saw him score 157 points in 163 games. (Photo: Boston College)For Mottau, the view and the path add up to a neatly packaged 360 degrees.
"I went to high school at (nearby) Thayer Academy and was then recruited by a bunch of the Hockey East schools," Mottau said. "Very interested in Boston University at the time, and it came down to them and Boston College. BC just felt more comfortable and an easier transition from Thayer."
That transition worked for Mottau and BC.
"It all started there with Marty (Reasoner), he was the key recruit that really started the whole winning process there," Mottau said. "My freshman year we were still under .500 with a young team; sophomore year it happened quick going to the national final game here in Boston. It was quite a thrill to be a part of that turnaround and to see what has happened since."
NCAA free agents have stretch-run potential
Monday, 03.12.2012 / 10:58 AM / On Campus
Michael Blinn - NHL.com Staff Writer
As league tournaments move toward championship weekends and teams prepare for the NCAA Tournament, a number of college squads already have finished their seasons.
Some of the student-athletes on those rosters will begin preparing for next season, while others can entertain the idea of joining the NHL team that holds their draft rights for the stretch run.
Other players, however, have more options: Since they were never drafted, they become unrestricted free agents that can sign with whatever team they please, and often become hot commodities. In some cases, these individuals get the chance to step right into an NHL lineup and can make an immediate impact.
Here is a list of 11 players who have shone at the NCAA level, and could be courted heavily once their team's season is over:
Some of the student-athletes on those rosters will begin preparing for next season, while others can entertain the idea of joining the NHL team that holds their draft rights for the stretch run.
Other players, however, have more options: Since they were never drafted, they become unrestricted free agents that can sign with whatever team they please, and often become hot commodities. In some cases, these individuals get the chance to step right into an NHL lineup and can make an immediate impact.
Here is a list of 11 players who have shone at the NCAA level, and could be courted heavily once their team's season is over:
League playoffs pave path to 2012 NCAA Tournament
Wednesday, 03.07.2012 / 4:18 PM / On Campus
Bob Snow - NHL.com Correspondent
NHL.com's Top 10
| 1. | Boston College | 25-10-1 |
| 2. | Ferris State | 22-9-5 |
| 3. | Minnesota-Duluth | 22-8-6 |
| 4. | Michigan | 21-11-4 |
| 5. | Minnesota | 24-12-1 |
| 6. | Boston University | 21-12-1 |
| 7. | Mass.-Lowell | 22-10-1 |
| 8. | Union | 20-7-7 |
| 9. | Denver | 21-11-4 |
| 10. | Maine | 21-13-2 |
At one end, the league champions for the regular season are Boston College in Hockey East, Air Force in Atlantic Hockey, Union in the ECACHL, Ferris State in the CCHA, and Minnesota in the WCHA.
Perched above all 57 teams at No. 1 overall are Jerry York's BC Eagles.
At the other end, the season concluded last weekend for the Vermont Catamounts and Northeastern Huskies, who did not qualify for this weekend's Hockey East Tournament. The 10-team league is the only one in the NCAA to have non-qualifiers based on the final regular-season standings.
It was also curtains in the CCHA for Alaska (Fairbanks), Northern Michigan, and Ohio State; in the Atlantic for AIC, Sacred Heart, Canisius, and Army; and in the ECACHL for Brown, St. Lawrence, Princeton, and Clarkson. These 11 lost a best-of-three last weekend in respective first-round league tournament play.
Denver, Nebraska-Omaha battle for playoff position
Thursday, 03.01.2012 / 12:16 PM / On Campus
Michael Blinn - NHL.com Staff Writer
Denver (19-11-4) at Nebraska-Omaha (14-14-6)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
MODERN HISTORY:
Denver: The Pioneers had an opportunity to lock up third place in the WCHA with a two-game set against North Dakota last weekend, but Friday's loss prevented that from happening. Denver was able to carry over a late flurry of goals into Saturday's tilt, which resulted in a 5-3 win, and first-round home ice in league postseason. With things still tight from top to bottom in the standings, the Pioneers need at least one win against Nebraska-Omaha -- whom they've already beaten twice this season -- to ensure they stay in third place. While the second seed is out of reach due to Minnesota-Duluth holding the tiebreaker, taking two wins in the final weekend will give Denver some definite momentum as it heads into the playoffs. The Pioneers are guaranteed a playoff spot, but there's always the danger of getting caught looking ahead to the Red Baron Final Five -- the WCHA's weekend postseason finale -- as well as the league's championship, the Broadmoor trophy.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
MODERN HISTORY:
Denver: The Pioneers had an opportunity to lock up third place in the WCHA with a two-game set against North Dakota last weekend, but Friday's loss prevented that from happening. Denver was able to carry over a late flurry of goals into Saturday's tilt, which resulted in a 5-3 win, and first-round home ice in league postseason. With things still tight from top to bottom in the standings, the Pioneers need at least one win against Nebraska-Omaha -- whom they've already beaten twice this season -- to ensure they stay in third place. While the second seed is out of reach due to Minnesota-Duluth holding the tiebreaker, taking two wins in the final weekend will give Denver some definite momentum as it heads into the playoffs. The Pioneers are guaranteed a playoff spot, but there's always the danger of getting caught looking ahead to the Red Baron Final Five -- the WCHA's weekend postseason finale -- as well as the league's championship, the Broadmoor trophy.
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