Regrets

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April 10, 2008

One of the most difficult things to have in sports is regrets. When you’re on the national stage such as Michigan was at the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night, that statement is magnified.

The Wolverines’ regret came in the form of the opening 20 minutes of its national semifinal game against Notre Dame. Michigan started slowly, allowing the Irish to strike for three goals on nine shots.

Though things turned around for the Wolverines — they dominated the second and third periods enough so that they drew even at three and then again at four after Notre Dame had grabbed a 4-3 lead — but it was Calle Ridderwall’s goal at 5:44 overtime sent Michigan packing and brought the regrets of the opening 20 minutes to the forefront.

“Obviously, it wasn’t the start that we wanted but I liked the way our team regrouped in the second and third periods,” said Michigan head coach Red Berenson. “Then it was anyone’s game.”

When talking to the players, you heard a consistent message. They were prepared and actually were confident that they came out of the gates well.

“I thought our first few shifts, we started out well,” said Michigan forward Kevin Porter. “We got the puck in their end. But we just had a couple of bad turnovers and guys weren’t coming back. They capitalized on their chances.”

“We came out with the intensity that we thought they needed and they got that first goal on a nice play,” said Michigan’s Chad Kolarik, who buried two goals as part of the Wolverines’ comeback. “Then they had a couple of lucky breaks and got a couple of bad goals.”

Michigan’s bench looks dejected in the first period of Thursday’s semifinal after Notre Dame took an early 2-0 lead (photo: Jim Rosvold.)

Those bad goals actually led to one of the biggest head-turning moments of the night. When the Wolverines returned to the ice for the second period, they did so without their rock, goaltender Billy Sauer between the pipes.

Berenson said that he hoped to change momentum, which he did. His team played incredibly well in front of rookie Bryan Hogan and we were a single goal away from seeing headlines across the country reading “Hogan’s Heroes.” But it was only the sixth time all season Hogan saw playing time, something that once Michigan came back and tied the game you had the uneasy feeling that this indeed was not Sauer in the net.

Truth be told, Hogan had nothing to do with the outcome. He simply did yeoman’s work being placed in a difficult situation. That’s something that wasn’t lost on his teammates.

“[Hogan] came in, he’s a freshman, and he did a heck of a job,” said Kolarik, who consoled the rookie after the game-winning goal was scored. “I thanked him. [The game-winning] goal was a rebound, but we’ve got to pick up sticks. It wasn’t his fault. It was a heck of a game.”

In the end, though, it wasn’t Hogan, it wasn’t what happened in the final two periods or overtime that created the outcome. It was the opening 20 minutes. One period. And that period will leave the Wolverine’s shaking their heads until October.

“I can’t say we had our best game. We didn’t,” said Berenson. “But you have to play in the game; that’s the way the game was going.

“This team had a terrific season right from game one. To get this far, it wasn’t a fluke, it’s disappointing to them. I can’t tell you I haven’t enjoyed a season anymore than this. The ending was just tough.”

Tough enough that it certainly leaves some regrets for a very good hockey team.

Notre Dame Advances To First Championship Game

By Paula C. Weston

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April 10, 2008

In their first-ever Frozen Four appearance, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are heading to the championship game.

At 5:44 in overtime, Calle Ridderwall picked up Dan VeNard’s rebound and sent it past Michigan goaltender Bryan Hogan to give the Irish a 5-4 win over the Wolverines.

The game was tied 4-4 after the teams exchanged goals in the third.

Ridderwall opened the scoring for the Irish at the five-minute mark in the first, skating up the up the right wing and deking Michigan defenseman Tristin Llewellyn in the right circle before firing and beating Wolverine goaltender Billy Sauer clean for the early 1-0 lead.

At 5:42, Irish senior captain Mark Van Guilder made it 2-0 on a shot from the left dot. The puck was deflected by a Michigan defenseman and changed trajectory, misleading Sauer, who played to defend five-hole but let the puck through between his body and his arm.

Then at the end of the first, just as an Irish penalty expired, sophomore Ryan Thang picked up a loose puck inside the Irish blue line, motored down the left wing, skated in alone on Sauer and backhanded the puck past the Michigan goalie in the sliver of space that the Michigan goaltender allowed between his body and the left pipe, making it 3-0 at the end of one.

The three first-period goals forced a goalie change at the start of the second, when freshman Bryan Hogan replaced Sauer. The change gave the Wolverines some jump, and Michigan scored two goals 15 seconds apart in the middle of the second period to make it a 3-2 game after two.

Senior Chad Kolarik and freshman Matt Rust both capitalized on excellent set-ups to put Michigan on the board.

On Kolarik’s goal, Michigan senior captain Kevin Porter skated the puck into the Irish end and around a defender in the left circle before dropping it back for Kolarik, who was crashing in the slot. Kolarik’s wrister went up and over the glove of Irish goaltender Jordan Pearce to make it 3-1.

Fifteen seconds later, Rust picked up Aaron Palushaj’s rebound and popped it in short side, bringing the Wolverines to within one goal again.

Kolarik scored his second of the game and 30th of the season at 2:16 in the third to tie the game for Michigan, but in the second half of the stanza the teams exchanged goals to knot the contest at four each.

Kevin Deeth’s backhander at 11:30 from Dan Kissell and Ian Cole gave the Irish their brief 4-3 lead, but Carl Hagelin banked in a goal off of Notre Dame netminder Jordan Pearce’s left skate at 14:39 to tie it again.

The Wolverines had a golden opportunity for a game-winner late in the third, when Deeth was sent to the penalty box for obstruction hooking. At 17:06, Deeth upended Aaron Palushaj in spectacular fashion in front of the Irish net, sending the Michigan freshman several feet into the air over Pearce. Palushaj landed belly-down on the ice and slid into the corner undamaged.

Michigan was unable to create anything on the power play, and the remainder of the period was played safely by both teams.

Notre Dame, held to 21 shots in regulation, had eight in overtime. Michigan had 33 shots, four in overtime. Hogan, who had the loss, made 18 saves in 45:44. Pearce made 29 saves and got the win.

COMMENTARY: DelCastillo Resigns From Alaska

By Dave Starman

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April 10, 2008

Doc DelCastillo will officially resign Thursday as head coach at the University of Alaska.

“With my wife pregnant and expecting our sixth child in August, we felt as a family that the best place for us to be was back in the Midwest where both of our families are,” said DelCastillo Friday morning from his home in Fairbanks, Alaska.

DelCASTILLO

Rumors had circulated regarding his possible resignation as the college hockey world arrived in Denver for the Frozen Four. Speculation was high that the resignation of John Harrington at Division III St. John’s was a factor in this decision, which was unequivocally denied by DelCastillo.

Having known DelCastillo for many years and having coached with him for many summers at the Minnesota Hockey Camps in Nisswa, Minn., I can personally attest how import family is to him. While ecstatic to finally be a head coach at the Division I level, and especially in the CCHA, this is a decision that he made regretfully but also realistically.

“Rumors will always swirl when someone resigns after one season and I am sure this will be no different,” said DelCastillo in a lighter moment of our conversation. “However, bottom line is we as coaches struggle to find that balance between family and career and this is a situation where I want to put my family first, nothing more and nothing less.”

DelCastillo had remarked throughout the season how much he enjoyed Fairbanks, how excited his kids were to be exploring Alaska, and how much he enjoyed the competition in the CCHA as a head coach.

A bright young hockey mind who can appear gruff at times, DelCastillo brought to coaching the same intensity that took him from a nonrecruited walk-on at St. Cloud to the captaincy of the team in four years.

A comparison can be made to Enrico Blasi at Miami, who might not seem like he’s having too much fun at times but underneath the intensity of the job is someone who loves the game, is good at what he does, and has a burning desire to build a program the right way.

DelCastillo will resurface again in college hockey. Where is yet to be determined.

“The bottom line here is this; the University of Alaska gave me a great opportunity to realize a dream and take on the challenge of being a head coach in college hockey. It’s a great school and a great place to be a college hockey player. The administration has been very good to me and my family, just like they have been to [other] hockey coaches that have been here.”

‘What’s The Big Deal?’

By David H. Hendrickson

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April 10, 2008

Another Frozen Four. Ho hum. Another national championship game. Big deal.

The Orpik family might be forgiven if its members reacted with yawns to Boston College’s 6-1 shellacking of North Dakota. So what if the Eagles advanced to a third straight NCAA title contest? Isn’t that what’s supposed to happen?

The Orpiks are now six-for-six in reaching the Frozen Four, moving on to the championship game in the last five. Brooks Orpik got it started, playing at BC from 1998 through 2001 before turning pro prior to his senior season. Andrew took the baton in 2006 and is now three-for-three.

Andrew Orpik is part of a history of familial success at Boston College (photo: Candace Horgan).

“It’s become an ongoing joke with some guys on the team,” the younger Orpik says. “We have to work really hard to get here every year, but there aren’t many families that can say they’ve gotten here six times in a row.”

BC coach Jerry York sees common traits between the brothers beyond just the success.

“They’re very comparable in the character they bring to the locker room,” York says. “They’re team-first guys. Certainly they’re very similar in physical size and strength, but they also both compete so hard.”

Like his brother before him, Andrew (6-3, 215) provides a physical dimension to a team dominated by small, quick, highly skilled players. He plays on a line with Matt Lombardi and the only other Eagle forward to top six feet, Kyle Kucharski (6-3, 200).

“You look at BC and stereotypically we’re a small team,” Orpik says. “What our coaches like our line to do is to get the puck down low, cycle, and wear down their defensemen so when our top lines get out there they’ll be tired from dealing with us down low.

“The coaches don’t look for us to score goals. If you’re a hockey player, you want to score goals, but the older you get, the more you understand what your role is on the team. Anytime we get a goal, it’s a bonus.”

After scoring a “bonus” of six goals coming into the Frozen Four, Orpik picked a terrific time to add a seventh. He drew first blood against the Sioux, setting the table for Nathan Gerbe’s subsequent hat trick explosion.

“It’s a 60-minute game and sometimes there are ebbs and flows, but if you get the first goal you just get more energy and everyone feels better,” York says.

The Frozen Four goal is one thing his brother, a hardnosed defenseman, can’t match. Not that it will be fodder for any ribbing between the two.

“He’s never been one to score a lot of points,” Orpik says, adding with a grin, “but he sure has me by a lot in penalty minutes.” Orpik then becomes very serious. “In terms of rubbing it in, he’s still got the ring.”

Ah, yes. Brooks holds the ultimate trump card, the 2001 Boston College national championship.

For the older brother, the third time was the charm. Andrew hopes to follow suit.

“The way our team is going right now, we’re doing the things that make us a good team,” he says. “We’re not trying to play other teams’ games. When we play our game, I expect us to be successful.”

For that result, tune in on Saturday.

A Stand-Up Guy

By Todd D. Milewski

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April 10, 2008

When reporters were allowed to enter the North Dakota locker room after Thursday’s national semifinal, many headed straight to Jean-Philippe Lamoureux.

The senior goaltender, still in his uniform and pads, stood up from his chair and faced over six minutes of direct questioning about what had to be one of the more painful nights of his collegiate career.

He didn’t shy away from a question. He didn’t appear to grow angry with those trying to get his view on the pucks that went by him.

“He’s a stand-up guy,” North Dakota defenseman Taylor Chorney said, “and he’s not going to hide behind anything.”

Boston College was too much for Jean-Philippe Lamoureux and North Dakota Thursday night (photo: Melissa Wade).

Lamoureux had his worst night of the season, allowing a career-high-tying six goals for the first time all year in a 6-1 loss to Boston College at the Pepsi Center. It was the fourth time he had allowed six goals in 111 games for the Sioux — not exactly the kind of ending to a career any senior would like to have.

And it was so different than how the season started for Lamoureux and from how he entered the Frozen Four.

He had three shutouts in his first three games, including a fog-shortened tie against Boston College. With four shutouts in his first five games, he set a WCHA record.

He was the most outstanding player at the Midwest Regional, where the Sioux punched their ticket to Denver with a pair of victories in which they were outshot.

Those memories seemed so far away as the puck kept going behind Lamoureux on Thursday.

“It hurts pretty bad,” he said. “I thought our group of guys deserved a better fate. But you’ve really got to take your hat off to BC. They played a great game, had a lot of really nice goals tonight, capitalized on a lot of turnovers on our part. But I couldn’t have been prouder to play my four years here at UND.”

Lamoureux didn’t look completely comfortable on some of the BC goals.

When Andrew Orpik scored the game’s first goal, the puck went between Lamoureux’s pads as he slid across the crease.

He didn’t control a long shot that turned into another awkward-looking goal for BC. The rebound eventually went to Nathan Gerbe, who had a sharp angle on the right side but put the puck back into Lamoureux’s body. It rolled through him and into the net.

“I wasn’t as set or as square to the shot as I should have been,” Lamoureux said.

Gerbe earned a hat trick and made it 5-0 in the second period when he came out from behind the net and, with Lamoureux flopping in the crease, lifted the puck high into the net.

Gerbe’s first goal, a shorthanded score in the first period that made it 2-0, was the one that Lamoureux wanted back, however.

“I felt like I came out and challenged well; I just didn’t close it up and Gerbe made a nice, quick shot,” Lamoureux said. “A lot of their shots were good shots, inside the post, top corner and stuff.”

Lamoureux came into the game with the national lead in goals against average and save percentage. He left in second place in both categories.

That didn’t matter to his teammates.

“Our season would have been over two weeks ago if it wasn’t for Phil, and everyone in our locker room knows that,” Chorney said. “A lot of those goals weren’t his fault. They’re a skilled team. There was quite a few two-on-ones. There were back-door shots, and there’s not a whole lot Phil can do on those.

“I know he’s probably beating himself up a bit, but he’s been our MVP all year and he deserves every bit of credit he’s got all year.”

Defenseman Joe Finley said Lamoureux’s play wasn’t what sank the Sioux.

“We think he gave us an effort tonight that if we get down and block a shot or two and if we come up big for him on the offensive end, it’s a whole different game,” Finley said.

Lamoureux was the first one waiting for Boston College players at center ice for handshakes. He then found the referee and the assistant referees for handshakes before being the last UND player off the ice — not before he saluted the team’s fans.

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to give them a performance that I thought they deserved tonight,” he said. “A lot of people paid a lot of money to come watch us play, and I just wanted to show respect to the fans who came out to support us. As you can see, they didn’t leave the building. They hung around us to the end of the game. So I just wanted to show respect to the fans because we had a lot of loyal fans out there.”

The Grand Forks, N.D., native said he expects to graduate this summer, and he wants to continue his career in the pros.

But on Thursday, his thoughts were more about what had just transpired.

“It doesn’t feel good,” Lamoureux said. “One of my goals coming here was I wanted to be part of a championship. My four years, we came close — four Frozen Fours, which I think is something we’ll be proud of in years to come here. But it kind of feels like unfinished business.”

Here We Go

By Chris Lerch

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April 9, 2008

Welcome to the 2008 edition of the Frozen Four Blog. It’s my pleasure again to bring you an up-to-the-minute account of the goings on in Denver.

While the real action doesn’t start until tomorrow, our coverage begins today as the four teams practice and hold press conferences. Michigan is at the podium right now, the last team to speak to the media. Red Berenson is currently talking about how different things are today then when he played at the Frozen Four in Utica back in 1962. “I don’t remember if there was even a banquet,” he said. “And it certainly wasn’t a major event. I don’t think there were many people there.”

Things sure have changed – especially in terms of the way the media covers the Frozen Four. So let’s get a little housekeeping out of the way and make things official. This blog is registered on NCAA.com’s Blog Central. And per their policy, I’ll be blogging throughout the week, but during games I’ll be limited to three blogs per period, and one per intermission.

This is a compromise worked out after the NCAA initially banned “liveblogging”, concerned that it was taking eyes away from TV coverage. I hope this blog supplements your TV viewing, or provides as-it-happens news in the event you can’t watch the game.

Check back for updates from what will hopefully be a memorable weekend.

Preview: Michigan-Notre Dame

By Paula C. Weston

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April 9, 2008

Michigan vs. Notre Dame
Thursday, 7 p.m. MT, Pepsi Center, Denver

Michigan Wolverines
Record: 33-5-4, 20-4-4 CCHA (first)
Seed: No. 1 overall, No. 1 East
Road to Frozen Four: Beat Niagara 5-1; beat Clarkson 2-0
2007 NCAA tournament: Lost in regional semifinal

It’s hard to think of the Wolverines as anybody’s Cinderella, but given the expectations Michigan had coming into this season, it’s not so difficult to imagine that glass slipper.

Billy Sauer has stepped up for Michigan this season (photo: Melissa Wade).

Starting the season with a dozen freshmen and two seniors on the roster and a junior goaltender who had not yet lived up to expectations, the team that had never finished lower than tied for second in the CCHA league standings since the 1989-90 season was picked fourth in preseason polls by both the league coaches and media.

The Wolverines were expected to rebuild this year, not to contend.

“We’ve had a good year,” said UM associate head coach Mel Pearson, taking a page from head coach Red Berenson’s big book of understatements.

“At the start of the year with all the freshmen … we weren’t quite sure what to expect out of this team, but we were led by Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik, two seniors who came back to Michigan to make a difference and they have this year.”

Porter and Kolarik set out immediately to build a team in August with activities scheduled to welcome the many new faces, and in the process the two helped build a squad that amassed 33 wins with two season streaks of 10 or more wins.

Five of the Michigan newcomers, all forwards, have registered 10 or more goals: Louie Caporusso (12-9–21); Carl Hagelin (10-10–20); Max Pacioretty (15-23–38); Aaron Palushaj (10-31–41); and Matt Rust (11-10–21).

Given the number of freshmen who started the year with Michigan — defenseman Kevin Quick was dismissed from the team at midseason — everyone knew that the rookies would have to mature fast and contribute. What they didn’t know, though, was how coachable the youngsters would be.

“Throughout the entire year, they’ve been unbelievable,” said Porter, the team captain. “They come to the rink, they work hard, they keep their mouths shut, they do what they’re told.”

The freshmen weren’t the only coachable kids on this year’s Michigan roster. Junior goaltender Billy Sauer (1.89 GAA, .927 SV%) went from having the 52nd-best goals-against average and 51st-best save percentage nationally a year ago to fourth and ninth in those categories this year, respectively.

Sauer, who came into Ann Arbor as a 17-year-old freshman two years ago, has benefited from the steady tutelage this year of former Michigan goaltender Josh Blackburn.

“We’re very fortunate that Josh is in the area and was able to help us come out with Billy Sauer,” said Pearson. “Just having a goalie who’s gone through some of the experiences that Billy has and being able to talk to someone about that has been huge for Billy Sauer and I think Billy would echo my comments on that.”

Sauer’s solid play — he allowed just one goal total in two games against Niagara and Clarkson in the NCAA East regional — gave the young Wolverine blueline time to mature early in the season. With the exception of junior Mark Mitera (2-21–23), the UM defense is all freshman and sophomores.

“Mark has done an excellent job,” said Pearson. “Kevin and Chad are forwards and have done a nice job with our forwards, but Mark has been our leader on defense and he took those four young freshmen under his wing and did a real nice job with them.”

Excellent is a word that can be used to describe Porter (33-29–62) and Kolarik (28-26–54), who have provided the best one-two punch in college hockey this season, and the trio of Porter, Kolarik and Pacioretty has combined for 76 goals and 78 assists this year, the most productive line in men’s Division I college hockey. Michigan’s offense is second-best in the nation, averaging 3.95 goals per game.

“We’ve been fortunate to have good secondary scoring this year on the team,” said Pearson. “We feel we have a number of players given the opportunity, given the chance, who can finish. You can’t really shut down any one line.

“We know at this time of year that goals are precious. You’re going to get them from different sources, not just your big guns.”

Michigan’s defense (2.00) is fourth-best nationally. “The last six games we’ve played very well defensively,” said Pearson. “We feel we’re playing the best we have all year defensively. We’re in a situation right now where we think we’re peaking at the right time.”

And while a team in the midst of its 18th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance and fourth Frozen Four appearance in the last 10 years may not seem like fairy-tale material, the trip to Denver is magical for this Michigan team.

“My first three years we obviously didn’t make it [to the Frozen Four],” said Porter. “This year’s been pretty special to actually make it to the Frozen Four, to win the CCHA league and playoffs, to win the Showcase and the GLI — it’s just been a tremendous year.

“I don’t think anyone would have thought we’d be where we are now, with two seniors and 11 freshmen, but we’ve played well all year and here we are going to Denver.”

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Record: 26-15-4, 15-9-4 CCHA (fourth)
Seed: No. 13 overall, No. 4 West
Road to Frozen Four: Beat New Hampshire, 7-3; beat Michigan State, 3-1
2007 NCAA tournament: Lost in regional final

Apparently, a fourth-place finish for the regular season in the CCHA is something of a charm. Last year, Michigan State finished behind Notre Dame, Michigan and Miami in the league standings and went on to become the first CCHA team to capture a national championship since Michigan won its ninth NCAA title in 1998.

Jordan Pearce has quietly starred in net for Notre Dame (photo: Candace Horgan).

This year, the Fighting Irish are attempting to become the second consecutive fourth-place team from the CCHA to capture the crown in their first chance to win a national championship in Notre Dame’s 40 long years of hockey. It’s also ND’s third trip to the NCAA tournament overall, and its second consecutive bid under the stewardship of third-year head coach Jeff Jackson.

And given the Irish’s No. 13 overall seed in the NCAA tournament two weeks ago, Jackson is well aware that his team is living something of a charmed life.

“Going into the regional tournament,” said Jackson, “I think only within our locker room were the expectations high.”

The trip to Denver went through nearby Colorado Springs for the Irish, who upset the No. 1 seed in the bracket, New Hampshire, by the improbable score of 7-3. Then Notre Dame faced CCHA rival and defending national champions, the Michigan State Spartans, in the tournament final and beat them 3-1.

“The Michigan State game, we knew it was going to be difficult with Jeff Lerg in goal and the defensive style that they play exceptionally well, that it was going to be difficult to score many goals,” said Jackson, “and we were just fortunate to be able to respond at the end of the game to score two late goals, and here we are.”

Goal-scoring was the issue for the Irish going into the regional, as Notre Dame had stumbled offensively in the second half of the season after finishing December as one of the top five offensive teams in the country. In their last 11 regular-season games, the Irish netted two or fewer goals; in the CCHA championship tournament in Detroit, Notre Dame mustered just two goals in two games for two 2-1 losses.

A week and 10 goals later, the Irish were Denver-bound.

“Confidence is a tricky thing,” said Jackson. “Coaches have a difficult time in dealing with it. [After midseason] I tried a lot of different things to make the guys just loosen up a little bit … because they put pressure on themselves.

“I think it became a collective thing, too. It just kind of went across our whole team. We had inconsistency throughout our lineup as far as scoring goals. It impacted our power play, it impacted our five-on-five play, but the one positive thing for me though is that through that whole process is that we didn’t lose sight of playing well in our own end and do as well as we could to potentially win games two to one.

“I think that throughout that process we could have broken down and started cheating and taking shortcuts and all of a sudden we’re losing 6-3 as opposed to 2-1. I think it made us a little more respectful of the defensive end of the ice and in the process we’ve started to be able to take that offensive game from our defensive game and be able to transition it.”

That attention to defense has paid off for the Irish, who have the fifth-lowest goals-against average nationally as a team (2.04) in front of a goaltender who has received little attention this season, junior Jordan Pearce (1.95 GAA, .917 SV%), who backed up Hobey Baker finalist David Brown for two years.

Senior captain Mark Van Guilder, who scored the game-winner against MSU in the West Regional with 5:54 to go in regulation, said that Pearce hasn’t been bothered that no one has noticed his career season.

“He’s been huge for us, and it’s really been special what he’s been able to do this year,” said Van Guilder. “This team’s so confident in him and his ability and I think that’s all that really matters to him.”

Van Guilder (12-17–29) is one of four active forwards with 10 or more goals for the Irish, a list that also includes sophomore Ryan Thang (17-13–30), junior Christian Hanson (13-9–22) and freshman Ben Ryan (10-16–26). Their leading scorer, junior Erik Condra (15-23–38), is out with an injury. Freshman defenseman Ian Cole (8-10–18) has four goals and one assist in seven postseason games. The Irish offense is 19th nationally, averaging 2.89 goals per game.

Notre Dame’s power play operates at 15.4 percent for 39th-best in the nation, but the ND PK is second (89.6).

“I’m excited about this opportunity, I know our team will be excited about it, but I always say that the most important thing is to try to put yourself in the position to win a championship,” said Jackson.

To Van Guilder and his classmates, who won five games in their rookie season, being in this position is a bit surreal.

“I’ve been asked a couple of times, ‘Would you ever think this is possible freshman year?’ Honestly, I just wanted to win. After only winning five games … I just wanted to start winning some hockey games.

“The Frozen Four was probably the furthest thing from my mind.”

Don’t You Forget About Me

By Patrick C. Miller

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April 9, 2008

If anyone forgot that North Dakota forward Ryan Duncan won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award last season, he served notice during the NCAA Midwest Regional in Madison that he’s still around and a force to be reckoned with.

In UND’s 5-1 victory over Princeton, the 5-6, 159-pound junior notched his first career hat trick, scoring the game-winning goal with his quick, deadly-accurate wrist shot from just below the right circle.

Ryan Duncan has scored 18-22–40 this season (photo: Melissa Wade).

Trailing Wisconsin 2-1 in the third period, Duncan rifled a drop pass from linemate T.J. Oshie into the far corner under the crossbar to tie the game. The Fighting Sioux went on to defeat the Badgers 3-2 in overtime, earning their fourth consecutive trip to the Frozen Four.

For Duncan, 22, his 18 goals and 22 assists thus far this season have been a drop from the previous season, in which he recorded 31 goals and 26 assists. That performance earned the Calgary, Alb., native the Hobey Baker, making him the second UND player to earn the honor since Tony Hrkac did it in 1987 with an NCAA-record 116 points.

Although big things were expected of Duncan this season playing on a veteran Sioux team loaded with talent, he considers his performance secondary to the team’s success. He visited with USCHO about what winning the award meant to him, his season as a returning Hobey winner and his plans for the future.

USCHO: Last year at this time, you knew that you were one of three candidates in contention for the Hobey Baker Award. Do you feel as if there’s less pressure on you heading into this year’s Frozen Four?

Duncan: I don’t think it’s that big of difference. I think people and the media kind of blow that up, that it’s a distraction. That was just something that was a bonus to me, something extra. The only thing that was really different was a little extra media attention, a couple extra interviews. But that was not a burden at all to me. It was a special moment for me and the whole process of the Hobey Baker was real enjoyable. It won’t be a distraction for the guys going through it now (Michigan’s Kevin Porter, Boston College’s Nate Gerbe and Miami’s Ryan Jones). They’ll just go out there and play their game.

USCHO: Last year, after UND was defeated in the first round of the Frozen Four by Boston College and the team went back to Grand Forks without you, what was it like when you got home after winning the Hobey and all your teammates showed up at the airport to welcome you?

Duncan: That was probably the most special thing for me, actually. It was unfortunate that we couldn’t all be there as a team to enjoy it because, in my opinion, it was a huge team award. They had a lot to contribute to that award. When I came back, just to see those guys waiting for me, it wasn’t something I expected or I hoped would happen. Just to see them meeting me there, that’s the part that meant the most to me. Playing this game, you remember the wins and the losses, but it’s the time you spend in the locker room with the guys and the friendships you build that are the things you’ll carry with you the rest of your life.

USCHO: Your father, Bob, played at UND and you’ve credited him with helping your development in hockey. Watching his reaction when you were named the Hobey winner, it was obvious that he was quite emotional about it. What has he said to you about the event since it happened?

Duncan: His reaction was the same as mine and the rest of the Fighting Sioux nation. Everybody was pretty surprised. I don’t think many people thought I had a shot. The other two guys in the final three with me (forward Eric Ehn of the Air Force Academy and goalie David Brown of Notre Dame) had tremendous resumes. My father and I have talked about it a little bit. It still hasn’t sunk in for me, at least. He spoke to me in the off season and said, ‘You know, that’s a pretty big deal.’ I just try to concentrate on the task at hand, but he tells me that it’s something I’m going to enjoy and look back on and be proud of. I know he’s proud of me and he should be proud of himself because he had a lot to do with it. It’s something that, hopefully, when my hockey career is over, I’ll be able to enjoy it a lot more than I do now and realize what it really means.

USCHO: What does it mean to you to be one of only two UND players to win the Hobey, knowing that the last Sioux player to win it 20 years ago was Tony Hrkac?

Duncan: It’s pretty unbelievable because I think it was just the right set of circumstances for me. If you look at (T.J.) Oshie and Phil (Lamoureux) this year, they had tremendous years. For some reason, they were counted out. They weren’t picked for the final three. It just comes down to the final decision of the committee at the time and what they’re feeling and what the other guys around the country are doing. Look at the guys who are up for the Hobey Baker this year. You’ve got Kevin Porter and Nathan Gerbe with over 60 points going into it. I finished with 57 last year. It might be a little different if I was putting up those numbers this year. I might not have as good of a chance. It’s just the circumstances and the situation. It was definitely a great honor for me.

USCHO: As one of the few players to return to college hockey after winning the Hobey, did you feel as if there was extra pressure to duplicate or improve upon your performance from the previous season?

Duncan: I didn’t feel any extra pressure. You come back to a team with Oshie, Lamoureux and (Taylor) Chorney and all those guys who come into the season with expectations on them as well. I think there were more expectations on us as a team. The only pressure on me was the pressure I put on myself. It had nothing to do with the outside pressure. Obviously, there was going to be pressure on me coming back. I knew that. I just wanted to make sure that I came out and contributed as much as I could. I knew it wasn’t very likely that I’d have the same offensive statistics that I did last year, but I’m just trying to contribute any way I can and hopefully develop as a hockey player. If we’re winning, it doesn’t really matter what I’m doing.

USCHO: Throughout the season, it appeared that opposing teams made you the object of extra attention. Did you expect that? How did you deal with it?

Duncan: That’s something I’ve had to deal with before. So, yeah, I kind of expected it. Even last year when it was the line with me, Jonathan (Toews) and Oshie, they’d put their top defensive unit against us all the time. That was added attention on us. It’s something that wasn’t new. It was something I expected. Hopefully, with our team now, when we’re playing our game, if they shut me down, they’re going to have to deal with six or seven other guys. That’s something I’ve had to deal with and I don’t think it was an issue this year.

USCHO: After UND made it to the Frozen Four last year and you won the Hobey, some were surprised that you didn’t turn pro, even though you had the opportunity and said it was your dream to do so. Are you glad you came back for your junior season?

Duncan: Yeah, no doubt. The NHL is always going to be there. Some people may say that my stock was never going to be higher than it was last year, but that’s fine. Money’s one thing. The NHL’s always going to be there and, hopefully, I’ll prove that I developed as a player enough this year and I’ll be able to continue on, whether it’s this year or next year. Hopefully I get to that point where I’ll still have an opportunity. Even if I’d turned pro last year, if I didn’t play good enough this year, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play in the NHL anyway. I want to keep getting better as a player and hopefully I can have a long career whenever I decide to go pro.

USCHO: So you’re not ruling out the possibility of another year at UND?

Duncan: No, I haven’t made a decision yet. Like I said, my stock was probably higher last year, so who knows if there’s any interest in me now. That’s something I’ll look at with my family and friends after the season ends and then I’ll make a decision.

USCHO: Did the pact you made with Oshie, Chorney and Joe Finley to stay at UND rather than turn pro make it easier for you to come back this season?

Duncan: I think it’s just individual circumstances. It was definitely something special to know that you’re going to be coming back to play with great players like T.J. Oshie, Taylor Chorney and Joe Finley and all those guys who came back. It definitely had an effect on my decision because you want to come back and be part of a group like that. There’s going to be great players playing every year here at the University of North Dakota. Coming back, I wanted to do what was best for me with schooling and also my hockey career.

USCHO: Looking back on the past year, what has it been like to go through an entire season as the Hobey winner? What advice would you give to this year’s winner?

Duncan: It’s been unbelievable. To this year’s winner, just enjoy the whole process. It’s unbelievable, the whole thing. It’s very unique. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed how everybody treated me and how supportive everybody’s been. Coming back to a community like Grand Forks, they treat you pretty well. I wish the guy who ends up winning it best of luck. All three of those guys who are up for it have had tremendous careers and they’ve had great years. They’re going to do a great job representing the award and I wish them the best of luck.

Wednesday Notebook: Boston College and North Dakota

By Jim Connelly and Todd Milewski

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April 9, 2008

It’s extremely difficult to predict much in the game of college hockey, but as we head into Thursday’s opening semifinal game between Boston College and North Dakota, you almost get the feeling that people saw this game coming.

Ignore the fact that this is the third time the two teams have faced one another in the national semifinal (BC won the previous two.) Pay no attention to the fact that the two clubs split back-to-back NCAA title games in 2000 and 2001 or the fact that this is the seventh time in ten years the clubs will play in the national tournament.

The impetus for this harbinger took place in October.

North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol watches his team play to a scoreless, abbreviated tie at Boston College in October (photo: Melissa Wade.)

A warm night in October and a packed house at BC’s Kelley Rink translated to less than ideal conditions. BC, which had two games halted in the previous two seasons because of fog inside the arena, had actually taken precautions prior to the North Dakota tilt. The building staff had ordered compressors from New Jersey and installed them the night before anticipating the unseasonable temperatures.

But even the finest laid plans go awry.

Despite testing the system on Thursday night, one of the compressors shorted just before Friday night’s faceoff. The result was a building-wide power outage that delayed the start of the game. At the same time, the temperature inside the building began to rise.

The clubs would play 40 minutes amid foggy conditions, but a second outage during the second intermission was more than anyone could handle. The ice slowly began to melt and by the time the power was restored, the damage was done.

At that point, the game was scoreless and — invoking a little-known NCAA ice hockey rule that allows results through two periods to count as official — the officials decided to halt the game. Both clubs posted a 0-0 tie in their records.

Given the two programs’ history in post-season play, each and every player and coach could only hope that they’d have another chance to square off in the NCAA tournament.

“When the game earlier in the year got canceled, we figured no one wants us to play in the middle of the year. Everyone wants to see us on the bigger stage at the end,” said BC forward Nathan Gerbe.

“After the disappointment of not getting to finish the game in October, we all started joking that if we were lucky enough to get to the post-season we’d definitely get the shot to finish the game,” said BC captain Matt Greene.

They’ve Been Here Before

Both North Dakota and Michigan have played at Pepsi Center before, in the West Regional last season.

The Sioux have the better memories of the occasion. They beat the Wolverines 8-5 in the semifinal before topping Minnesota 3-2 in overtime to earn a spot in the Frozen Four.

Will that experience give North Dakota a bit of an advantage in its national semifinal against Boston College?

“The familiarity is nice, but it pretty much ends once the puck drops,” Sioux goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux said. “Once the two teams are playing, those advantages are over. What it comes down to is which team is ready to play and which team executes better.”

North Dakota also has what could be considered an advantage in that it has more experience playing at high altitude than the Eagles.

“I know when I was a freshman coming in, playing CC and playing Denver, it was a big shock how much quicker you get tired,” North Dakota junior forward T.J. Oshie said. “Now I’m used to it, and I think all the rest of the guys are, too. So hopefully that’ll be a factor tomorrow.”

Oshie also said the Sioux feels at ease with the environment as a whole.

“I think it helps just being comfortable with the city,” he said. “We’re in the same hotel. We know where to go get breakfast. We have a routine here that we’ve already went through. The level of being comfortable, it makes it a little easier not having to try to find places to eat and knowing where to go.”

Rocking The Mustaches

At least North Dakota players seem to be taking the good-natured ribbing about their playoff mustaches in stride.

It happened again Tuesday night, when the UND players were walking around Denver’s Coors Field and drew some comments for the not-quite-fashionable expression of facial hair.

There is some history behind the idea. Sioux defenseman Taylor Chorney’s father, Marc, played on the 1980 UND national championship team, and pictures show him with a healthy mustache.

That and the desire to change fortunes brought out the mustaches.

“We’ve gone with the beards the last few years and it hasn’t quite got us over the hump,” Taylor Chorney said. “We decided this year we’d try something new and go with the mustache.”

Matt Watkins is widely regarded as having the best mustache of the group.

“Some of us aren’t as fortunate to be able to contribute as good as guys like Watty or Chorns, like myself,” Lamoureux said. “A few of the guys have tried to get some of the beard dye so you could enhance the look a little bit.”

Never Gets Old for York

Boston College coach Jerry York says that going to the Frozen Four never gets old (photo: Melissa Wade.)

This is BC coach Jerry York’s eighth time in 11 years sitting on the podium on Frozen Four media day representing Boston College. When asked if this feels any different from years past, York had one simple message: it certainly doesn’t get old.

“I genuinely feel even more excited this particular year,” admitted York. “It’s tough to say looking back how you feel going into Milwaukee, how you feel going into St. Louis. But when you advance out of the regionals with an overtime goal and you beat such a quality team as we did in Miami, you really get a great deal of satisfaction.”

York did acknowledge that everything surrounding the Frozen Four has come a long way in his time, which began as a player at Boston College in 1965. He also led Bowling Green to the Frozen Four in 1984, capturing the title.

“This event has become the pinnacle of college hockey,” said York. “In 1965, the national championship was played at Brown [University] that sat probably 3,500 people. To see where it’s come from, is great.”

Eagles Notes

• According to Barbara Matson of the Boston Globe, the 6:50 a.m. flight from Boston to Denver was loaded with Eagles fans … except for the two fans who were dressed head-to-toe in North Dakota gear.

One has to wonder if the pair were Boston University fans in disguise or the victims of a really bad connection flight from Grand Forks.

• Speaking of Boston scribes, Boston Herald long-time college beat writer John “Jocko” Connolly is attending his 25th Frozen Four this year. He saw three tournaments as a fan at the old Boston Garden in 1972, 1973 and 1974. He then jumped on his beat in 1984 in Lake Placid and has covered 22 of 24 tournaments since that time.

• Eagle captain Mike Brennan currently possesses one college hockey’s best Ironman streaks. The senior has never missed a game in his career, playing in 166 straight.

“Once I realized I wasn’t going to lead the team in scoring,” said Brennan, a blueliner, ” I decided to try to play every game.”

Sioux Notes

• UND players were impressed by the turnout for a student ticket sale for the Frozen Four this week. Tickets went on sale last Wednesday, but T.J. Oshie noticed four tents outside the sale location when he was going to class last Monday morning.

“I thought it was maybe some kind of survival course, but apparently they were waiting for tickets,” he said.

• North Dakota is hosting what it’s calling the world’s largest viewing party in Grand Forks during Thursday’s game. With the World Curling Championships taking over the main part of Ralph Engelstad Arena, hockey fans will pack into the Olympic rink building.

When that was brought up during North Dakota’s news conference, Hakstol said: “There’s only one place I’d rather be, and that’s right here.”

Wednesday Notebook: Michigan and Notre Dame

By Jim Connelly and Todd Milewski

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April 9, 2008

Possibly the story of the weekend at the Frozen Four will be Notre Dame making its first appearance in school history on college hockey’s ultimate stage. No team has made its Frozen Four debut since 1998, which Ohio State reach the pinnacle for the first time.

One thing that will help the Fighting Irish, though, is their coach. Third-year bench boss Jeff Jackson has more than been through this before. He led Lake Superior State to the NCAA tournament in all six seasons he spent in Sault Ste. Marie, including three straight Frozen Fours between 1992 and 1994 and two national titles (’92, ’94).

His experience, he hopes, can be the beacon that guides the team through what is one of the craziest weeks of their lives.

“Until they actually see it themselves, it’s difficult [for them to understand],” said Jackson. “But it’s big.”

He said that every level of play — whether it’s the league playoffs, the NCAA regionals or ultimately, the Frozen Four — the attention, the microscope watching these players increases.

“This scrutiny, the press coverage, the bandwagon, it all loads up and the distractions become immense,” said Jackson. “The family, friends, professors, classmates, other athletes — everybody makes an effort to distract you, though not intentionally.”

Jackson’s advice to his team, then? Treat this like a business trip.

“It’s about focus. It’s about approaching this in a very business-like manner,” said Jackson. “If you get all wrapped up into everything that’s going on around you, then what you really are here for becomes less of a factor.

“In my opinion, it’s about forgetting all of that and remembering what’s important and what put us in the position to be here.”

If you’re looking for any sympathy from Notre Dame’s opponent, Michigan, don’t hold your breath. The Wolverines are making their NCAA record 23rd Frozen Four appearance.

Season Defined Early

Michigan senior forward Chad Kolarik listed off a number of the season highlights for the Wolverines, and they included what you’d expect.

The season-opening overtime victory over Boston College in the IceBreaker tournament.

The double-overtime Great Lakes Invitational victory over Michigan Tech, the program’s first GLI title since 1996.

The CCHA playoff title victory over Miami at Joe Louis Arena.

With that as the landscape, what stands out as the defining moment for the Wolverines?

For coach Red Berenson, it goes all the way back to the first weekend in the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. There, the Wolverines showed their coach that they could play.

“When I stood back and watched our team compete with Boston College and Minnesota — two premier teams — with our team, which had 12 freshmen at the time, it was pretty impressive that we could more than hold our own,” Berenson said. “I think that was the defining moment where we all looked around and said, ‘Hey, this is a pretty good team.’

“Because we didn’t know what we were going to have. As Kevin [Porter] and Chad took off in the ensuing weeks, we could see that this team could play every night. That’s the main thing about this team, it’s not any one moment. It’s been the consistency, night after night.”

Big Men on Campus

At Notre Dame, a school dominated athletically by football and, in some ways basketball, hockey at best takes third fiddle.

Reaching the Frozen Four just a year after making the regional final has elevated the profile of the program and its players around the campus.

Since returning from Colorado and the West Regional, the Fighting Irish players have noted that they’ve gotten plenty more recognition in South Bend.

“I haven’t heard the ‘Is hockey Division I at Notre Dame?’ line anymore,” said Irish captain Mark Van Guilder. “I heard that a couple of times my freshman year. I think everyone has figured out we’re Division I.

“It’s fun with all the support so that it’s not, ‘Did you guys play this weekend?’ it’s, ‘Man, you played a great game. We watched every second.'”

Notre Dame goalie Jordan Pearce, show making one of 32 saves against New Hampshire in the 2008 regionals, says that the successful Irish hockey season has helped school spirit after a down year on the gridiron (photo: Candace Horgan.)

Junior goaltender Jordan Pearce says this success comes at a good time after the Notre Dame football team struggled through its season.

“I think we had a sour year in our football this year, so everyone is looking for our team to get behind and root for,” Pearce said. “Everybody is excited and motivated. Every one is wishing us good luck and wanting to make the University proud.

According to Jackson, he hopes to build momentum from his program’s success. He is at the helm just three years. A year ago the club was the dominant number one seed entering the tournament only to have eventual national champion Michigan State knock them out in the regional final.

But Jackson can see momentum.

“Everything is in the process of changing at Notre Dame as far as hockey goes,” said Jackson. “We’re selling out every game. We’re turning people away from our games. We’ve raised $25 million for a new arena in 18 months.”

He’s also gotten tremendous support from his fellow head coaches in the athletic department.

“[Head football coach] Charlie Weiss called me yesterday and had a great conversation,” said Jackson. “The camaraderie and the family atmosphere that comes from different sports teams, I’ve never experienced it before so I really have learned to appreciate that.

“It’s not forced. It’s all connected. You actually like to participate and watch other teams succeed at Notre Dame. That’s something new for me because I’ve never experienced it at that big of an athletic program.”

All In The Past

Michigan goaltender Billy Sauer has started to erase memories of sub-par freshman and sophomore seasons with a sparkling junior campaign.

But there’s one thing that won’t seem to go away.

Billy Sauer’s breakout season has been key in Michigan’s Frozen Four berth (photo: Melissa Wade.)

A reporter at Wednesday’s news conference addressed a question to Sauer about giving up seven goals to North Dakota in last season’s West Regional final at Pepsi Center. Berenson interrupted, saying, “Let’s talk about this year.”

If you want to talk about this year, Sauer has been one of the biggest reasons that the Wolverines are among the final four teams playing.

A 30-4-3 record, 1.89 goals against average and .927 save percentage show the improvement he has made.

“He’s matured into an older goalie now,” Berenson said. “He just turned 20 and he’s already played three years of college hockey. He was 17 when he came in and he was probably too young to be a starting goalie for our team.

“No. 2, the fact that he had something to prove over last year. We knew we had a good team last year but we didn’t quite get there. And rather than give up, he came back on a mission.

“I think No. 3, he’s had three goalie coaches in three years at Michigan, and this goalie coach is the first one that’s actually been a player and a starter at Michigan, Josh Blackburn. He was a four-year starter, and I think he can relate to Billy really well. They seem to have something going.”

Wolverines Notes

• Porter, the favorite to win the Hobey Baker Award on Friday, said he hasn’t been overwhelmed by the media requests over the last two weeks.

“I try not to think about it,” Porter said. “We’re here for one reason: to win a national championship. Everyone’s putting distractions behind them, and that’s what I’m trying to do. So it hasn’t been a problem.”

• Michigan has the second-youngest team among the 16 that started the NCAA tournament, trailing only Boston College in that category.

Having 11 freshmen on the Wolverines’ roster was the reason Berenson considered this team a surprise.

“I think we’ve had teams that were expected to be back in the Frozen Four that never made it,” he said. “This team has surprised all of us right from day one. … With such a young team, it’s quite an accomplishment to be here.”

• There’s a certain familiarity in playing a team from your own conference in the NCAA tournament, and Michigan gets that against Notre Dame, just like the Irish got that against Michigan State in the West Regional final.

But Porter said that may be overblown.

“Today, with all the technology, you’re watching every game,” he said. “We have scout tape and everything like that. You know what Notre Dame’s going to bring. You know what North Dakota’s going to bring. You know what Boston College is going to bring. It didn’t really matter who we play. They’re all great teams. They’re all playing really well and they’re in the Frozen Four for a reason.”

Fighting Irish Notes

• With both Notre Dame and North Dakota in this year’s Frozen Four, it marks the first time that two clubs with the word “fighting” in their names have been present for the same Frozen Four.

The irony is that North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux has, of course, come under public fire to change the name by various Indian tribes and the NCAA.

The lack of organization by the Irish in America has allowed the Notre Dame name to remain unchanged. (And before you berate me with email, please see the humor in that statement — Jim.)

• While the hockey team is making its first appearance in an NCAA final four event, the school has plenty of history on the ultimate stage. Women’s soccer has made the most appearances (nine) followed by women’s basketball (two) and men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and baseball, each of which has made one appearance.