ESPN

Nate Ewell

  (1:04 PM)

Hey hockey fans ... the Schott is buzzing and we're ready to talk college hockey as we prepare for today's first semifinal.

Theo Elbrock (Cracklebridge, NC)

Am I the only one who thinks UND has a chance not only to win this tourney, but to win it in dominating fashion?

Nate Ewell

  (1:05 PM)

Theo, I don't know about dominating, just because these teams all know each other so well. But the Sioux certainly came out of the regionals as the hottest team -- I don't think you're alone in calling them favorites.

brad (denver)

I think today's first game is the true national championship, the big key will be how can DU's offense attack Cumac, what do you think about DU's chances of putting a couple behind him and advancing?

Nate Ewell

  (1:06 PM)

There was some talk of this "true national championship" theory yesterday. Scott Owens went so far as to say it's unfair for the top two remaining seeds to play each other in the semis.

Nate Ewell

  (1:07 PM)

McElhinney needs to play better for CC than he did last week; but when the game was on the line against Michigan, he was very good.

Ryan (UND)

What impact will the refs make on todays game and how do you think they will call it?

Nate Ewell

  (1:07 PM)

I think you'll see things called very closely. That's what the NCAA wants.

Nate Ewell

  (1:08 PM)

The CCHA did the best job during the year of enforcing the crackdown on obstruction, which is why both of today's refs are from that conference. The teams here will need to adjust a little bit.

Nick (NJ)

Now that the NHL has fallen apart, how has that affected the motivation of these young and talented players?

Nate Ewell

  (1:09 PM)

None at all, Nick. Catch one or both of the games -- the intensity will impress you. I think where the NHL lockout hurts is with younger players, five or six years old, deciding between playing hockey or basketball.

Aaron (Minneapolis)

Honestly, what you do think are the Goph's chances to win it all?

Nate Ewell

  (1:10 PM)

This sounds like a cop-out, but all four teams have a great chance. I like NoDak in the second game, just because they are playing so well and the NHL ice surface. But the Gophers have the ingredients to win two games as well.

Greg (Shasta, MN)

Where's Dean Blais going to be today: Front Row, Box Seats, or home on the Lazyboy?

Nate Ewell

  (1:11 PM)

It'll be strange to see the Sioux on a national stage without him behind the bench ... but I'm sure he'll be in the house.

Lets Go Gophers

Are the semi final games going to be in HD ?I see the final is. Rock on WCHA

Nate Ewell

  (1:12 PM)

Yes, all three will be on HD. There are some great things planned for the broadcast, too, including a camera mounted on the top of the glass.

Mike (Omaha)

Do you think having no alcohol sales during the games will affect Sioux fans?

Nate Ewell

  (1:12 PM)

I don't think we can touch that one ...

Mike (Chicago)

What's up with the dasher cam? Is it good for hockey?

Nate Ewell

  (1:13 PM)

We'll see today ... it's been tested in a few games, but I haven't seen it. I think it will give a great vantage point on the speed of the game.

Steve (Houghton, MI)

Do many D1 coaches go to the frozen four to watch?

Nate Ewell

  (1:14 PM)

Usually there's a pretty good crowd. I think it's less this year, because lots of non-WCHA coaches decided to skip out. But there will be a lot of them around.

Ted (Minneapolis)

Denver will Win the title, but who will be their toughest test?

Nate Ewell

  (1:14 PM)

The CC-DU game will be a great one. Whoever escapes this game would be my pick to win Saturday.

Mike (Chicago)

I saw tix were going for very cheap, is it because it is all WCHA teams?

Nate Ewell

  (1:15 PM)

Lots of reasons, I think. That's part of it -- no fans of the teams involved can drive here.

Nate Ewell

  (1:16 PM)

The ticket market isn't great, but there's still good atmosphere ... we saw dozens of team jerseys represented on the walk into the rink.

Justin Minneapolis,MN

Honestly, how in the world is anyone going to stop UND's premier defense?

Nate Ewell

  (1:16 PM)

Speed is the one way to beat them, which is why Minnesota is a good matchup. But it didn't work for BC two weeks ago.

Everyone (In the South)

What's WCHA?

Nate Ewell

  (1:17 PM)

That would be Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Made up of teams like Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State, etc. (including the four here).

scott-cincinnati

who will be in goal for du?

Nate Ewell

  (1:18 PM)

Peter Mannino gets the nod -- a good decision, it would seem, since he's been so good lately and has had so much success against CC.

bob (nyc)

Do you think there's a chance there will be back-to-back all- wcha frozen fours? Minnesota will go into next season #1, the other three teams here should be very good, and Wisconsin should have a championship caliber team.

Nate Ewell

  (1:19 PM)

Very true -- it's possible. But remember, a bounce here or there and Michigan, Cornell, or UNH could have been here this year. There are so many variables, and anything can happen.

Nate Ewell

  (1:19 PM)

Time to change on the fly here ...

GopherFan (Minni)

Have you seen Grant Potulny there at all?

Nate Ewell

  (1:21 PM)

No sign of Grant, at least not yet. Although there is certainly no lack of Grand Forks natives wandering the streets of Columbus.

Adam Chicago, IL

Will the game be broadcast on ESPN 2 nationwide? I am in Chicago and hoping it is shown on my local affiliate?

Nate Ewell

  (1:22 PM)

That's correct. Tune into the Deuce.

Colby ((Grand Forks))

Who do you think will have the biggest fan base this weekend?

Nate Ewell

  (1:23 PM)

Probably Minnesota just based on school enrollment size. Minnesota has 45,000 students, while Colorado College has about 1,800. You do the math.

Samuel P. (Dallas T.)

How do I get your job? Oh and what will it pay me?

Jess Myers

  (1:25 PM)

We haven't advertised for a writer in Dallas -- at least not yet. But keep sending guys like David McKee to the college ranks and we'll see.

Go gophers (MN)

Do you think getting Tyler Hirsch back will help Minnesota's chances?

Jess Myers

  (1:27 PM)

Minnesota got here by scoring just three goals in the regional at their own building. That's not going to cut it versus the potentially high-scoring Sioux. So getting their leading scorer back has got to help the Gophers.

Jess Myers

  (1:29 PM)

The third line is on the ice now...mucker and grinder Mike Eidelbes takes over.

SIOUX (U of ND)

why is it that some are calling the DU/CC game the "true" national championship...is it based just on the rankings or what? I think this time of year the rankings don't mean a thing, and the way UND is playing right now, and MN could take either of them also...

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:33 PM)

We certainly haven't heard those claims. Of the four teams here, North Dakota is probably playing at the highest level right now, and they've probably had the most consistent goaltending in recent weeks. For all the ups and downs they had during the regular season, they certainly picked the right time to peak.

Travis Houston TX.

Do you think it will be even more intense or rough if Denver and North Dakota play in the final after the hit against the boards in the WCHA tourny?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:37 PM)

I would doubt it, Travis. Geoff Paukovich's hit on North Dakota's Robby Bina was certainly vicious and unfortunate, but I don't think the intent was malicious. Besides, a national championship game is probably not the proper stage for retribution.

Desire McNiel (Philbin, TN)

Any NHL starpower-potential going to be on the ice today? (all caveats about whether there'll even be an NHL aside of course)

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:43 PM)

Definitely. This tournament is loaded with top-flight talent. Defensively, Denver's Matt Carle and Brett Skinner are extremely talented. CC's Mark Stuart is a first-round pick of the Bruins who people think is a Scott Stevens-type defenseman. North Dakota has forwards Drew Stafford and Travis Zajac, both of whom are first-round picks. Minnesota's talent is probably a little more raw, just because they're younger, but defensemen Nate Hagemo and Alex Goligoski and forward Danny Irmen are guys to keep an eye on.

John (Austin, TX)

Although UMN only scored 3 goals in the regional. They only gave up 1. They were playing Maine and Cornell. 2 great defensive teams. Cornell's goalie is unbelievable. Briggs is hot right now. I'd give the edge in the UMN vs. NoDak game to UMN.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:45 PM)

I'd disagree, John. I think North Dakota gets the slight edge based on their team defense, which is really good. On the NHL-size sheet here in Columbus, I think the Sioux will frustrate the Gophers by playing a rugged, physical style.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:45 PM)

That said, you make an excellent point about Briggs. I think the time he missed with the injury was good for him. He looked pretty worn out late in the regular season.

Andy (Warroad, Mn)

Will the college game be stronger next year with no draft and less people leaving?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:50 PM)

I'd like to think so. The options for players who want to leave the college game for the pros are quite limited right now. You're seeing evidence of that right now -- most years, there's a flurry of seniors whose college careers are over signing with AHL or ECHL clubs for the remainder of their seasons. Those jobs just aren't there this year.

thb Minneapolis MN

I disagree with you Mike. I believe that the gophers know how to handle bigger teams. If the gophers can throw the body around half as much as UND does they should be able to take UND with their speed. I do admit the gophers do have problems with the physical game but that is only when the try and just skate around them and don't get physical themselves.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:52 PM)

If the Gophers are going to successfully deal with North Dakota's physical play, their veterans have to lead the way. I'm thinking Barry Tallackson in particular.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:53 PM)

I do like the Gophers' vets. Guys like Gino Guyer, Andy Sertich and Judd Stevens don't get enough credit for their contributions.

NHLPA ( )

Do you mean to tell me that these guys play for free?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:54 PM)

At least they're playing...

Tom Shamansky (Fargo, ND)

What's Colorado College's biggest weakness? How about DU?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:55 PM)

I think CC's depth is an issue, especially at forward. They're just not as dangerous as Denver across all four lines. I'm also not sold on McElhinney's ability to step up in big games.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:56 PM)

For Denver, I think that even though Matt Carle and Brett Skinner are terrific defensemen, they've got to be careful with the puck. They can't afford to turn it over in the neutral zone and give CC prime scoring chances.

John Wheeler (Fargo)

Is UND's Hakstol the next Blais?

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:58 PM)

Well, I don't think anyone would make that comparison until coach Hakstol approaches Dean Blais's level of consistency and success. That said, he deserves a lot of credit for weathering the storm this season and getting the Sioux to Columbus.

Mike Eidelbes

  (1:59 PM)

Faceoff is near, so I gotta run upstairs and actually see the games as much as I like talking to you all. Thanks for the great questions, everyone. Oh, predictions -- I'll take Denver in the first game by a 4-2 count. In game two, I'll go with Minnesota in a tight, 3-2 thriller. Enjoy the games!