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Buzzmaster

  (4:06 PM)

The Frozen Four Show is up next at 6 p.m. ET!

Mike Eidelbes

  (6:04 PM)

Hey...thanks for hanging on. We're ready for tonight's championship match between Denver and North Dakota. It should be a dandy. Let's go to the questions...

Jeremy (Grand Forks ND)

Will staying out of the box and/or killing off penalties, translate into a National Championship for the Sioux?

Mike Eidelbes

  (6:07 PM)

If you look back at the semifinal matches, a primary reason Denver and North Dakota advanced is because they minimized stupid penalties, whereas Colorado College and Minnesota committed a lot of ill-advised penalties -- stick infractions and the like. There's nothing wrong with taking a smart penalty. The team that avoids the rash or reactionary penalties will have an advantage, however.

Jackie Schmelt (Rock Bluff, MB)

What can we expect to see from the officiating tonight? I thought the job done on the DU v. CC game was horrible, but MN v. UND looked like a job well done.

Mike Eidelbes

  (6:10 PM)

I disagree, Jackie. There were a lot of penalties called in the DU-CC game, but they were calls that had to be made. I think the Minnesota-UND game seemed like a better-officiated match because referee Steve Piotrowski sent the players a message by calling a penalty 16 seconds into the first period, and that message was recieved.

Jeff Derry, New Hampshire

What happened to The Hockey East teams?

Mike Eidelbes

  (6:12 PM)

Nothing...it's cyclical. It wasn't that long ago that three Hockey East teams were in the Frozen Four.

Nick (Boston, MA)

How do you think the Pioneers are going to fare against the size of the Souix? What matchups should we expect to see tonight for DU's forwards and ND's defense?

Mike Eidelbes

  (6:16 PM)

Denver's forwards may be the smartest unit in the game -- and they're pretty talented, too. I think the key is their versatility -- they skate well enough to get around defensemen, but they're also tough enough to chip the puck into the offensive zone, win the battle in the corner and generate scoring chances that way.

Mike Eidelbes

  (6:16 PM)

We're going to change on the fly...here comes James Jahnke.

Steve Rippem (Shatstown, GA)

Not having followed North Dakota during the season I was overwelmed by their ability to skate. Not only did they make the gophers look small, which they are, they also made them look slow, which they are not. As a longtime Bemidji Beaver fan, please please tell me the Sioux are full of big, fast, talented SENIORS!!!

James Jahnke

  (6:20 PM)

Sorry to break your heart, Steve, but most of UND's high-end skill guys are underclassmen. Most of the Sioux's graduating talent is on the blue line, where Matt Jones, Nick Fuher and Andy Schneider reign. UND's most talented line - Zajac, Spirko and Stafford - are two freshmen and a sophomore.

Jason Hopland (Jamestown, ND)

Any favorite for MVP here fellas?

James Jahnke

  (6:21 PM)

If Denver wins, it's probably going to be Gabe Gauthier. If it's the Sioux, you're probably looking at Jordan Parise or Travis Zajac. Things could change tonight, of course.

Jeff (Denver, CO)

How will freshman Mannino handle the pressure tonight? He's been clutch so far, but this is the biggest game of his life...

James Jahnke

  (6:23 PM)

Mannino is a cool customer. He hasn't shown any signs of cracking under pressure yet. Certainly not against CC when all eyes were on him after two weeks of goalie controversy. I'd be surprised if he weren't solid tonight.

Greg (Jamestown ND)

Will Fabian be a factor?

James Jahnke

  (6:25 PM)

The Sioux sophomore forward has two multi-goal games in the playoffs (including Thurs. vs. Minn.). But only five goals this season. Tough to say.

C. Rockie Rasbutten (Puckingham, AL)

Is it me or does Matt Greene get the box just b/c the other guy gets crushed? His pasting of Smagaard looked pretty clean to me the other night.

James Jahnke

  (6:27 PM)

That might be true at times. He does hit people harder than most college players. He's huge and he's mean on the ice. But he gets called legitimately his share, too.

Ole Dahlgren (Greenbush, MN)

How would you compare the DU forwards to MN? Any chance they'll have more success "dodging" the aggressive UND forecheck? Will they fare better getting behind the UND Blueliners?

James Jahnke

  (6:29 PM)

I think DU's forwards are playing with a lot more confidence right now than Minnesota's were. The Gophers were struggling to score for a few weeks before they faced UND. Denver is coming off a six-goal performance vs. CC. I would expect the Pioneers to be more aggressive than UM's forwards.

Kevin Santa Monica, CA

Both goalies looked awesome, which has the advantage for the National Championship game?

James Jahnke

  (6:30 PM)

You're right, Kevin. Both are locked in right now. I'd give the slightest edge to Parise.

Rockie Luveston (Edgar's Corner, PA)

CCHA Refs again tonight?

James Jahnke

  (6:30 PM)

Yep. Steve Piotrowski is the referee. He called the North Dakota/Minnesota game Thursday.

hansen

The way Parise is playing right now, he should be the sure start, any chance we're thrown a surprise? GO SIOUX

James Jahnke

  (6:31 PM)

No surprises. He's in the lineup. In fact, tonight's line charts are up on www.insidecollegehockey.com right now.

Ryan (Minot,ND)

How will Denver's pp match up against UND's powerful pk lines?

James Jahnke

  (6:33 PM)

That's a fantastic subplot of tonight's game. As you know, DU had six PP goals Thursday - and made it look easy. If they score any tonight, they certainly won't be easy. The Sioux are a punishing team - even down a man.

James Jahnke

  (6:33 PM)

That's a fantastic subplot of tonight's game. As you know, DU had six PP goals Thursday - and made it look easy. If they score any tonight, they certainly won't be easy. The Sioux are a punishing team - even down a man.

Kevin (Santa Monica, CA)

Considering the great year and previous years the two Colorado based teams had, can we consider Colorado a power hockey state like the states of Minnesota and Boston for example??

James Jahnke

  (6:35 PM)

At the college level, yes. But Colo. doesn't produce the amount of talented players that Minn., Mass. and Mich. do. CC and DU import most of their players.

James Jahnke

  (6:36 PM)

I'm going to let Nate Ewell take over now. Gotta get prepared for the game. Have fun, everyone. Nate....

Steve Robischon (Milwaukee, WI)

If the age-old adage of 'defense wins championships' is true, then my Sioux must have the early edge. Which do you think will win-out, Denver's Offense or North Dakota's Defense?

Nate Ewell

  (6:38 PM)

Good question, Steve. I think it's more a matter of who is stronger in the offensive zone. Both defenses are big and strong, but if somebody can gain an edge, that will turn the tide.

Tom McKnobb (Badgersville, MN)

I am correct in assuming we won't have to hear anybody talking about the size of the ice sheet affecting either of these two teams?

Nate Ewell

  (6:39 PM)

Correct, correct. Both are used to the NHL-sized sheet we have here.

Nate Ewell

  (6:39 PM)

You can certainly make the case that it helped both of these teams Thursday.

Andy Broderick (Hilton Head, UT)

Matt Greene / Matt Carle cage match: who wins?

Nate Ewell

  (6:40 PM)

I love Carle's game, but I wouldn't want to go up against Greene. 3rd round TKO.

Tom Shamansky (Fargo, ND)

I really enjoy the Inside College Hockey website; you guys making enough $$ to stick around awhile?

Nate Ewell

  (6:41 PM)

Thanks, Tom. Are you offering to send us some cash?

Nate Ewell

  (6:42 PM)

We're not going anywhere, though -- it's about love of the game more than money. That said, we appreciate your patronage of our sponsors.

Bryan (Whittier, Ca)

Do you think that the teams should have been reseaded once they reached the Frozen Four? It seems like Denver and CC would have been the first two seeds thereby eliminating the first game match-up? (although CC performance in the first game was not stellar)

Nate Ewell

  (6:43 PM)

There was some talk about that on Wednesday, Bryan. I don't mind predetermined brackets, but there's certainly some merit to reseeding.

Kevin H. (Grand Forks, ND)

Do you think that the injury to Bina will affect the mentality of the Sioux? If they get behind will they head hut to raise motivation?

Nate Ewell

  (6:44 PM)

Like the rivalry games on Thursday, there's too much at stake to make this game turn nasty. But I'm sure it'll be mentioned for motivation. North Dakota has Bina's jersey hanging in their locker room.

Nate Ewell

  (6:44 PM)

BTW, there was a great ovation for Bina at the Hobey Baker ceremony yesterday when he arrived.

Leroy Nordblatt (Iceballs, MN)

Is it me or is Gabe Gauthier just getting a little more press than he deserves here? Sorry to be bitter....

Nate Ewell

  (6:46 PM)

You won't like this Leroy, but I disagree. I think Gauthier has been outstanding lately.

Nate Ewell

  (6:46 PM)

Plus, the more press the better for college hockey ...

Scott Hanson (Crookston, MN)

WCHA match-up DU and UND. This a game of netminders. Both teams with young goalies. Parise is good, but can he stop this Denver team especially if UND ends up in the box. Who's goaltender holds up and gets the win for their team?

Nate Ewell

  (6:47 PM)

That's a key matchup to watch. Parise is playoff proven, but you can't argue with the success Mannino has had. First freshman to start a title game since 1998, by the way ...

John Ubekeze (Lumberjack, CT)

I know of the rich NHL producing history of UND; can you fill me in on some of DU's NHL Alums.

Nate Ewell

  (6:48 PM)

Antti Laaksonen, Kevin Dineen, Glen Anderson, Keith Magnuson ... those are some of the big ones.

Ashton Blankenship (Ribolt, TX)

Are you guys looking for sell out tonight? I know UND will be well represented, but did any DU fans make the trip?

Nate Ewell

  (6:49 PM)

There was a pretty good DU contingent on Thursday. But tickets are still available ... if you're in driving distance, c'mon over.

Chris (Boston )

what happen to the hockey east this year? I still think hockey east is the best conf. beside WCHA

Nate Ewell

  (6:51 PM)

Hey Chris, I love Hockey East, but there's no denying that the WCHA was the best league this year. I thought BC would be here for sure, but they ran into a terrible matchup against NoDak's size and strength.

Ulysses Chaka (Khan, VA)

Watching ESPN right now waiting for the game has me wondering: Would you want Magnus Magnussen on your Blueline?

Nate Ewell

  (6:51 PM)

I hear he doesn't have great feet. I'd rather Matt Greene.

Kevin H. (Grand Forks, ND)

Being that all the teams came from the WCHA why the problem with letting WCHA refs take care of the games.

Nate Ewell

  (6:53 PM)

The sense I get is that the NCAA wanted the guys who called the crackdown on obstruction most effectively. That meant the CCHA, which is why we'll see Steve Piotrowski tonight.

Nate Ewell

  (6:53 PM)

For my money, Pi's the best ref in the country, so it's fitting.

Scotty "The Scooter" Miller (Molesbrow, FL)

Over / Under on the number of years it takes a CHA team (Beavers) to make the FROZEN FOUR? Go Beavs!

Nate Ewell

  (6:54 PM)

I like Bemidji a lot ... but it would take quite a run to win back-to-back games in a regional. I don't think it's a matter of years as much as it is the right team getting hot at the right time.

Greg (Jamestown ND)

Sioux 4, DU 3 Final Praise MVP

Nate Ewell

  (6:55 PM)

Let's throw out some more predictions here and we'll wrap up with our picks ...

Greg (Jamestown ND)

GO SIOUX

Nate Ewell

  (6:55 PM)

I'll take Denver 3, North Dakota 2 in OT. Gauthier with the winner.

dan (C.Spgs)

Sioux 5 Denver 2

nate

sioux gonna win

Sam Lavista Nebraska

North Dakota will truley beat the Denver Pioners because their goaly Jordan Parise.Also because North Dakota's great defence.Denver will keep it close by yousing one timers to score some points.Denver's Defence will be good but not big and strong enough to stop North Dackota's BIG Offense.Thats why North Dakota will win.I predict that North Dakota will win 5-3.Denver just would need a much better DEFENSE.But Denver's offense will be great but not good enough for North Dakota's goaly Jordan Praise.GO Fighting Sioux.

Rocky Opalstrike (Goitersville, MN)

Lads! What's there to do in Columbus for 24 hours of a Friday?

Nate Ewell

  (6:57 PM)

We had a blast here in Columbus. The Hobey/Humanitarian ceremonies were a highlight ... as was a great little place called O'Shaughnessy's near Nationwide Arena.

jimmy

UND 1 Denver 6

Colby (Grand Forks, ND)

UND 4 Denver 1

Andrew (Grand Forks, ND)

North Dakota 2, Denver 1 OT Fuher with the winner

Nick (Denver)

Pioneers 4 sioux 1

James Jahnke

  (6:58 PM)

I'll pick North Dakota ... 4-2 with an ENG.

todd (Mpls)

GO Sioux! Sioux 3-2.

Steve Robischon (Milwaukee, WI)

Sioux 3 DU 1 MVP ZajacGo Get 'Em Sioux!

Mike Eidelbes

  (6:59 PM)

I'll go with Denver 3, North Dakota 2.

jon (grand forks)

UND 4 Denver 2

Nate Ewell

  (6:59 PM)

All right, folks ... we'll know the answer after 60 minutes of hockey -- or maybe more.

Nate Ewell

  (7:00 PM)

Enjoy the game, everybody. It has all the makings of a classic.

Nate Ewell

  (7:00 PM)

Thanks for all the terrific questions. Have fun ...