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BostonCollege convincingly beat Wisconsin, 5-0 in the NCAA ‘Frozen Four’ Championship game. It was Jerry York’s fourth title in 38 years of college coaching.
In front of a record crowd, 37,592 at Ford Field and a nationally televised audience, BC dominated the highly ranked Badgers. “They were the best team we played all year,” said BC Coach York. His grace and enthusiasm shined as he bragged about the A-plus way Detroit hosted the finals. He also complimented opposing Coach Mike Eaves and his Badgers. York was visibly impressed by Wisconsin’s six defensemen.
John Muse, the BostonCollege junior, gave all the credit to his teammates but Coach Jerry York praised the goalie as rising to the occasion for the big win. Muse upped his NCAA tournament record to 8-0. Two years ago, as a freshman, he led the Eagles to a NCAA title. Muse had 20 saves in this year’s title game. “It’s really not me; it’s everyone in the locker room. My defense is right there to clear it out of the way,” said Muse in the post game interview.
This was the 16th season at BC for York and he added, “John Muse was clearly on his game tonight.”
Eagle senior Ben Smith scored a first period power play goal which became the game winner. BC got four more in the third period to ice the game. It was the constant pressure of BostonCollege that turned the tide in their favor. Said York, “We play an equivalent of a basketball full press we shut down the shooting lanes. I actually recruit for a fast and disciplined player. We call it the Eagle Way.”
The four seniors on BostonCollege ended up winning 101 games in their collegiate career. Matt Price, Matt Lombardi, Carl Sneep and Smith included a 25-2, NCAA postseason total.
Sophomore, Cam Atkinson had two goals for the winners. Next years tournament will be in St. Paul, Minnesota hosted by the University of Minnesota.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
F- Cam Atkinson, BostonCollege
F- Ben Smith, BostonCollege
F- Joe Whitney, BostonCollege
D- Brendan Smith, Wisconsin
D- Brian Dumoulin, BostonCollege
G- John Muse, BostonCollege
Most Outstanding Player, Ben Smith, BostonCollege
HOCKEYTOWN IS THE PLACE
By Raymond Rolak
DETROIT -- It will be a homecoming for Rochester Institute of Technology sophomore, forward, Cameron Burt. The NCAA Men’s Frozen Four will be held at Ford Field and RIT will be making their first appearance against Wisconsin, Thursday at 5:00 PM. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Miami and BostonCollege will square off in the 8:30 PM game.
This will be a first for Ford Field also. It is the first sanctioned hockey game ever to be played at Ford Field.
Burt, RIT’s leading scorer (16-31-47), got his first taste of travel hockey at Jack AdamsArena, playing in the Detroit Hockey Association. The Detroit PSL (CMA) graduate went on to play for the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL for his junior experience.
Burt’s success is a testimonial to the vision of the pioneers in Detroit hockey. The Detroit Recreation Department was always at the forefront. Hockey support from names like Ilitch, Adray and Karmanos helped. From St. Clair Shores to Trenton and all around Metro Detroit, no one can argue…….This is Hockeytown.
The DHA has had a storied tradition of producing college players for well over 60 years.
It was 52 years ago that Willie O’Ree played for the Boston Bruins and became the first black man to make his mark in the NHL. O’Ree, now 74 heads up the NHL’s inner-city
and ethnic neighborhood program to develop hockey interest in urban areas.
This is the 12th year for the NHL diversity plan. O’Ree said, “These programs are working, we started in four cities and are now in 40 locations throughout the States and Canada.” He added, “Every boy or girl has natural ability, they just need the opportunity.”
The NCAA has always had an ambassadorial approach in hockey. Successful effort is rewarded, regardless of background. The University of Michigan and MichiganState always embraced minorities. Former Michigan coach Al Renfrew said, “Just look to MelWakabayashi as an example.” Referring to his All-America center on his 1964 NCAA Champion team.
The late “Godfather” of hockey in Minnesota, John Mariucci, echoed similar thoughts when he coached the Gophers. At any speaking engagement he would rally the hockey cause by saying, “Anyone can play hockey at an elite level if given the chance, and we just need 10,000 rinks.” His belief and determination that everyone has a right to play hockey, including women, was reinforced by the recent Olympic medal success. WalterBush encouraged diversity and Hockey USA carries that vision on an inter-national level today.
The City of Detroit has had a surge of new hockey interest. Besides the Detroit Jack Adams indoor rink, the DetroitClarkPark outdoor rink has benefitted from the NHL program. Each February, the DHA hosts a national invitational tournament as part of Hockey Day in Michigan titled “Hockey in the Hood”.
This week, Hockeytown and Detroit will be much more than Hockey Central.On April 9, there will be a NCAA player’s skill contest and the Hobey Baker Award will be announced at Ford Field.
On April 10, as part of the Frozen Four, USA Hockey will be hosting a Level III Coaches Clinic at the Ren-Cen. Pre-Registration is required. Also, during the April 8-10, NCAA Finals, the CCHA is hosting a free Fan Fest at the GM Winter Garden, also in the Ren-Cen.
As a legacy project, the NCAA has instituted a book drive. Partnered with the Detroit Local Organizing Committee and the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, the Frozen Four will have deposit locations for new or gently used books at Ford Field -Gates A, B or G and the Marriott Renaissance Hotel lobby and GM Winter Garden.
The popular NCAA Yes-Clinic presented by the college coacheshas been eliminated this year.
It is very appropriate that Burt will be center stage. He has earned his accolades. RIT coach Wayne Wilson brags about him saying, “He has great offensive instincts and is smart with the puck. He is our go-to guy this year.”
Wisconsin has the history, winning two NCAA titles in Detroit previously. RIT is the hot team, winning their last 12 games. Wisconsin will probably have more support in the stadium. Cameron Burt will get the most enthusiastic reaction.
A great big Thank You is in order to all the Hockey Dad’s and Hockey Mom’s, of Metro Detroit. PAST and PRESENT. All in all, HOCKEY gets the victory.
(Raymond Rolak is a Michigan based Sports Broadcaster)
FOUR TEAMS SET FOR NCAA HOCKEY
By Raymond Rolak
FIRST HOCKEY GAMES FOR FORD FIELD IN DETROIT
DETROIT— The teams are set. Miami, Boston College, Rochester Institute of Technology and Wisconsin will be coming to Detroit for the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship. It will be the sixth time Detroit has hosted the finals but the first time at Ford Field. Olympia Stadium and Joe Louis Arena were the other locations.
At the Fort Wayne War Memorial, Miami ended the Michigan magic ride, in overtime, 3-2. It will be Miami’s second straight Frozen Four. They lost to BostonUniversity, 4-3 in overtime at last years NCAA Championship.
BostonCollege under Coach Jerry York will get to their ninth finals in the last 13 years after beating Yale, 9-7. BC has won the title three times.
In only its fifth season of Division I play, RIT qualified by beating New Hampshire, 6-2.
The Tigers are on a roll, having won 12 straight.
Wisconsin the team with the largest following, qualified by beating St. CloudState, 5-3.
Expect to see a lot of red around Detroit during April 8-10. The Badgers have won five titles. Detroit has been a good destination for the University of Wisconsin as they won twice here.
There will be plenty of hockey related activities. There will be an adjacent Fan Fest at the GM-WinterGarden in the Ren-Cen. Also, on Friday there will be a NCAA Skills Challenge.
These will be the first ice hockey games ever at Ford Field. Seating will be about 35,000. Three game packages are still available starting at $40. 800-745-3000 and www.ticketmaster.com
Said CCHA Commissioner, Tom Anastos, “We have already sold 30,000 tickets for the “Frozen Four”. All the site lines are great and it is so different than traditional domes.”
Besides the Fan Fest, USA-Hockey will be conducting coach’s clinics. Anastos added, “We have an incredible product to sell and Detroit will be hockey central.”
Also, during the “Frozen Four”- the Hobey Baker Award will be announced. This will be part of the April 9, activities. This is presented to the outstanding collegiate hockey player in the country.
In conference play, the University of Michigan kept its 20 year streak of getting to the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament, beating Northern Michigan, 2-1.
Junior, Loui Caporusso scored two power play goals for the Wolverines, one being a tip in. Goalie Shawn Hunswick made 20 saves. Referring to his sophomore netminder, U. of M. coach Red Berenson said, “He came up big when he had to.” The Wolverines shut Northern Michigan down in the third period allowing only three shots on net.
From the CCHA, Michigan, Miami, Alaska-Fairbanks and Northern Michigan were seeded in the NCAA Tournament.
The four number one seeds were BostonCollege, Denver, Miami and Wisconsin. There were 16 teams in the NCAA playoffs at four regional sites.
FerrisState senior, Aaron Lewicki, was presented the Terry Flanagan Memorial Award
for perseverance and dedication to college hockey during the CCHA Awards Gala.
