Today is Media Day in St. Paul. It's my favorite day to be a reporter because everyone is happy ;)
I'll be updating this space throughout the day as each team has their media availability, but if you want up-to-the-minute news and, of course, pictures, be sure to
follow my twitter feed!
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Two weeks ago, the Guentzels had a three in one chance of "going home" and having a family gathering at the Xcel Energy Center for the 2011 NCAA Frozen Four. Gabe, a junior defenseman at Colorado College, Ryan, a senior forward at Notre Dame, and their father Mike, an assistant coach at Nebraska-Omaha were all participating in the NCAA Tournament.
UNO lost in overtime to Michigan in the first game. CC also lost to the Wolverines in the West Regional Final. Fortunately for the Guentzels, Notre Dame defeated Merrimack in overtime and then took care of New Hampshire in the Northeast Regional Final to give the family a very good reason to come back to their Maplewood, MN home a bit sooner than expected.
A former captain for Hill-Murray HS, Ryan remembers when his dad won the National Championship in 2002 as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He remembers how exciting it was celebrating on the ice with the players and looks to draw on that experience this weekend as he and his teammates attempt to win Notre Dame's first national title on the same ice.
"I was watching some of the videos of it on youtube the other day and I even got text messages this week from players that were on that team," he said. "I remember how much fun that was and I want to experience it again."
Fortunately for Sally Guentzel, she won't have to divide her allegiance between her husband and her son or between her two boys as they will all be cheering for the Irish, if only for one weekend.
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If you've been paying attention, the past few weeks, you'd know that the UMD Bulldogs have all dyed their hair blonde for the postseason. Now...their family members are getting into the act as many of their dads and brothers and even Coach Sandelin's son have taken a dip in peroxide.
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Michigan-itis has run rampant through the Wolverines locker room this year - the feeling that they're going to win big games just because they're Michigan and that's what Michigan does - but according to sophomore forward, Chris Brown, they've found a cure and it's called effort.
He said it was based on desperation.
"When we got to the second half of the season and we looked at the schedule and the standings and the rankings, we realized that we needed to start winning more than every other game and we needed to do it now," Brown explained. "So we buckled down and stopped relying on skill to get us through because we aren't the most skilled team in the world, but we are the most willing to do the things that other teams aren't - like go to the net - that help you win hockey games."
The Wolverines are bringing their lunchpail tomorrow night against North Dakota...
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Michigan head coach Red Berenson hopes the Gopher fans in attendance will follow the philosophy of cheering for Minnesota and anyone who's playing North Dakota tomorrow night.
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Since the Xcel Energy Center hosts the WCHA Final Five, the Sioux have been here a time or two and know this building inside and out. While tomorrow's sold out crowd will likely be pro-Sioux in a big way, Brad Malone says he's only concerned with what goes on inside the glass. They know how crazy the crowd is going to be and they're looking to make the most of it and send their fans home happy.
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Julie
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