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Nine former Stampede players to face off in Frozen Four

March 28, 2005 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release


If there was any question to what the most dominant conference in college hockey is, it was answered this past weekend when Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota and North Dakota advanced to the Frozen Four in Columbus, Ohio April 7th-9th.. It marks the first time in NCAA history that a Frozen Four has been made up of four teams from the same conference.

Former Stampede players shined once again in the regional playoffs and the Herd will have nine former players suiting up in Columbus for a chance to win a national championship. Here is a preview of the Frozen Four and how the teams made it to Ohio:

Denver vs Colorado College

Thursday, April 7th 1:00 PM

TV: ESPN2

WCHA Player-of-the-Year and Hobey Baker Finalist, Marty Sertich and the Colorado Tigers face the Denver Pioneers for the for the sixth time this season. The Tigers are 2-3-0 this season versus their interstate rival. The Pioneers defeated Colorado 1-0 on March 19th in the championship game of the WCHA Final Five tournament. The Tigers defeated Colgate 6-5 in the first round of the Midwest Regional. Sertich had a goal and an assist as the Tigers slipped past the Raiders.

The Tigers then moved on to face the #2 seeded Michigan Wolverines. Although the Tigers were the #1 seed, the Wolverines had the home ice advantage, playing in Grand Rapids, MI. The Tigers fell behind 3-0, but rallied to score four unanswered goals and took the game, 4-3. Sertich again tallied a goal and an assist in the win while Eric Werner recorded an assist in the loss for the Wolverines. Scott Thauwald and Jesse Stokke are also former Stampede players.

Although the Pioneers do not have any Stampede alumni on their roster, they do have some familiar names. Former Tri-City goaltender, Peter Mannino made 31 saves in Denver's 4-2 victory over New Hampshire yesterday. Former Omaha Lancer, Paul Stastny is second on the team in scoring with 42 points (15g, 27a). Former Stampede forward, Jacob Micflikier had a goal in the loss for the Wildcats.

North Dakota vs Minnesota

Thursday, April 7th 6:00 PM

TV: ESPN2

These two WCHA rivals will face-off in a rematch of their Final Five third-place game in which UND defeated the Gophers 4-2. The Fighting Sioux won the Northeast Regional by defeating Boston University, 4-0 and Boston College, 6-3 as the #2 seed. The Sioux have gotten hot at the right time, winning seven of their last eight games. Stampede alumni, James Massen and Quinn Fylling have been in the lineup on a consistent basis for the Sioux.

The Gophers used some home ice and a couple of overtime thrillers to advance to the Frozen Four. On Saturday, the Gophers topped Maine 1-0 in overtime. Kellen Briggs made 25 saves to earn the shutout while Andy Sertich earned an assist on the game-winning goal. Yesterday, the Gophers defeated Cornell 2-1 in overtime. Sertich had the game-tying goal while Briggs stopped 17 shots to earn the win. Briggs was named Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional and was also named to the All-Tournament Team along with defenseman Mike Vannelli. Alex Goligoski did not play because of a wrist injury, but could be ready to go by next weekend. The Gophers will play in their third Frozen Four in four years and 19th overall.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 28, 2005


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