Frozen Four moves to bigger stage at Ford Field
March 30, 2010
Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves hopes that holding the Frozen Four at Ford Fieldin Detroit will help draw attention to college hockey the way NHL has benefitedfrom playing outdoor games.
“I think it’s a good idea to go and try it and see how it works out,” hesaid.
The NHL game at Wrigley Field last year between the Chicago Blackhawks andDetroit Red Wings drew the biggest television audience for a regular-season NHLgame in nearly 34 years. More than 30,000 fans are expected to attend the gamesin Detroit. The semifinals are on April 8 and the title game is April 10.
The Badgers (28-11-1), who are seeking their seventh national title, willface Rochester Tech in the opening game. The Tigers, who have won 12 straight,are in just their fifth season in Division I.
Miami of Ohio (29-7-7), which came within a minute of winning last seasonbefore blowing a two-goal lead and losing in overtime, will play Boston College(27-10-3). The Eagles have ended the RedHawks season in three of the past fouryears.
Eaves, who has coached the Badgers in outdoor games in front of 40,890 fansat Lambeau Field in 2006 and in front of 55,031 fans home at Camp Randall thispast February, said playing indoors in such a large venue will bring differentchallenges.
He expects it to be warmer in the larger venue and is concerned it couldcause players to cramp up.
“Another thing is, how far is the walk? I’ve heard rumors they’re going tohave golf carts for the goaltenders. So these are some of the logistics we’regoing to have to deal with,” he said.
Rochester Tech coach Wayne Wilson isn’t worried about the venue, he’s moreworried about how his team is going to handle playing on a bigger stage.
“There are a lot of possible traps and distractions out there. But withthis particular team it’s another game against another very good team in adifferent facility,” he said. “It’s Wisconsin on another ice sheet.”
He’s more concerned about the attention his team is receiving as heavyunderdogs. The Tigers entered the tournament as the 15th seed.
Wilson said he consulted with Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore, who lastyear became the first coach to guide a No. 16 seed into the Frozen Four. Wilsonsaid Serratore warned about not getting caught up in the media attention.
“The guys started believing everything and were all so excited that theylost a little bit of their grit, they just lost a bit along the way because ofthe attention they were getting through the media,” he said. “We can eitherlisten to him and benefit from someone whose been through it or do our own pathand maybe follow into the trap.”
