NCAA announces hockey tournament pairings
By Associated Press, 3/21/2004 22:26
BOSTON (AP) Maine's hard-fought win over Massachusetts on Saturday night was the longest game in Hockey East history. The Brown Bears are likely looking for easier victories on the road to the Frozen Four in Boston.
Maine (30-7-3) plays Harvard (18-14-3) on March 26 in the East Regional semifinals at Pepsi Arena in Albany, N.Y. The winner of that game will play the winner of the game between Ohio State (26-15) and Wisconsin (21-12-8) on March 27.
In the Northeast Regional semifinals, Boston College (27-8-4) faces Niagara (21-14-3) on March 27. On March 28, the winner plays the victor in the other semifinal matchup between Michigan (26-13-2) and New Hampshire (20-14-6).
The West Regional semifinals in Colorado Springs, Colo. on March 26 will put North Dakota (29-7-3) against Holy Cross (22-9-4). On March 27, the winner faces the winner of the game between Denver (23-12-5) and Miami, Ohio (23-13-4).
The Midwest Regional pits Minnesota (26-13-3) against Notre Dame (20-14-4) in Grand Rapids, Mich. on March 27. Minnesota Duluth (26-12-4) plays Michigan State (23-16-2) that same day, and the winner advances to the championship on March 28.
The finals of the Frozen Four will take place April 8-10 at the FleetCenter in Boston.
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