ST. PAUL, Minn. — College hockey’s annual showcase begins April 10 with the Frozen Four at the Pepsi Center. Starting today, a similarly tough affair takes place at the Xcel Energy Center, home of the WCHA Final Five.
That’s why Colorado College and the University of Denver aren’t looking too far ahead. While the ultimate goal is to win the national championship, winning the Final Five in the most electrifying amateur hockey atmosphere in the country would be a terrific preparation prize.
Plus, the Tigers and Pioneers are already in today’s Final Five semifinals. Third-seed DU faces No. 2 North Dakota in the matinee game, followed by No. 1 CC against No. 5 Minnesota, which defeated No. 4 St. Cloud State 3-2 on Thursday night.
Both Front Range programs are making their first Final Five appearances since 2005, when DU beat CC 1-0 in the championship game
CC, which is guaranteed to play at next weekend’s West Regional at the Colorado Springs World Arena, is vying for one of four No. 1 NCAA seeds. DU probably can’t move from a No. 2 seed, and Air Force — which garnered an automatic berth by winning the Atlantic Hockey Association playoff crown — will be a No. 4.
Meanwhile, CC and DU found common ground Thursday at the WCHA awards banquet. Both teams were shocked at the Hobey Baker Award omissions of CC junior forward Chad Rau and Tigers freshman goalie Richard Bachman.
Rau (WCHA-high 27 goals) and Bachman (NCAA-best .935 save percentage) were named all-WCHA first team, with Rau collecting the most overall votes and Bachman capturing player of the year honors.
But neither was named one of 10 national player of the year finalists on a list that included three other WCHA players.
“Two of the best players in the best conference, and they don’t get in?” said Butler, who was named all-WCHA second team. “I played against both, and they’re pretty special players.”
“The only thing I can think of (about Bachman) is, nationally he wasn’t given consideration by some coaches outside our league because he was a freshman,” DU coach George Gwozdecky said. “Chad Rau, it’s a crime that he’s not a candidate.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
WCHA Final Five
At Xcel Energy Center St. Paul, Minn.
DENVER VS. NORTH DAKOTA
What: WCHA semifinal
When: Today, 1 p.m.
TV/Radio: None/KCKK 1510 AM
Records: DU (24-13-1), UND (25-9-4)
Notes: The game will be aired on tape-delay at 5 p.m. on Fox Sports Rocky Mountain. . . . DU is seeking its record 15th WCHA playoff championship but is making its first appearance in the league semifinals since 2005. The Pioneers are 4-0 in Final Five games at the Xcel Energy Center.
COLORADO COLLEGE VS. MINNESOTA
What: WCHA semifinal
When: Tonight, 6 p.m.
TV/Radio: KOAA-TV Ch. 3 and 30 (Southern Colorado)/KYZX 103.9 FM, KKFN 950 AM
Records: Minnesota (18-15-9), Colorado College (28-9-1)
Notes: CC is 12-12 in WCHA playoff championships, including 3-7 in the semifinals. The Tigers are 0-3 in championship games and 6-1 in consolation contests.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
