Michigan goalie Billy Sauer, an Avalanche draft pick, will play for the second time at the Pepsi Center. The first time he did didn’t go so well.
Sauer and the Wolverines lost 8-5 a year ago to North Dakota in the West Regional at the arena.
At Wednesday’s Frozen Four news conference, Sauer was asked about the game, in which he allowed seven goals on 26 shots.
Michigan coach Red Berenson kindly interrupted and suggested last year was not important. So Sauer was asked about how he feels going into his second NCAA Tournament game at the Pepsi Center.
“I had a good year, and I feel comfortable,” Sauer said. “It makes no difference where I’m playing.”
Berenson later was asked if Sauer might have felt too much pressure a year ago, playing in the arena of his possible future workplace.
“It’s a coincidence, and a good story, but I don’t think it meant anything to Billy. I think it disappointed him,” Berenson said. “I mean, where else would you want to play our worst game? But I don’t think it matters now. He’s a different kid now.”
Sauer was selected by Colorado in the seventh round (201st overall) of the 2006 draft.
He was 18 at the time, and had just completed his freshman year at Michigan.
“He’s matured into an older goalie now that he’s 20. He’s played three years of college hockey,” Berenson said. “He was 17 when he came in, probably too young to be a starting goalie on our team.”
Growth of the game.
Boston College coach Jerry York recalled playing for the Eagles in 1965, when the NCAA Tournament semifinals and championship game were at Brown University in Providence, R.I.
“There were probably 3,500 people watching,” York said. “To think where it’s come from is great.”
This Frozen Four has been sold out for more than a year.
“If this (era) isn’t the pinnacle of college hockey, it’s really close, when you look at the past three decades,” York said. “This (Pepsi Center) venue is certainly one of the best we’ve played in.”
Return of the Irish.
Three weeks after the Notre Dame men’s basketball team played at the Pepsi Center in the NCAA Tournament first and second rounds, the Irish hockey team hopes to find better luck here. This is Notre Dame’s first Frozen Four.
“I haven’t heard ‘Is hockey Division I at Notre Dame?’ that I heard my freshman year,” Irish senior center Mark Van Guilder said.
Mike Chambers and Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
