Altitude -- Given that Colorado Springs rests at higher elevation by far
than any of the other three regionals, does the elevation and the larger ice
surface give CC enough of an advantage to advance?  MSU and UND do not play
on the big sheet and UNH travels across the country the day before trying to
get acclimated to the higher elevation.  Given the bigger ice and back to
back games, I could easily see CC making their way home.  

Anyone else want to label the Colorado Springs bracket as the "Group of
Death" taking the term from the most challenging bracket in the World Cup
Soccer tournament?

As much as this long time Spartan hates to admit it, I think we're going to
hear a lot of "the Victors" in Denver.  Guess that pact I made with the
Devil last year for another Spartan National Championship in my lifetime
comes with some serious pay backs.

Speaking of UM, will Sauer win his "Clemmie" award?  In the fine tradition
of Scott Clemmensen, often maligned BC netminder who started in the Frozen
Four all four years, finally winning one in his Senior season and in fellow
Clemmie recipient Adam Hauser of Minnesota treating Gopher fans to 3 years
of frustration before blowing the roof of the Xcel Energy Center in 2002,
will Michigan's Sauer win his Clemmie?  

Does the Worcester bracket seem like a set up like 2005?  BC looked like the
class of the bracket favored over an unknown Mercyhurst, only to find them
taken to the limit.  The next night North Dakota lied in wait ambushing the
favored Eagles.  

BTW... if anyone did not get their e-invitation from the Washington DC Host
Committee for our kickoff party to the 2009 Frozen Four on the Friday before
the skills competition in Denver at the Blue Sky grill and you're going to
the tournament (and to DC!), email me and I will get you on the list.  Party
from 3-5 p.m.