On to the Finals!

I had hoped to have a preview of tonight's game against Northern up earlier in the week. Unfortunately, my fancy-schmancy hotel here in Biloxi was charging $12.99 a day for Internet access. Now that part of our group has left, the rest of us have decamped to a Holiday Inn that offers free Internet access.

I've been in Biloxi all week, and we took a day trip to New Orleans today. While the spirit of the folks down here is amazing, the damage down here - 30 months after Katrina - is simply indescribable. And they think that we're nuts up north to put up with all the snow.

Anyway, some thoughts on what I've been able to gather on tonight's action around the country.

• Tonight was the last time where Michigan will be able to get away with that sort of defensive zone play. One bad defensive zone turnover will get you killed; Michigan committed a bunch today.
• Kudos to Chad Kolarik, Scooter Vaughan, and Matt Rust for coming back so quickly from injuries.
• Notre Dame allowed Miami to tie Game 1 with 3.4 seconds left and then win it in overtime, which may well cost ND a shot at the NCAA tournament.
• North Dakota lost to Denver and Colorado College lost to Minnesota in the WCHA Final Five.
• Boston College knocked off New Hampshire in one of the Hockey East semis.

Only in the CCHA have the seedings held - and it took that last-second goal by Miami, and Michigan's third-period flurry to make that happen. Through two periods tonight, Michigan was outshooting Northern 30-8, but losing 3-2. For all of the things to be concerned about, you have to credit the Wolverines for the grit of guys like Kolarik, Vaughan, and Rust, and you have to credit them for staying on their game and not losing focus. this was the sort of game that Michigan usually loses.

Face-off against Miami is at 7:35 Eastern tonight (FSN Detroit). Tickets are available from Ticketmaster. Go cheer the guys on to victory!