Chicago, Illinois

Walking up to the United Center in Chicago. We have never parked this close to the arena before.

The Frozen Four moved to Chicago for 2017, and the Frozen Foursome was down to two of its regular members, and their ringleader unable to make the trip. All of this meant that we were getting by as the Frozen Trifecta.

Harvard & UMD during warmups

Harvard was to take on the University of Minnesota Duluth in the first game. Both teams had been number one seeds in their regional the week before.

Game One Introductions

Harvard would score first on a power play goal by Tyler Moy in the first period. Duluth had looked very good up to that point with several scoring chances behind an excellent forecheck, but it was the Crimson that would draw first blood.
The Bulldogs would tie things up 3-1/2 minutes later on a goal by Joey Anderson.
The second period was scoreless, and the game remained tied until late in the third. Duluth’s Willie Raskob placed a beautiful pass onto Alex Iafallo’ stick, and Iafallo slipped the puck between Harvard goaltender Merrick Madsen’s legs with 26.6 seconds remaining in the game, for a 2-1 UND lead.
UMD looked to be in great shape, but then they iced the puck. With the face-off deep in Duluth’s end, the Crimson furiously attacked the net, with a shot hitting the pipe, and another hitting the crossbar. Duluth would hang on to win, sending them into Saturday’s championship game.
Madsen had 36 saves for Harvard, and Hunter Miska had 39 for Duluth.

Denver and Notre Dame introductions

The University of Denver Pioneers would face the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in game two. It was obvious early, that the Irish would have their hands full. Denver totally dominated play in all three periods and would go on to a 6-1 win.
Cal Petersen of Notre Dame would have 36 saves on the night, and Tanner Jaillet of Denver would save 16 of the 17 shots he faced.

Announced attendance was 19,626.