While UMass is appearing in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight event, it’s been more than a half decade since any of the other three teams in the Bridgeport Regional made the field.
Top-seeded Wisconsin – a six-time national champion – reached its first national postseason since 2014. The Badgers have played in 26 NCAA Tournaments in their history.
“Being a kid growing up in Madison I was always watching the Badgers, going to the Kohl Center and watching them play,” Wisconsin senior Tarek Baker said “To finally be here after four years is pretty special and a pretty big deal but more special to the fanbase and the donors and everyone else at Wisconsin finally bringing Badger hockey to what it’s supposed to be at.”
No. 3 Lake Superior State is in the national tournament for the first time since 1996. The Lakers have made 11 trips and won three national titles, but none since 1994.
“We had an unbelievable welcoming home party after the WCHA championship,” Lake State coach Damon Whitten said. “It’s a very proud program with the history and tradition. We’re excited we could bring some smiles back to so many.”
No. 4 Bemidji State boasts a storied hockey history at the Division III and Division II levels, and the program has been to five Division I NCAA tournaments. The Beavers are in a national regional for the first time since 2010.
“That’s just such a hockey community, Bemidji, the fans have been so supportive,” Bemidji senior Brad Johnson said. “I think it’s great for Minnesota hockey and Bemidji hockey. It’s great for our fans to put us on the national level.”
BEASTS OF THE EAST – Though the regional hosted in Bridgeport, Conn., is called the “East” regional, it’s only nominally. Wisconsin, Bemidji State (Minnesota) and Lake Superior State (Michigan) traveled from the Central Time Zone. They took flights, while UMass had a bus ride from Amherst.
The teams arrived Tuesday then entered the COVID-19 testing protocol. They quarantined for 36 hours before practicing Thursday.
“We travel pretty nice for Wisconsin and we’re grateful for that. The travel isn’t something out of the norm for us,” Baker said. “Staying in the hotel, it’s actually better because we get to all be around each other whether it’s around meals or sitting around the hotel or doing things outside together. At home you’re separated more so and you’re trying to stay within the guidelines.”
UMass junior Bobby Trivigno caught up on homework and played video games.
“It went by pretty quick, actually,” he said.
HELLO, HOBEY? – There are two Hobey Baker Top 10 finalists in the regional, and they both play for Wisconsin.
Both Cole Caufield and Dylan Holloway made the latest cut, which was announced March 17.
“A lot of respect, we have a lot of respect for every hockey player, but those guys are very dangerous players,” Bemidji coach Tom Serratore said. “You can try to keep an eye on them all you want, but they’re capable of getting open, capable of making plays, and that’s why they’re at the level they are.”
Caufield leads the nation with 28 goals and 49 points. He also averages 1.63 points per game, tops in the country, and his 10 power play goals also lead the country. The sophomore from Stevens Point, Wisc. was named the Big 10 Player of the Year and led the league in scoring for the second year in a row.
Holloway was named a first-team Big 10 all-star and tallied 23 assists – fourth nationally – and 11 goals.
NO FANS – Fans will be admitted at two of the four NCAA Regionals: Fargo, N.D., and Albany, N.Y. The four teams in Bridgeport will play in an empty arena that has become familiar for them at this point of the season.
“You kind of notice it until the puck drops then you lock into the game and get in the zone,” Johnson said
COVID REMAINS UNDEFEATED – Notre Dame won’t be able to compete in the Albany Regional because of COVID protocols. The game against No. 1 seed Boston College will be declared a no-contest, and the Eagles will advance to the regional final Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2. They’ll await either No. 2 St. Cloud State or No. 3 Boston University, which now play at 1 p.m. Saturday on ESPNNEWS after the game was moved up into the BC/Notre Dame time slot.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylgrbwsk.