Kim and I watched the semifinals of the Frozen Four last night from our tiny seats high up in the 300 level of the Pepsi Center. Since hearing that the hockey version of the Final Four was going to be held in Denver this year, I knew that I was going to be there. I somehow missed the ticket lottery, but was able to get some tickets on eBay for not much more than they would have cost in the lottery anyway.

I proudly wore my North Dakota hockey hat to the games last night, hoping the Sioux could pull out a win over a better Boston College team. My dreams were quickly crushed as the Eagles took a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period and never looked back. We left after the second period with the score at 6-0, and the final wasn’t much better at 6-1. After a quick dinner we arrived back at our seats just in time for the second game between Notre Dame and Michigan.

Like the first game, I was rooting for the underdog, Notre Dame. But unlike the first game, it was the underdog that started out with a quick lead, again 3-0 by the end of the first. This game was far from over though, and we watched as Michigan slowly clawed their way back into it. At the end of regulation, the game was tied 3-3. Despite it already getting late out, I was kept awake by the oncoming overtime action. It doesn’t get much better than these sudden death match-ups. The game was highly entertaining, and the overtime period was thrilling. Both teams had a few good chances, but the Fighting Irish pulled out the win just five minutes into the period. What a thriller!

I will again be cheering for Notre Dame in tomorrow’s championship game versus Boston College. Be sure to tune in on ESPN to see some great hockey action.