04/10/26 07:17:00
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04/10 19:15 CDT Conference bragging rights on the line as Wisconsin faces
Denver for the NCAA hockey title
Conference bragging rights on the line as Wisconsin faces Denver for the NCAA
hockey title
By MARK ANDERSON
AP Sports Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP) --- Bruno Mars Day was celebrated outside T-Mobile Arena on
Friday, the recording artist honored for the musical impact he has had on Las
Vegas.
Another celebration will occur inside the building Saturday when Wisconsin
meets Denver for college hockey's national championship.
Both teams not only will be playing for the respective schools, but notable
conference bragging rights will be on the line, and the Big Ten comes into this
Frozen Four final with plenty to crow about.
Should the Badgers (24-12-2), who defeated North Dakota 2-1 in Thursday's
semifinals, emerge as the NCAA's newest champion, it will continue a remarkable
run for the conference. The Big Ten already is home to the current champions in
football ( Indiana ), men's basketball ( Michigan ) and women's basketball (
UCLA ).
Only the Southeastern Conference in the 2006-07 academic year produced such a
trifecta. Florida won the football and men's basketball titles and Tennessee
cut down the nets in women's basketball.
A victory by Wisconsin, a No. 3 regional seed, would set the Big Ten apart
because no conference has won championships in those three major sports and
men's hockey as well. To be fair, the Big Ten is the only power conference that
sanctions the sport, but it still doesn't discount the kind of run that
conference is on at the moment.
"It just speaks volumes to the skill level, all up and down the sports,"
Badgers defenseman Ben Dexheimer said. "First (priority) is the school. I think
it would be really cool to do it for the Big Ten."
Wisconsin has won six national championships, but its most recent was 20 years
ago.
Not only would a Wisconsin victory further separate the Big Ten, it also would
establish Madison as the country's college hockey capital. The women's team
defeated Ohio State for the national championship for its second title in a row
and third in four years.
That accomplishment would otherwise be another notch for the Big Ten since
Wisconsin and Ohio State are members, but the conference doesn't sanction
women's hockey.
"There's so many people that are behind the scenes that do so much work that we
want to win for them, too, as well as the guys in the locker room," Wisconsin
front-line center Gavin Morrissey said. "With the women's team, what they've
done, is so impressive over the last however many years. Just to catch up with
them a little bit would be great."
Denver, a No. 2 seed, has plenty to say lest anyone think this weekend will be
a Wisconsin coronation. The Pioneers (28-11-3), in fact, are the standard in
men's college hockey and what it takes to win this time of year.
Denver is going for its third championship in five years, and it already owns
the overall record with 10 titles. Big Ten teams don't scare the Pioneers, who
overcame being outshot 52-26 to defeat top overall seed Michigan 4-3 in double
overtime in the semifinals.
"You come to Denver to play in these games," Pioneers defenseman Cale Ashcroft
said.
If Saturday's title game is also a referendum on conferences, the National
Collegiate Hockey Conference doesn't have to back down to any league. The NCHC
can make a strong argument it is the country's best regardless of what happens
in the final, having claimed seven of the past nine national championships.
"It's a badge of honor for all of us to be part of the best conference in
college hockey," Denver coach David Carle said. "We're proud to be members. I
think a big part of our success as a league is how hard we are on each other
all throughout the year, but certainly in the second half when it comes down to
just conference play. We carry that torch very proudly. Look forward to doing
again tomorrow night for our league."
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