College Hockey Update:  In opening round action of the NCAA Tournament in the Northeast Regional in Manchester, N.H., Massachusetts prevailed in a fast-paced game in which they dominated with their pressing offense, but Harvard responded with a stingy defense for most of the game.  UMass out-shot Harvard 36-17 in the game, but the first period was scoreless, and the game remained scoreless until Anthony Del Gaizo fished one out of a skirmish in the crease to put UMass up 1-0 fourteen minutes into the second.  The relentless UMass pace continued in the third and Harvard stood up well to it, until midway in the period when John Leonard got a half step on the defenders and put UMass up 2-0, seven minutes into the period.  Like an instant replay, Brett Boeing scored two minutes later to make it 3-0 UMass.  Harvard added an extra attacker late in the game, but Brett Boeing found the empty net with seconds left on the clock to make the final 4-0.  Massachusetts advances to play the winner of the Clarkson vs. Notre Dame game, to be played later today, in the Notheast Regional Final tomorrow, Saturday, at 3:30pm Pacific Time on ESPNU.

This game would not be considered an upset in our pool, as forty-eight out of fifty-seven qualified entries picked UMass, and only nine picked Harvard (one set of picks came in after the game and will not be counted as qualified for this game).

OUR POOL THIS YEAR

We have 58 participants in our pool, the highest number ever, eight more than our high water mark last year.  Our 58 participants picked eight different teams to win the NCAA Championship this year, and this provides how many participants selected each team:

• St. Cloud State     27
• Minn.-Duluth         18
• Massachusetts       5
• Mankato State        4
• Univ. of Denver       1
• Ohio State Univ.      1
• Northeastern U.      1
• Providence              1

That’s all for now.

Stay tune, and go Terriers!

— Tom