Because they're still awaiting construction of their new arena, the Tigers played their third consecutive season at the Air Force's Cadet Ice Arena. The generals assigned CC to 16 afternoon games this year. A Hobey Baker Award finalist, Blake hurt a shoulder in North Dakota's West Regional victory against Cornell. Blais lists him as questionable for the Colorado College game. We've got pretty good defensemen and solid goaltending, but Jason is our guy, the one we look to in clutch situations.
Nothing is more important in tournament time, and all four teams have good ones.
Because of Michigan's overpowering offense and dominant defensemen, Marty Turco doesn't get a lot of attention. BU has gone with Michel Larocque down the stretch, and the guy has made the difference in a team without a lot of firepower. But the most intriguing goaltender in the tournament might be North Dakota freshman Aaron Schweitzer, who turned 18 on Dec. 1. On a hunch, Blais stuck him in the lineup after Christmas. Schweitzer pitched a 3-0 shutout against Colorado College on Jan. 25 and the Sioux went on to win the WCHA title.