Irish Hockey

Maybe you can save this one to read right before the game on Saturday night (7:00 est ESPN), and a lot has been written recently about the Frozen Four, but its time we step back and look at this with some perspective.

Notre Dame is the first ever 4 seed to make it to the Frozen Four. And then they became the first ever 4 seed to make it to the Finals. This is roughly equivalent of a 12 or 13 seed making it this far. They have knocked off numerous highly favored teams. Teams like Michigan State, New Hampshire, and finally Michigan.

And Irish hockey fever is sweeping Irish Nation. Check out a screen shot of official Notre Dame website. Notre Dame hockey has overtaken a picture of the Pope.



Saturday Boston College will try to claim their third hockey champsionship and have reached the finals for the third year in a row.

They have a dominate goalie in Muse, who holds the BC record for saves in a season.

And lets not get ahead of ourselves. Three weeks ago, Notre Dame wasn't even sure if they would make the tournament at all.

This is David and Goliath. Its Team USA versus Russia (although I am 90% sure BC isn't communist. But Jesuit is close enough). It's Rocky against Apollo Creed. Rocky against Clubber Lane. Rocky against Ivan Drago. Sly Stalone's agent against saying "no".

Right now Notre Dame is 5-foot nothing. 100-nothing.

BC is running perfect formations as they warm up like the Hawks in Mighty Ducks. They are running lay up drills, while ND Coach Jim Jackson is measuring the size of the crease ("Same size as ours back in South Bend").

But don't think that Notre Dame's miracle run is over yet. Anything can happen. Afterall, guess when the last time BC actually beat Notre Dame (er, in hockey). Give up? 2001. Guess how BC fared against New Hampshire, the team ND dispatched 7-3 in the first round of the tournament? They lost all 3 times by a combined 12-3.

Think about the 2008 Super Bowl, think about Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

BC may have that great offense, but think about how great Notre Dame's defense has been.

Best of all, think how great it is to even have this opportunity. Its only one game and anything can happen. This isn't one of those scenarios where "if we can prevent penalties" or "If we can stop Gelde". There is no if's any more, only do.

So, without further ado, here is today's Friday, Get Pumped for the Weekend Video.

Go Irish.