So I couldn't catch the games but did box score watch BC-Minnesota as it was hyped as this big offense vs defense match-up. Then when BC faced Ferris State no one was giving FS a chance in hell to win so I lost interest.

Regardless w/ everything going on in the NHL playoffs, it has been a blast to watch/listen(radio). I've had several heart attacks in this series where all 3 games have gone to OT.

Hardly the marketing draw of ncaa football or basketball, I know. But if you like hockey without any (significant) fighting, it's the only game on ice.

I think the NHL playoffs will get better in the next round - there were a lot of grudge match-ups this year in the first round, it seems...

is if I understand who played where and what divisions and the quality of those divisions(and those teams don't play in the traditional conferences you're familiar with). It is different than NCAA football where from BC to SDSU you know the teams that are Div. I and play in the best division. I get lost in this WHCA and CCHA(I'm sure I got these wrong) and then I look for my team Arizona State(ability to follow my team is the only thing that will significantly pique my interest) and notice they are #4 in Div. I so I assume Div. I is lower tier then WHCA or whatever group of teams gets invited to the Frozen Four?

I didn't even know they had a program...

I see where you are confused, though. I searched the definitive college hockey site (USCHO) for ASU and found very few recent references. They don't have a DIV. I program. They probably have a club program, as I found them on a schedule with a Div III team listed as an exhibition. (Strangely, there is no Div. II ) There are only about 60 teams in NCAA Div I hockey, in five conferences. Size of the school doesn't matter as much as competitiveness. This year's Frozen Four was an extreme example, with two otherwise obscure and small schools getting in (Ferris St., Union). One team (Alabama-Huntsville) is independent and struggling. Apparently the Big 10 is about to launch a new league in a couple years which may elevate the exposure of college hockey in general. I think eventually more of the major programs will adopt it, but it's hard to bring new sports in these days so it's a slow process.

You can find the conferences/teams, etc. under the Division tabs here: http://www.uscho.com/

I understand you not being very interested if ASU doesn't field a Div I team; support their club, though, that's where everybody gets started these days, and with such a small field a major player can become competitive and move up quickly! It takes fan/alumni interest.

This is what confuses is the multiple HA's and determining which is the better ones.

Here is the webpage with rankings #4---http://www.sundevilhockey.com/DI/

Thanks for the info!

As opposed to a Varsity sport - I'm not sure but I suspect that they are exempt from Title IX requirements, no scholarships, etc... (Don't be fooled by the big name schools. I see they are playing Penn St next year - I bet if you check PS' schedule, the game will be listed as an exhibition.) It's like a transition stage from intramurals where they play other schools. Alabama-Huntsville almost went back to club status this year until some boosters and other Div. I programs supported them. (Maine scheduled them, for instance. )

And everybody knows Hockey East is the premier conference in college hockey!

eta: I poked around a little more and it looks like Penn State is also a club team, which makes sense to me as I'm not familiar with them...

I got curious myself about club sports; at the risk of beating a dead horse: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collegiate_club_sports

Penn St Division 1 is #1 in the standings so it should be a tough game either way. OK I see your edit but I will leave it up.

Thanks again for the info, I'm learning a lot.

I noticed something about the Big Ten---When the Big Ten Hockey Conference was announced on March 21, 2011 – Penn State having added a hockey team to bring the total Big Ten teams to six – the college hockey landscape was shaken
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collegiate_Hockey_Conference

So I wonder if Penn St Division 1 is a club team or that very team is going to be joining the Big Ten when Big Ten begins college hockey play in 2013-2014.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ten_Conference#Men.27s_sports

Most of the Big 10 teams that are forming the conference are established teams, such as Minnesota and the various Michigan's, for example. Penn St will have to step up to a varsity sport to join them, as the whole conference will need to be eligible. They don't have to offer scholarships, though. Union didn't have any, and they made the Frozen Four...

And no penalty?! Four officials missed that? Torres, who has a history of thugishness, should miss as many games, or more, as Hossa will. And the Coyotes should not be able to replace him on the roster. Enough is enough!

I was rooting against them on the PP because it was mind blowing the Blackhawks were the team that was penalized during the whole incident. I watch local NBC because I like the sports guys but the anchor filled in for them and when recapping that play he said, "No penalty was called, it was a clean hit." I cursed at the TV because just because the Refs don't call something doesn't mean it was clean. All around poorly officiated game that strongly favored the Coyotes, I hate to admit.