Dustin

Yes, I know. That's why I feel a partnership with ESPN would be beneficial for growing interest. Even getting more NHL fans interested would be a big start.

Not sure it's outside the box. Outside of an OTA network, I can't think of a better platform to get college hockey on TV across the country than ESPN. To do that for more than 2 weekends a year would be huge for the sport.

If that happened, would that essentially dissolve NCHC.tv? And that would still have the NCHC needing a "TV" partner for games of the week, conference tournament games, etc. (Like CBSSN is now)?

Would a regular season partnership with the network that broadcasts the NCAA tournament help drive interest? I can't say for certain, but I don't think it would hurt.

I think the B1G has TV deals with 3 of the 4 major networks (NBC, CBS, and Fox). As for their content on cable, it may only be B1G Network. Don't take my word as 100% gospel on this, though.

If ESPN is interested, as indicated by the original poster, I don't know why you wouldn't try to make that happen. A co-worker who watches a lot of college basketball noted to me a while ago that Big Ten basketball games are hardly ever on ESPN anymore, so maybe the Big Ten has priced them out, and they are looking for cheaper content. A brand name broadcaster like ESPN might want content on nights that are non-traditional to college hockey, which I wouldn't like.

Hope he's still interested after interviewing for the head job. A USA Hockey connection would be awesome, IMO.

I guess I walked into that one.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/unds-search-for-associate-head-mens-hockey-coach-begins No mention of names in this article. I know there's a lot of Herter fans on this site, and that would be ok with me. What are some other names out there, do you think?

Starman and Saski did color and interviews for Westwood One radio coverage of the Frozen Four.

Does hockey broadcasts on B1G network. Not sure what else.

One thing I noticed different this year (maybe it happened earlier but I didn't catch it) is ESPN's commitment to covering the NCAA Hockey tournament. During the regionals and Frozen Four, they kept the studio team on during the period breaks and between games talking about the tournament, rather than send it back to Sportscenter (hardly any of which would be college hockey). Last night, they had a 30-minute pre-game, which I don't remember from before. Yes, John is pretty bad when it comes to play-by-play, and Colby just hits an annoying nerve, but at least they follow the season, unlike Barry Melrose. The regionals had pretty solid broadcast teams, I thought, too. It would be great to get the Championship game elevated beyond ESPN2 (pretty sure it used to be the flagship, at least some of the time), but overall, a solid effort from the ESPN networks.

The thing is, Western Michigan isn't really a rival of UND's. Yet. Maybe that comes later. I feel it's always right to cheer for a program to win their first. I was happy for Duluth when they won their first couple, but after that I got sick of them.

Yep. They'll become a Country Club crowd, like what happened here.

On point.

In addition to the ones mentioned earlier, BU in 2009 and Denver in 2005 are the only other ones since UND did it in 1997.

Yep, just found that.

I'll do a little research and see what I can find, since I am now interested in knowing this too.

For those lamenting UND's station, I have faith Jackson will be getting them to the FF before the decade ends.

I have no ill will towards BU, but when they play the likes of WMU, Providence, and Miami, I am not going to root for them. That comeback they had in 2009 still ticks me off.

Congrats to WMU!! Way to do the NCHC proud (Note: I would NOT be saying this about Denver). Thank you for knocking off Denver and BU on your way to the Natty. Now let's get Herter to Grand Forks.

It's over!!

And back in business.

After that replay shown coming back from commercial, I now believe the right call was made.

No touch was the analysis made on TV.