 2012 Frozen Four logo | |
| Teams | 16 |
|---|---|
| Finals site | |
| Champions | Boston College Eagles (5th title) |
| Runner-up | Ferris State Bulldogs (1st title game) |
| Semifinalists |
|
| Winning coach | Jerry York (5th title) |
| MOP | Parker Milner (Boston College) |
| Attendance | 18,818 (Championship) 56,028 (Frozen Four) 127,640 (Tournament) |
The2012NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament involved sixteen schools insingle-elimination play to determine the national champion of men'sNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)Division Icollege ice hockey for the2011–12 season. The tournament began on March 23, 2012, with regional semifinals and ended on April 7 with the national championship game.[1] TheBoston College Eagles won their third national championship in five years, beating theFerris State Bulldogs, 4–1, in the championship game. BC won nineteen consecutive games to end the season. It is the fifth title for both the program and the last under head coachJerry York – York previously coachedBowling Green to a championship in1984. and retired in 2022.
This year’s Frozen Four featured multiple teams,Ferris State andUnion, making their first appearance. This last occurred in2009, whenBemidji State andMiami both made their first Frozen Four appearances.
The four regionals are officially named after their geographic areas. The following are the sites for the 2012 regionals:[1]
Each regional winner will advance to theFrozen Four:[1]
The at-large bids and seeding for each team in the tournament were announced on March 18.[2] TheCentral Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) had five teams receive a berth in the tournament, theWestern Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) andHockey East had four teams receive a berth,ECAC Hockey had two teams receive a berth, andAtlantic Hockey had one team receive a berth.
| East Regional –Bridgeport | Midwest Regional –Green Bay | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | School | Conference | Record | Berth type | Seed | School | Conference | Record | Berth type |
| 1 | Union (3) | ECAC Hockey | 24–7–7 | Tournament champion | 1 | Michigan (2) | CCHA | 24–12–4 | At-large bid |
| 2 | Miami | CCHA | 24–14–2 | At-large bid | 2 | Ferris State | CCHA | 23–11–5 | At-large bid |
| 3 | Massachusetts–Lowell | Hockey East | 23–12–1 | At-large bid | 3 | Denver | WCHA | 25–13–4 | At-large bid |
| 4 | Michigan State | CCHA | 19–15–4 | At-large bid | 4 | Cornell | ECAC Hockey | 18–8–7 | At-large bid |
| Northeast Regional –Worcester | West Regional –Saint Paul | ||||||||
| Seed | School | Conference | Record | Berth type | Seed | School | Conference | Record | Berth type |
| 1 | Boston College (1) | Hockey East | 29–10–1 | Tournament champion | 1 | North Dakota (4) | WCHA | 25–12–3 | Tournament champion |
| 2 | Minnesota–Duluth | WCHA | 24–9–6 | At-large bid | 2 | Minnesota | WCHA | 26–13–1 | At-large bid |
| 3 | Maine | Hockey East | 23–13–3 | At-large bid | 3 | Boston University | Hockey East | 23–14–1 | At-large bid |
| 4 | Air Force | Atlantic Hockey | 21–10–7 | Tournament champion | 4 | Western Michigan | CCHA | 21–13–6 | Tournament champion |
Number in parentheses denotes overall seed in the tournament.
| Regional semifinals March 24 | Regional Final March 25 | ||||||||
| 1 | Boston College (1) | 2 | |||||||
| 4 | Air Force | 0 | |||||||
| 1 | Boston College | 4 | |||||||
| 2 | Minnesota-Duluth | 0 | |||||||
| 3 | Maine | 2 | |||||||
| 2 | Minnesota–Duluth | 5 | |||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
All times are local (UTC−4).
| March 24, 2012 4:00 pm | (4) Air Force | 0–2 (0–1, 0–0, 0–1) | (1) Boston College | DCU Center,Worcester Attendance: 5,925 |
| Game reference | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Torf | Goalies | Parker Milner | Referees: Mark Wilkins Barry Pochmara | |||||
| ||||||||
| 10 min | Penalties | 4 min | ||||||
| 20 | Shots | 34 | ||||||
| March 24, 2012 7:30 pm | (3) Maine | 2–5 (1–0, 1–3, 0–2) | (2) Minnesota–Duluth | DCU Center,Worcester Attendance: 5,925 |
| Game reference | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Sullivan | Goalies | Kenny Reiter | Referees: Steve McInchak Brian Aaron | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 min | Penalties | 10 min | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | Shots | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| March 25, 2012 8:00 pm | (2) Minnesota-Duluth | 0–4 (0–0, 0–2, 0–2) | (1) Boston College | DCU Center,Worcester Attendance: 4,470 |
| Game reference | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny Reiter | Goalies | Parker Milner | Referees: Barry Pochmara Steve McInchak | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| 8 min | Penalties | 12 min | ||||||||||||
| 33 | Shots | 24 | ||||||||||||
| Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional Final March 24 | ||||||||
| 1 | Michigan (2) | 2 | |||||||
| 4 | Cornell | 3* | |||||||
| 4 | Cornell | 1 | |||||||
| 2 | Ferris State | 2 | |||||||
| 3 | Denver | 1 | |||||||
| 2 | Ferris State | 2 | |||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
All times are local (UTC−5).
| March 23, 2012 4:30pm | (3) Denver | 1–2 (0–0, 0–1, 1–1) | (2) Ferris State | Resch Center,Green Bay Attendance: 3,465 |
| Game reference | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Brittain | Goalies | Taylor Nelson | Referees: Tom Fyrer Tim Benedetto | ||||||||
| |||||||||||
| 8 min | Penalties | 10 min | |||||||||
| 26 | Shots | 34 | |||||||||
| March 23, 2012 8:00pm | (4) Cornell | 3 – 2OT (1–1, 1–0, 0–1, 1–0) | (1) Michigan | Resch Center,Green Bay Attendance: 3,465 |
| Game reference | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Iles | Goalies | Shawn Hunwick | Referees: Steve Morofsky Ryan Sweeney | ||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
| 27 min | Penalties | 10 min | |||||||||||||||
| 24 | Shots | 33 | |||||||||||||||
| March 24, 2012 8:00pm | (4) Cornell | 1–2 (0–0, 0–0, 1–2) | (2) Ferris State | Resch Center,Green Bay Attendance: 3,108 |
| Game reference | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Iles | Goalies | Taylor Nelson | Referees: Bob Bernard Brandan Kelleher | ||||||||
| |||||||||||
| 12 min | Penalties | 27 min | |||||||||
| 23 | Shots | 21 | |||||||||
| Regional semifinals March 23 | Regional Final March 24 | ||||||||
| 1 | Union (3) | 3 | |||||||
| 4 | Michigan State | 1 | |||||||
| 1 | Union | 4 | |||||||
| 3 | Massachusetts–Lowell | 2 | |||||||
| 3 | Massachusetts–Lowell | 4* | |||||||
| 2 | Miami | 3 | |||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
All times are local (UTC−4).
| March 23, 2012 3:00pm | (4) Michigan State | 1–3 (0–1, 1–1, 0–1) | (1) Union | Webster Bank Arena,Bridgeport Attendance: 5,090 |
| Game reference | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Yanakeff | Goalies | Troy Grosenick | Referees: Derek Sheperd Marco Hunt | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| 23 min | Penalties | 8 min | ||||||||||||
| 21 | Shots | 32 | ||||||||||||
| March 23, 2012 6:30pm | (3) Massachusetts–Lowell | 4 – 3OT (2–0, 1–0, 0–3, 1–0) | (2) Miami | Webster Bank Arena,Bridgeport Attendance: 5,090 |
| Game reference | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Carr | Goalies | Connor Knapp | Referees: Don Adam Tim Walsh | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 min | Penalties | 20 min | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 | Shots | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| March 24, 2012 6:30pm | (3) Massachusetts–Lowell | 2–4 (0–1, 1–2, 1–1) | (1) Union | Webster Bank Arena,Bridgeport Attendance: 5,328 |
| Game reference | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Carr | Goalies | Troy Grosenick | Referees: Derek Sheperd Marco Hunt | |||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 min | Penalties | 10 min | ||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | Shots | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Regional semifinals March 24 | Regional Final March 25 | ||||||||
| 1 | North Dakota (4) | 3 | |||||||
| 4 | Western Michigan | 1 | |||||||
| 1 | North Dakota | 2 | |||||||
| 2 | Minnesota | 5 | |||||||
| 3 | Boston University | 3 | |||||||
| 2 | Minnesota | 7 | |||||||
Note: * denotes overtime period(s)
All times are local (UTC−5).
| March 24, 2012 12:30 pm | (4) Western Michigan | 1–3 (0–1, 1–1, 0–1) | (1) North Dakota | Xcel Energy Center,Saint Paul Attendance: 9,386 |
| Game reference | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Slubowski | Goalies | Aaron Dell | Referees: Tim Kotyra Scott Whittemore | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| 6 min | Penalties | 8 min | ||||||||||||
| 25 | Shots | 28 | ||||||||||||
| March 24, 2012 4:00 pm | (3) Boston University | 3–7 (0–1, 2–3, 1–3) | (2) Minnesota | Xcel Energy Center,Saint Paul Attendance: 9,386 |
| Game reference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kieran Millan | Goalies | Kent Patterson | Referees: Chip McDonald Peter Feola | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 min | Penalties | 18 min | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34 | Shots | 42 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 25, 2012 4:30 pm | (2) Minnesota | 5–2 (1–0, 3–1, 1–1) | (1) North Dakota | Xcel Energy Center,Saint Paul Attendance: 10,974 |
| Game reference | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kent Patterson | Goalies | Aaron Dell | Referees: Peter Feola Tim Kotyra | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 min | Penalties | 8 min | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 24 | Shots | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| National semifinals April 5 | National Championship April 7 | ||||||||
| NE1 | Boston College | 6 | |||||||
| W2 | Minnesota | 1 | |||||||
| NE1 | Boston College | 4 | |||||||
| MW2 | Ferris State | 1 | |||||||
| E1 | Union | 1 | |||||||
| MW2 | Ferris State | 3 | |||||||
| April 5, 2012 4:30 pm | Union | 1–3 (0–0, 1–1, 0–2) | Ferris State | Tampa Bay Times Forum,Tampa Attendance: 18,605 |
| Game reference | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy Grosenick | Goalies | Taylor Nelson | Referees: Kevin Shea, Scott Hansen Linesmen: Chris Aughe, Bob Bernard | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
| 10 min | Penalties | 4 min | ||||||||||||
| 28 | Shots | 37 | ||||||||||||
| April 5, 2012 8:00 pm | Boston College | 6–1 (1–0, 3–0, 2–1) | Minnesota | Tampa Bay Times Forum,Tampa Attendance: 18,605 |
| Game reference | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parker Milner | Goalies | Kent Patterson | Referees: Tim Kotyra, Pete Feola Linesmen: Glenn Cooke, Dave Brown | ||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 min | Penalties | 14 min | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 31 | Shots | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| April 7, 2012 7:00 pm | Boston College | 4–1 (2–1, 0–0, 2–0) | Ferris State | Tampa Bay Times Forum,Tampa Attendance: 18,818 |
| Game reference | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Referees: Tim Kotyra Peter Feola Linesmen: Dave Brown Glenn Cooke | ||||
| Scoring summary | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Team | Goal | Assist(s) | Time | Score |
| 1st | BC | Steven Whitney (15) | Almeida | 03:18 | 1–0 BC |
| FSU | Garrett Thompson (11) | Huff and Ouellette | 05:19 | 1–1 | |
| BC | Paul Carey (18) –GW PP | Dumoulin and Mullane | 10:33 | 2–1 BC | |
| 2nd | None | ||||
| 3rd | BC | Johnny Gaudreau (21) | Hayes andWey | 56:58 | 3–1 BC |
| BC | Steven Whitney (16) –EN | Arnold | 58:57 | 4–1 BC | |
| Penalty summary | |||||
| Period | Team | Player | Penalty | Time | PIM |
| 1st | FSU | Brett Wysopal | Tripping | 08:42 | 2:00 |
| 2nd | FSU | Scott Czarnowczan | Roughing | 22:31 | 2:00 |
| BC | Michael Sit | Roughing | 22:31 | 2:00 | |
| BC | Paul Carey | Tripping | 24:48 | 2:00 | |
| BC | Tommy Cross | Hooking | 30:35 | 2:00 | |
| BC | Bench (Served byQuinn Smith) | Too many men on ice | 35:06 | 2:00 | |
| BC | Bill Arnold | Roughing | 39:36 | 2:00 | |
| 3rd | FSU | Brett Wysopal | Hooking | 41:47 | 2:00 |
| FSU | Brett Wysopal | Holding | 48:32 | 2:00 | |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Conference | # of Bids | Record | Win % | Regional Finals | Frozen Four | Championship Game | Champions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCHA | 5 | 3–5 | .375 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| Hockey East | 4 | 5–3 | .625 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| WCHA | 4 | 4–4 | .500 | 3 | 1 | - | - |
| ECAC Hockey | 2 | 3–2 | .600 | 2 | 1 | - | - |
| Atlantic Hockey | 1 | 0–1 | .000 | - | - | - | - |
ESPN had US television rights to all games during the tournament.[3] For the eighth consecutive year ESPN aired every game, beginning with the regionals, on ESPN,ESPN2, andESPNU, andESPN3. They also streamed them online viaWatchESPN.
Regionals
Frozen Four & Championship
Dial Global Sports used exclusive radio rights to air both the semifinals and the championship, AKA the "Frozen Four."[4]
*Most Outstanding Player(s)[5]