Badgers' Eaves likes playing Frozen Four in big stadium

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MADISON - Wisconsin men’s hockey coach Mike Eaves says he’s excited about playing for a national championship in a large venue.

The NCAA Frozen Four opens a week from tomorrow at Ford Field in Detroit – and over 30,000 fans are expected to watch the Badgers play Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the semi-finals. Eaves says he hopes the large venue draws attention to college hockey, just like outdoor games have benefited the NHL.

Last year’s Chicago-Detroit contest at Wrigley Field drew the biggest TV audience for a pro hockey contest in 34 years. Eaves is no stranger to big stadiums. His Badgers played in front of 40,000 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay in 2006 – and over 55,000 watched them at Camp Randall in Madison a few weeks ago.

Ford Field is a domed stadium – and Eaves expects it to be warmer than normal, which could cause players to get cramps. And he wonders how far the players will have to walk to get to the ice. He says he’s heard rumors that they’ll need golf carts for the goal-tenders.

Boston College and Miami-of-Ohio will play in the other semi-final next Thursday. The two winners will play for the national title on April 10th.

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