By Allie Davison, Wharton High

Saturday, April 7, 10:06 - In a record breaking crowd of 18,818, Boston College won the 2012 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship with a 4-1 victory over Ferris State. This title becomes the fifth in school history, as well as Jerry York's fifth, and their third in the last five seasons. Coming in as the underdogs, Ferris State played a tough game, but not being able to score on any of their four power plays is what hurt the Bulldogs in the end. Steve Whitney and Johnny Gaudreau scored for the Eagles in the third and Parker Milner finished the game with a .964 save % and turned away 27 of 28 shots. Milner went on to be honored as the tournament's MVP.  

Final stats-

Parker Milner: .964 save %, 27/28 shots saved in 60 minutes

Taylor Nelson: .917 save %, 33/36 shots save in 59:23 minutes 

Boston College

Shots: 37

FOW: 46

PP: 1/3

BS: 20

Ferris State

Shots: 28

FOW: 33

PP: 0/4

BS: 15

Saturday, April 7, 8:46 - I'm sure Ferris State wish they could re-do that second period. The Bulldogs went 0/3 on the power play and will have 1:37 left to start the third on their fourth. I have a funny feeling that unless, Ferris State can capitalize on this PP we will see Boston College become the National Champs. However, Taylor Nelson for the Bulldogs has kept this game as close as it can get. With a .909 save % and 20/22 shots saved through two periods, the senior has earned major credit in his performance. Boston College needs to control their discipline these last 20 minutes. Can't afford to give Ferris State too many chances man-up. 

*Late correction by scoring staff: Ferris State's first goal now scored by Garrett Thompson.*

Saturday, April 7, 7:48 - In a game that has been dubbed by many as a "David and Goliath" type, neither team looked to be experiencing any nerves in the first 20 minutes of play. (No.1) Boston College started the scoring early with Steven Whitney scoring his 15th on the season 3:18 into the first. Less than three minutes after, (No.9) Ferris State's Travis Ouellette scored his 10th to tie the game at 1-1. With :09 left in the Eagles first PP, Paul Carey scored his third of the tournament to put Boston College up 2-1. Standing on his head...AGAIN, Parker Milner continues to be the MVP of this Eagles' team. Making a huge sprawling save with :28 left in the period, he has controlled Ferris State's offensive with ease. Still to early to call this one, but it's been an awesome game thus far. 

Saturday, April 7 5:37- We are just a little under two hours before the final puck drop for the Frozen Four tournament in Tampa, FL. Tonight's National Championship game features powerhouse Boston College and first-timers Ferris State. Unsure of who is getting your support? Here is a quick overview on each team.

Boston College-

The 2012 season marks Boston College's 23rd appearance in the Frozen Four. Since, 1998 the Eagles have advanced to the tournament more than any other team in the country. 

How did they get here: Well, winning 17 straight games helps. Since going 6-9-1 in late January, Boston College has put together the longest streak currently amongst Divison 1 teams. Within that streak, the team scored 17 power play goals, averaged 3.9 goals per game, and held their opposition to 1.1 per game. Freshman forward Johnny Gaurdreau led with a team-high 24 points (12G/12A) and junior winger Chris Kreider (Rangers prospect) had 18 points during the streak. 

Man behind the bench: Jerry York has led the Eagles to 13 NCAA Tournament berths. Out of those 13, 12 have managed to skate into the semi-finals/championship round. York also holds the title of most wins in the Divison 1 tournament with 35 (includes wins with previous school, Bowling Green). 

Ferris State- 

Tonight's game will be the first time Ferris State will skate for a National Title. This Frozen Four was also the Bulldogs first appearance and only their second time receiving an NCAA Tournament berth. 

How did they get here: Ferris State won the CCHA Regular-Season Championship for only the second time.  The team was also ranked first in the nation for the first time in school history for two weeks in February. After a bumpy December (1-5), the Bulldogs patched things together the second half and went on to become the first team in the league to reach 22 wins after going 11-0-4 in the New Year.  Credit goes to their defense. Throughout the season, Ferris State's blue line has sacrificed their bodies 474 times to block shots. Senior defender, Chad Billins is third on the team, with 29 points (7G/22A).

Man behind the bench: In his 20th season as the Bulldogs' Head Coach, Bob Daniels has become the all-time winningest coach in Ferris State history. Prior to the '10-'11 season, Daniels was listed 15th in victories amongst NCAA-1 active coaches and ranked 48th place all-time in victories. He always won this year's Spencer Penrose Award. His second in the last ten years (won it in 2003). 

Thursday, April 5, - In front of 18,605 (official announcement) hopeful fans, Boston College showcased their scoring ability and reasons why they deserved the number one overall seed in the tournament. Chris Kreider, Paul Carey (2), and Brian Dumolin tallied goals in the third period giving the Eagles a convincing 6-1 victory over Minnesota. The Gophers looked like they were mounting an epic four goal combeack after Jake Hansen scored less than two minutes in. However, Boston College scored 30 seconds later and ended whatever momentum Minnesota held. Boston College will meet Ferris State, Saturday for the 2012 National Title game. Puck drop scheduled for 7:04 pm on ESPN2.

Kent Patterson - .790 save %, 19 out of 25 saves in 57:57 minutes of play.

Parker Milner- .980 save %, 30 out of 31 saves in 60:00 minutes of play.

Final stats

Boston College:

Shots- 25

FOW- 37

PP- 2/4

BS- 21

Minnesota:

Shots- 31

FOW- 45

PP- 0/4

BS- 12

Thursday, April 5, 9:58- Capitalizing on their special team opportunities, Boston College extended their lead to 2-0 at 6:35 into the second. Chicago Blackhawk prospect Kevin Hayes scored his seventh of the season with a power play goal. Eagles scoring didn't stop their. With 2:15 left, the Eagles went up 3-0 after a beautiful 2-on-1 rush with a finish by NY Rangers prospect Chris Kreider. His 23rd on the season. Not wanting to left off the gas, Paul Carey scored his 16th on the season and kicked the Eagles up 4-0. Minnesota leads both teams with 21 shots on goal, but Milner continutes to be the most outstanding player on the ice. #35 for Boston College looks calm, cool, and collected. At this point, I don't think the Gophers have the ability to come from behind...four times. Crazier things have happened though. Boston College leads 4-0 after 40 minutes. 

Thursday, April 5, 8:54- In a high intensity game right from the puck drop, Boston College's Steven Whitney tapped one in to put the Eagles up 1-0 at 6:03 in the first. It was Whitney's 14th on the season. Unlike the earlier semi-final, neither team wasted much time finding their skates. Much more hard-pounding, up-tempo style hockey than Union and Ferris State. Minnesota went on the games first power play with 4:00 left in the first, but played timid hockey and didn't capitalize. As I expected, Parker Milner for BC played phenomenal. Stopped all 10 shots faced. Boston College leads 1-0 after the first 20 minutes of play. 

Thursday, April 5, 7:00 - After a hard fought battle on the ice, Ferris State's Kyle Bonis scored his second of the night and Aaron Schmit scored on an empty net goal with :54.8 left to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 victory and a chance to play for their first National Championship. 

Final Stats

Ferris State: 

Shots- 37

Saves- 27

FOW- 32

PP- 1/4

BS- 24

Union College: 

Shots- 28

Saves- 34

FOW- 44

PP- 0/1

BS- 20

Thursday, April 5, 6:57- T-minus 60 minutes until the highly anticipated semi-final match-up between powerhouse programs Boston College and Minnesota who have 43 Frozen Four appearances between them. Ferris State anxiously awaits the winner for a chance at becoming the 2012 National Champions.

Quick facts on both teams:

Boston College - Located in Boston, MA

Miles traveled: 1,183

School population: 14,513

Playmakers: F Chris Kreider is probably the most dynamic player on the ice in this game. A first round draft pick by the New York Rangers in ’09, Kreider has 22G/21A for the Eagles this season. After the tournament he must make a life-changing decision on whether or not to join the Rangers in their quest for the Stanley Cup.

Interesting fact: Since going 6-9-1 in late January, Boston College went on a 17-game win streak.

Minnesota - Located in Minneapolis, MN

Miles traveled: 1,568

School population: 64,964

Playmakers: Minnesota Wild prospect Erik Haula leads the Gophers with 20 goals, 28 assists, and is tied for second on the team with 8 power play goals. Minnesota’s goalie Kent Patterson will have to play huge. With a 2.24 GAA and .911% save percentage, Patterson must keep calm inside the paint.

Interesting fact: The Gophers have 19 underclassman AND 19 National Hockey League prospects. 

Thursday, April 5, 6:08 - Only 20 minutes left before we find out who will be playing the winner of the Boston College/Minnesota semi-final in Saturday's National Championship.

Observations after two periods: Like I expected, both teams came out much more aggressive along the boards and made much sharper passes. Union held much of the momentum early keeping the puck in the Ferris State end for much of the first five minutes. Their consistent dominance was rewarded 7:56 into the second, off a one-time shot by junior D Greg Coburn tipped upfront by teammate Daniel Carr. Carr became the first Union player to have consecutive 20 goal seasons. Ferris State drew the game's only two penalties and converted off the second with the tying goal scored by Kyle Bonis(19) with less than 3 minutes left. A National Championship berth on the line with 20 minutes to go...this game just got a whole lot more interesting. 

Thursday, April 5, 5:17- One period down. Two more to go.

Observations after the first 20 minutes: Both teams are finding it difficult to go up the middle and find centering passes. Shots favored Ferris State 7-6, with their best chance coming off a one-timer from center ice that rung off the post catching Union's Troy Grosenick off gaurd. No penalties were called which is huge. Union's power play ranks 4th nationally (24.3%) and Ferris State's penalty kill slides in at 6th (85.8%). Another interesting stat: Ferris State had 9 blocked shots in the first. I expect both teams to come out stronger on their forchecking in order to swing momentum. If not, I easily see this game going OT.

Thursday, April 5, 3:06- We are officially one hour away before the puck drops here at the Tampa Bay Times Forum! The first semi-final match will feature Ferris State College and Union College. Here are some quick facts on both schools:

Ferris State- Located in Big Rapids, MI

Regular season record? 25-11-5

Miles traveled? 1,340 

School population? 14,560

Frozen Four appearances? First time

Difference makers? Senior G Taylor Nelson. Ranked fifth nationally in team defense, only allowing 2.17 goals per game and has a .935% on the season. Senior C Jordie Johnston. Leads the team with 20 G and 120 SOG.

Union College- Located in Schenectady, NY

Regular season record? 26-7-7

Miles traveled? 1,297

School population? 2,200

Frozen Four appearances? First time

Difference makers? Sophomore G Troy Groesnick. Ranked second nationally in goals-against-average (1.64) and save percentage (.936). Senior F Kelly Zajac leads the team with 34 A and second in points (42).

In 2004, Tampa Bay was put on the map as a hockey destination when the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup. Through efforts by Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Tampa Bay was given the rights to the 2012 Frozen Four tournament alongside Division 1 program Alabama-Huntsville. So, for the first time in a 64-year history, the NCAA Divison 1 men's hockey Championship will be held in a Southern city this weekend, hosted by the only Southern college hockey program out of 58 across the country. 

The games start Thursday with Ferris State vs. Union College and Minnesota vs. Boston College. First game is at 4:30 p.m. at Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa. The championship game is Saturday. Ticket packages are $195. tampabaytimesforum.com.

I will be live tweeting and updating this blog (so check back often!) during the two semi-final games and the championship game. You can follow me @tbtwo and on our Facebook page. Have any questions or requests for players to keep an eye on? Tweet me at @Allie_Davison.