MEN'S HOCKEY

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's ice hockey team returns to Kreitzberg Arena this weekend as the Cadets host the 2008 ECAC East Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's final four March 8-9.

The fifth-ranked Cadets, who are the No. 1 seed in the league tournament, will face No. 7 seed UMass-Boston in the event's first semifinal contest at 3 p.m., on Saturday, March 8. The Cadets shutout eighth-seeded Skidmore, 8-0, to reach the semifinals, while the Beacons knocked off No. 2 seed Babson, 4-1, in the biggest shocker of the opening round.

Norwich and UMass-Boston played an entertaining overtime contest during the regular season with the Cadets pulling out a 3-2 victory on Rick Cleaver's game-winning goal. The Beacons trailed 2-1 late in the third period, but they sent the game, which was played in Boston on Jan. 19, into the extra session with goal in the final minute of regulation.

The other semifinal matchup, which is scheduled to be played at 6 p.m., on Saturday, March 8, pits fourth-seeded New England College against No. 6 seed Salem State. The Pilgrims advanced to Northfield by defeating Southern Maine, 5-2, last weekend, while the Vikings upset No. 3 seed Castleton State, 6-3. NEC defeated Salem State, 5-2, in the regular season finale back on Feb. 23.

The winners of Saturday's semifinal games will meet on Sunday, March 9, at 3 p.m., to decide the ECAC East Tournament championship.

Norwich went 3-0-0 against the field during the regular season, outscoring the three teams by a combined total of 14-8.

The games can be heard on WDEV (96.1 FM; 550 AM), or online at www.cadetsradio.com, with George Commo and John Noyes calling the action.