MEN'S HOCKEY

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - For the first time since 2004, the Norwich University men's ice hockey team is headed back to the NCAA Frozen Four, to be played this weekend (March 22-23) at Herb Brooks Arena in the fabled Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y.

The Cadets, who defeated Manhattanville, 7-2, in last weekend's national quarterfinals, will face No.1-ranked St. Norbert on Saturday, March 22, at 2:30 p.m. The second national semifinal, which is slated for 6 p.m., features Plattsburgh State and Elmira.

The four teams will compete for the national championship in the 1980 Rink Herb Brooks Arena, site of the Miracle on Ice and recent winner of ESPN's Greatest Highlight poll.

The winners of Saturday's games will meet at 4 p.m., on Sunday to determine the 2008 NCAA national championship. The title game will be telecast live on CBS College Sports Network (formerly CSTV).

St. Norbert reached the semifinals be defeating St. Thomas, 2-1, in overtime. The Green Knights, who have been ranked No. 1 in the country for most of the season, carry a 27-game unbeaten streak into Saturday's action.

Second ranked Plattsburgh advanced after downing Hobart 5-2, while Elmira blasted Trinity, 6-1.

In addition to outstanding college hockey action, the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), as the local organizing committee along with the State University of New York at Potsdam and the NCAA, will provide fans with hockey rock Saturday with the driving sound of North America's favorite all-hockey band, the Zambonis. "Breakaway" and "Zamboni Splits", performed by the Zambonis inside the arena, will be among the songs that will sustain the action whenever tournament play is resting. The band will also warm up the audience Saturday afternoon at the free Fan Fest from 12:30-2 p.m., in front of the ORDA Box Office.

In addition, a Saturday youth clinic is on tap in the 1932 Rink Jack Shea Arena.

Tickets are priced at $15 per session and $25 for all three games. To ensure seats in the Norwich section, NU fans should order tickets through the Norwich box office, by going online to http://www.cadetstickets.com/. The box office at Kreitzberg Arena will be open on Wednesday and Thursday (March 19-20) from 3-7 p.m., to fill orders as well. Tickets that are not picked up at Norwich can be picked up at the will call window at the Olympic Center ticket office on Saturday, March 22.

To purchase tickets through the Olympic Center Box Office, fans can call 518-523-3330, or obtain an order form by clicking HERE.

For more information on the NCAA Men's Division III Ice Hockey Championships, please click HERE.