Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Ten Reasons Air Force Could Upset Minnesota In The NCAA Regionals

1. The Air Force Academy represents the United States, while the University of Minnesota represents Minnesota. Air Force recruits within its borders, the UM does not. Air Force = USA's "Pride on Ice."

2. Denver's Pepsi Center will have hostile fans of Air Force and North Dakota whose numbers might break three digits.

3. Air Force is used to the high altitude of Colorado, Minnesota is not.

4. This season, Air Force has played Denver University, Colorado College, and Notre Dame tough.

5. The Atlanic Hockey conference is on a one-game winning streak in the NCAAs against Minnesota.

6. Air Force is a military academy, meaning the players are tough and disciplined. The Minnesota players all dyed their hair blonde.

7. Air Force coach Frank Serratorre is a legitimately good coach. He had Denver University on the track to being a good program again, but was fired by a lousy athletic director. (And legend has it that DU hockey boosters soon ran that AD out of town.)

8. Minnesota goalie Kellen Briggs is from Colorado Springs, where the Air Force Academy is located. He will be punished for not playing for his home-town school.

9. No college hockey program fails as spectacularly on the national stage as Minnesota.

10. Air Force runs the option, which a Big Ten team like Minnesota rarely sees.