The Twin Cities has had a big NCAA postseason hockey event the past three seasons.
In 2009, the West Regional was held at Mariucci Arena. In 2010, the West Regional moved to the Xcel Energy Center. And last season, the college hockey season ended witn the Frozen Four at the Xcel.
Gophers fans suffered through it all because their team has not made the NCAA tournament since 2008. That year the Gophers lost to eventual NCAA champion Boston College in a regional in Worchester, Mass.
Maybe this will be the season, the Gophers are back in hockey's big dance. And, if they are, they will be in the West Regional on March 24 and 25, 2012 at the Xcel. That's a Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets for the West Regiional will go on sale at noon Friday.
All-session packages for the two-day event are $90 (plus fees and taxes). The regional winner will earn a trip to the Frozen Four at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.
Regional tickets may be purchased online at www.ncaa.com/tickets, at the Xcel or by calling Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000. To charge by phone using Ticketmaster TDD/TTY, call 800-359-2525.
