The NCAA Hockey Tournament 2011 gets underway later this week, but first it's time to learn this year's bracket. ESPN2 will broadcast the NCAA Division I Men's Hockey Selection Show at 9:30 a.m. MT on Sunday, March 20. Unlike the basketball tournament, the hockey one starts with only 16 teams in it.
Jayson Moy of USCHO.com projected part of his field on Friday, March 18, which includes the DU Pioneers, who are currently ranked No. 6 in the nation. He also sees Colorado College in the bracket and probably Air Force.
The Pioneers have won seven NCAA Men's Hockey Championships, the most recent ones coming back-to-back in 2004 and 2005. Their other victories date back several decades to 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968 and 1969. They have also won the 3rd place game twice (1966, 1971).
However, the NCAA Tournament hasn't been that kind to the Pioneers in recent years. Since 2008, the Pioneers have been eliminated in the first round of the tournament, losing to Wisconsin, Miami (OH) and the Rochester Institute of Technology in those three years, respectively.
The road to the Frozen Four begins Sunday!