UMD senior defensemen Joey Pierce and Riley Bodnarchuk are the only players left from the ten-player 2022-23 recruiting class, and they will play in the NCAA Tournament for the first time Friday in Albany. Hear them both talk about finally getting here, how last year's ending fueled everyone who returned, and the challenges of facing high-octane Penn State in the opening round.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AWARD WINNING JOURNALIST Matt Wellens of the Duluth News Tribune talks about the UMD men's hockey team returning to the NCAA Tournament. Mostly, we just whine about the late start Friday (9pm Eastern, what the hell, ESPN?).

UMD women's basketball coach Mandy Pearson also joins the show to talk about the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, which starts in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

In between, we bid farewell to a dear friend, taken from us way too soon. If you're willing and able, you can donate to a GoFundMe for Jessi Pierce's family here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-mike-hinrichs-after-losing-jessi-pierce-children

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UMD men's hockey associate coach Adam Krause and freshman forward Luke Bibby join the show ahead of the NCHC championship game Saturday night in Denver.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessi Pierce of NHL.com is not panicking about the Wild, who have managed three straight losses to bad teams.

We also look ahead to this weekend's NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship game with Denver coach David Carle.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Dakota hockey coach Dane Jackson talks about UND's run to the Penrose Cup, watching his team grow with 15 new faces, the play of defenseman Jake Livanavage, and this weekend's NCHC semifinal game against UMD.

We also visit with UMD sophomore forward Zam Plante, who enters the weekend with six goals over his last three games.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's a conversation with UMD men's basketball coach Justin Wieck, as the Bulldogs prepare to travel to Kansas for this weekend's NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament, where UMD faces top seed and host Washburn Saturday at 5:30pm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UMD women's basketball coach Mandy Pearson talks about the Bulldogs' return to the NCAA Tournament, then we get to know new Minnesota Monsters owner Jake Lambert.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pat Micheletti joins the show to talk state hockey and the Big Ten tournament, which starts Wednesday. UMD athletic director Forrest Karr drops by to celebrate three UMD teams playing in NCAA Tournaments this week.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.