It's Easter weekend and there is remodeling at my Minnesota lake cabin that needs attention. There is a smattering of family gathering here to welcome the lake season and celebrate Easter with all its meanings.
Oh yes, there was a little college hockey to watch Thursday night as well.
Minnesota drew the short straw this time with the challenge of beating a Boston College team bent on winning its fourth NCAA title since 2001, a remarkable run under coach Jerry York.
The Gophers gave a game effort, no doubt, deserving a closer score than the 6-1 licking the scoreboard showed. But the Eagles had the sharpshooters and the far better goaltending this night and that was huge.
So once again we were left to marvel at the precision and power Boston College flashes in the NCAA tournament. If there was any doubt the Eagles have a dynasty of sorts going in college hockey, their wipe out of WCHA champion Minnesota took care of that.
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I love college hockey, but I didn't even plan my night on Thursday around watching the Minnesota-Boston College game.
Instead, I joined my son and his wife on a night out for pizza after a hard day of work (by them, not me) on this major makeover of the cabin utility room. New lighting, tongue-in-groove pine walls and a new tile floor, looking spiffy over here, I thought,
We watched the Gophers some while we munched on pizza. We're all three Fighting Sioux fans, so we shed no tears as the Gopher season ended in a whipping by Boston College.
Minnesota may have as much pure talent than the Eagles, I thought. But the Gophers clearly could not match BC's mystical powers when it comes time for a Frozen Four.
Gopher players dyed their hair gold for the tournaments. Golden Gophers, you know. Yet they were far from the golden boys in this game. That honor richly belonging to Boston College. And isn't that dyed hair stuff best left at the high school level?
I may turn on Saturday's championship game to see who is winning. If it is anyone other than Boston College, I'll be shocked.
I read about UND associate head coach Cary Eades being a strong candidate to be the next coach at Minnesota State, Mankato. I'd hate to see him leave his alma mater, but he's a tremendous coach, one I'd hire in a minute. A chance to run his own program certainly must appeal to him.
I think, too, about Warroad sophomore Brock Nelson electing to leave UND and sign with the New York Islanders. He made vast strides as a player this year, building himself up physically and turning into one of the nation's top goal scorers.
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I thought he would come back for one more season at UND. I felt he would benefit greatly from an extra year of college life and hockey tutoring. The Islanders obviously felt otherwise, dangling a big contract in front of him. He could not say no.
He left with high praise for UND, his teammates, coaches and the program, so he came and went as a classy young man who'll have our full support.
As the cabin fills up with family as the weekend arrives, I suspect I'll feel there are more important things to attend to in my life this weekend than college hockey.
Worker bees are hammering away at making my cabin pretty and more functional. The boat and dock are in the water and the ice is off the lake.
Good luck Eagles. Goodbye Gophers. Hello summer fun.
Foss is a Hall of Fame journalist who reported on sports for 36 years for the Herald until his retirement. He writes a weekly column from October through April. Contact him at virgfoss@yahoo.com or (701) 772-9272.
