Except for the draft pick part, similar circumstances to Cassaro.

Michigan player coming to RIT through the portal.

Matthew Mania is coming to Rochester!

If recent history has taught us anything, Denver will not win the Frozen Four in 2027.

A picture of "The Flame" steak restaurant neon sign at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas.

Americana of the excited gas kind.

Oh god, not again.

The Denver Pioneers and Wisconsin Badgers at faceoff for the National Championship game for ice hockey at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

Championship time.

A picture of the elevation sign at Badwater Basin at Death Valley National Park, which is 282 feet below sea level.

And even lower - the lowest you can get in the Western Hemisphere on land.

A picture of a CalTrans elevation sign reading "sea level" in Death Valley National Park.

Quite a descent from Las Vegas to here today.

I think there are a lot of logistical problems that need to be addressed before I would do another award to this place.

Now that I've had a few minutes leaving the arena, how the hell do you not flip both escalators to down right at the end of the game?

For that matter, the only way between the 200s and lower level is the escalator; none of the stairwells allow re-entry to the seating bowl.

We have resorted to the Hard Rock Cafe slightly out of desperation.

Thank god it's finally over.

Denver wins 4-3 in 2 OT.

Second straight year with a double OT game.

And indeed, we have overtime.

And Denver scores to make it 3-3.

@mrsunyachockey.bsky.social boldly predicted overtime for this one. He may be right.

Michigan scores on a power play (first power play goal in here all day), 3-2 with 8:58 left

I'm okay with home team announcers pleading for power plays. In theory, Buccigross is supposed to be neutral as a broadcaster.

Maybe there is an advantage to being here in person.

Denver scores to tie it.

I have fears as to what could happen with this game.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

And Michigan scores, cue the normally overplayed song.

Denver goal

Clearly my survey answers about the Frozen Four were disregarded.

Also: good god, the traffic flow on the concourses here is terrible.

Game 2.

Meteor, please.

Thank goodness.

🦡 🦡 🕊️

And we have a make-up call.

Ludicrous.

Sure, miss the hold, but get the retaliatory board.