MAKE COLLEGIATE HOCKEY GREAT AGAIN.

Yes, the past couple weeks' posts have tended to the gloomy.  Let's close out the month with cheerful news.

The No. 1 ranked Wisconsin Badgers (35-4-2) took home their fifth-ever NCAA National Championship over the weekend after defeating the No. 2 Minnesota Golden Gophers 2–0 Sunday at the Frozen Four in Hamden, Connecticut. It was a dominant weekend performance from Wisconsin against both No. 4 Clarkson and No. 2 Minnesota, as the team did not allow a goal all weekend.

The Badgers had not won a National Championship since 2011, despite having made it to the Frozen Four every year except the 2012-13 season.

That's Wisconsin women's hockey, which we have followed for all their previous national titles, and, once again, the final game involved the best of the West.

It's always a good day when the goaltender is the first star of the tournament.  "Over the last two games of the season, [junior goalie Kristen] Campbell managed to keep a clean sheet while facing off against possibly the Badgers’ two toughest opponents of the season. Despite facing a total of 41 shots on goal throughout the Frozen Four, Campbell did not allow a single goal."

There is still unfinished business.  Back in 2006, Wisconsin's icers won both championships.

This year, neither the Wisconsin men nor the Minnesota men are in the national tournament, although one-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association stalwart Denver is.