DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — College hockey experts must be trying to shake themselves awake from what obviously is a bizarre dream. What happened to all those No. 1 and 2 seeds?

With the NCAA Frozen Four set to begin Thursday, April 9, top-ranked Boston University is the only one of the No. 1 seeds which survived the four regional tournaments.

"It's great for hockey," said Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore, whose squad will take on Miami in the semifinals. "It's boring to have the same teams all the time."

Out there somewhere are three coaches of No. 1 seeds who don't share his enthusiasm.

In the West, No. 1 Denver was manhandled 4-2 by No. 4 Miami.

In the Midwest, No. 1 Notre Dame was dominated 5-1 by No. 4 Bemidji State.

In the East, No. 1 Michigan fell 2-0 to No. 4 Air Force, which in turn lost to No. 3 Vermont 3-2 in double-overtime.

"This is good for the game," said Serratore, whose Beavers became the first team with an overall No. 16 seed to advance to the Frozen Four, "because everybody out there who plays college hockey realizes it can be them someday."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.