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see so many of the families we knew from youth and high school hockey and so many of the fans I've known from following the Lightning there, taking in the whole experience." Lightning ticket holder. It was nice to walk through the rink and "I've been involved here with youth and high school hockey the last 11 years, and I've been a Madden long-time to more than 20 youth hockey tournaments throughout Florida and building interest not only in the Frozen Four, but in hockey as an air- conditioned year-round activity for Southern kids. "It was a great introduc- tion to college hockey for our Tampa hockey com- munity," "A FEW PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB READING THE SPF LEVELS, BUT said. A FEW SUNBURNS AND A LOT OF FUN MADE FOR A GREAT WEEKEND." For fans that traveled from all over the country to visit Tampa, that "whole experi- ence" included a few uniquely Southern twists on the fun that they've come to know as a normal part of Frozen Four weekend. Outside the arena on the massive out- door plaza, there were live bands, kids' games, street hockey, celebrities and spon- sor giveaways before all of the games. The announcement of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, normally done inside the arena, was moved to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, as members of the U.S. Armed Forces saluted Baker for his military heroics as a World War I fighter pilot after he was a hockey star at Princeton University. A few blocks from the Forum at Channelside Plaza, open-air watering holes proved to be friend- ly territory for college hockey fans, who rev- eled in the chance to ditch their snow boots and winter coats and instead wear shorts and flip flops to and from the rink. the restaurants and ing the event happen, they hope the long- term effect will be borne out on college hockey rosters in the years to come. There was one native Floridian – Union freshman defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, from suburban Fort Lauderdale – on the ice at the Frozen Four. The thinking is that with the help of events like this one, that number will continue to grow. "Hockey players from throughout the state traveled to Tampa to be a part of it," Higgins said. "Previously it was tough for them to visualize playing college hockey, but that week gave them a chance to see it up close and personal and see what it's all about. I can see looking back one day and viewing this as a launching pad." And while Tampa is on the opposite side of the state from Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, it's clear that in Florida they know a thing or two about launching pads. N Jess Myers is a contributing editor to InsideCollegeHockey.com. The Boston College Eagles made themselves right at home at the Tampa Bay Times Forum as they skated off with their fifth NCAA title with a 4-1 victory over Ferris State. By the end of the weekend, reporters from across the nation – many of whom had been skeptical of the idea that college hockey could work in the land of alligators and beaches and theme parks – were singing the praises of Florida. One columnist for a national college hockey website went as far as to suggest that, like the College World Series that returns to Omaha every June, Tampa should be considered as a permanent host for the Frozen Four. For the locals, who basked in the praise and the reward for their hard work in mak- USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM JUNE/JULY.2012 41