FanHouse Bemidji State

WASHINGTON -- Colby Cohen saw it before anyone in the building.

FanHouse brings you full coverage of the 2009 NCAA Men's Frozen Four in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON -- For a couple of years now, a lot of my friends in blogging circles have been giving me the hard sell when it comes to college hockey. While I've never needed to be sold on the game at any level, I have to admit that my connection to the college game isn't as visceral as it is to the NHL. For me, the Stanley Cup was all that really mattered, and that's been the case ever since I pulled on my first pair of hockey skates at the age of seven.

But over time, opinions and perspective change. The first shift came when I watched the Americans stun the Russians at Lake Placid in 1980. As an adult, I was introduced to the World Juniors, which I'm now convinced is the best international hockey tournament of them all. Then, just a year ago, I couldn't take my eyes off the IIHF World Championship, this after dismissing it for years as a poor substitute for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

WASHINGTON -- They were happy to be there, they wanted everyone to know, going so far as to thank the media in attendance, the fans and just about everybody who gleefully mangled the University's unusual name at some point. But they weren't happy to be here, exactly. Not now, not first at the dais, less than 15 minutes after the final goal horn of the season, in the loser's spot, wearing a hurt not even a Stanley Cup-worthy collection of playoff beards could hide.

Bemidji State senior Travis Winter had his jersey on still, the rest sat only in their undershirts, answering question after question.

After their 4-1 loss to Miami, even their words seemed to drip with sweat.

And the realization that midnight had come for this hockey Cinderella.

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The unexpected run of Bemidji State ended earlier Thursday, as Miami University bested the Beavers, 4-1.

But that's not all the action we get from the Verizon Center Thursday night, as the second half of the Frozen Four doubleheader features a clash of two Eastern powers, as Boston University and their legendary head coach Jack Parker face the University of Vermont.

For a primer, check out Bruce Ciskie's work previewing this weekend's action. Live blog is after the jump.