ESPN To Carry NCAA Divison I Men's Ice Hockey Championship

Watching UMD defend it's National Championship in men's hockey won't be hard to do as ESPN has announced it will once again be carrying the entire tournament across its networks.

This marks the 15th consecutive year ESPN has carried the tournament, which begins Friday, March 29 and concludes with the Frozen Four National Championship game on Saturday, April 13.

ESPN coverage will also include Leah Hextall, who becomes the first woman to call a men's ice hockey championship.

Here is the broadcast schedule for the opening weekend of the tournament, which includes a crazy Saturday featuring six games. All times listed are Central Standard Time:

Friday, March 29

2 p.m. on ESPN2
Northeast Regional Semifinal
Harvard vs. No. 4 Massachusetts
3 p.m. on ESPNU
West Regional Semifinal
Ohio State vs. Denver
5:30 p.m. on ESPNU
Northeast Regional Semifinal
Notre Dame vs. Clarkson
6:30 p.m. on ESPN3
West Regional Semifinal
#1 overall St. Cloud vs. American International College

Saturday, March 30

12 p.m. on ESPNEWS
East Regional Semifinal
#3 Minnesota State vs. Providence
3 p.m. on ESPNU
Midwest Regional Semifinal
#2 UMD Bulldogs vs. Bowling Green
3:30 p.m. on ESPNEWS
East Regional Semifinal
Cornell vs. Northeastern
5:30 p.m. on ESPNU
Northeast Regional Final
*Teams TBD
6:30 p.m. on ESPN3
Midwest Regional Semifinal
Arizona State vs. Quinnipiac
8 p.m. on ESPNU
West Regional Final
*Teams TBD