• Loading stock data...
Saturday, March 14, 2026

NCAA Ice Hockey Final Sets ESPN Ratings Record

  • Quinnipiac’s overtime win over Minnesota was the most-viewed Frozen Four game on ESPN platforms since 2011.
  • The title game had 808,000 average viewers, up 100% over last year’s championship game.
Apr 6, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Quinnipiac celebrates after beating Michigan in the semifinals of the 2023 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Last Saturday’s NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey title game between Quinnipiac and Minnesota was the most-viewed Frozen Four game on ESPN platforms since 2011, the network announced Tuesday. 

The Bobcats’ overtime victory over the Gophers pulled in 808,000 average viewers during ESPN’s broadcast, up 100% over ESPN’s 2022 men’s ice hockey final coverage. This year’s championship game reached a high of 1.1 million peak viewers. 

The game aired on ESPN2 and was streamed via the ESPN app, as the network did with all games during the men’s ice hockey tournament. For Quinnipiac, its 3-2 victory over Minnesota secured the Connecticut school’s first NCAA title in program history. 

The state of Connecticut celebrated another national championship as UConn secured its fifth men’s basketball title in program history, solidifying its status as a bonafide college blue blood. Only UCLA, Kentucky, and North Carolina have more championships.

Quinnipiac’s campus in Hamden is just a short drive from UConn’s campus in Storrs — but the two schools couldn’t be more different. Quinnipiac is a small, private college with an undergraduate enrollment of about 6,000, while UConn is a sprawling public university with more than 18,000 students.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Big 12 Ditches LED Court Mid-Tourney After Player Concerns

Widespread player complaints helped lead to the mid-tournament switch.

NWSL Enters Pivotal Season With Expansion, World Cup Boost

Commissioner Jessica Berman says the league expects to break records in 2026.
Mar 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Ben Hammond (3) with the ball as Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Sebastian Akins (10) defends in the second half at Spectrum Center.

Bubble Teams Continue to Lose, While Tournament Expansion Looms

The NCAA has discussed expanding the tournament to 72 or 76 teams.

Featured Today

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.
Nicole Silveira
March 3, 2026

The Tattoo Marking Membership in the Most Exclusive Club in Sports

For athletes, the Olympic rings tattoo is “about everything it took.”
Oct 19, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NBC Sports commentator Tony Dungy after the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Why Ex-NFL Coaches Are No Longer Surefire Media Stars

Tony Dungy’s departure from NBC is the latest example of an emerging trend.
Dec 2, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Sacramento State Hornets head coach Mike Bibby speaks with Sacramento State Hornets guard Mikey Williams (1) during a break in play during the first half against the Baylor Bears at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
exclusive
March 12, 2026

Roku to Release Sac State Docuseries

Ex-NBA star Mike Bibby is the Hornets’ head coach.
Mar 12, 2026; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA; Lee Hodges plays his tee shot to the 17th hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament.
March 13, 2026

Golf Channel Not Interested in PGA Tour Acquisition As Changes Loom

The PGA Tour acquiring Golf Channel has been discussed frequently.
Sponsored

Paul Rabil: Why Owning a Team Is a 100x Bet

Paul Rabil shares how he left an established league to build PLL.
Mar 7, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Donte Johnson (red gloves) fights Cody Brundage (blue gloves) during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
March 11, 2026

UFC Touts Ratings Success of CBS Debut

A portion of UFC 326 was simulcast on CBS last Saturday.
March 11, 2026

NFL Dominates Thanksgiving Week—and Wants Another Night

The league looks to expand its presence over the highly watched holiday.
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NFL media insider Ian Rapoport during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
March 11, 2026

Will Rival Insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport Team Up?

As ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Network approaches, Rapoport’s contract status looms.
March 11, 2026

WBC Delivers Big Ratings for Fox, but U.S. Loss Clouds Outlook

Early viewership rises, but the U.S. team no longer controls its fate.