UW-Superior and Wessman Arena are putting in final preparations for the Final Four national collegiate women’s hockey tournament this weekend. Joe Gigliotti reports.

A national champion will be crowned in Superior this weekend. Wessman Arena will host the Division III Women's Hockey Frozen Four Friday and Saturday. Rob Anderson is a Graphic Designer with Field Logic Signs and Designs. They’ve put in a lot of work at the arena this week.

“We did all the dasher boards, a lot of the banners, a lot of the signage, a lot of the stuff for the hotels; banners, welcome signs. Laid about 360 feet of vinyl today. Been pretty much living here at the arena for a few days.”

The ice got a makeover too. “They had to scrape the ice and take all the old logos off and put new logos on and re-paint the ice. It’s a pretty big overhauling here for everybody with the university and the businesses around town.”

UWS Athletic Director Steve Nelson is proud of how well the preparation has gone. “It’s been six months of hard work, but I tell ya, I’m just overwhelmed with what this campus can do in hosting a tournament.”

Nelson says it's been tough to get a gauge on ticket sales, partly because the final eight teams didn't get down to four until last weekend. “It seems to be going well. It will be a lot of the parents of the players. Hopefully the community will grab on and we’ll get some people there.”

UWS Marketing Director Jon Garver says the tournament’s timing may not be the best to draw big crowds. “It’s a tough weekend falling right before Spring Break, so a lot of students and staff won’t be around to take part in everything, but the hope is get as much out there as we possibly can.”

But Garver says it’s still a great chance for the school and community to shine. “A good opportunity for us to showcase our campus, showcase the community, showcase the student body on a national level.”

Plattsburgh State of New York will take on Vermont’s Middlebury in the first semifinal at 3:30 Friday, while Elmira of New York will battle undefeated Gustavus Adolphus of Minnesota in the other semifinal at 7:00. The winners will play for the national championship Saturday at 7:00.

There will also be tailgate parties outside Wessman Arena before each of the semifinals Friday and before the championship game Saturday night. Wisconsin-style brats are on the menu.

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