DENVER -- Notre Dame forward Mark Van Guilder can tell the Irish hockey team has gained acceptance on campus.

After all, he hasn't been asked in quite a while if hockey at Notre Dame is a Division I sport.

"I think everyone's figured out that we're a Division I program," Van Guilder said with a grin. "I'm seeing classmates and professors at games now. It's fun with all the support. Instead of 'Did you play this weekend?' they're saying, 'It was a great game, we watched every second.'"

Maybe Notre Dame's becoming a hockey school?

The Irish advanced to their first Frozen Four in the program's 40-year history, and will play fellow Central Collegiate Hockey Association rival Michigan in a matchup that sounds like it belongs on the football field.

Although, it's probably best the game's being played on the ice, given the Irish's struggles last season in football. Michigan beat Notre Dame on the football field 38-0 last fall.

"We had a sour year for our football team, so I think everyone is looking for a team to get behind and cheer on," goalie Jordan Pearce said. "We're moving on to a place where we haven't been before, so everyone is wishing us good luck."

The Irish (26-15-4) come in as the upstarts, while the Wolverines possess the experience. Michigan's nine national championships are the most in the country. The team has also made 18 straight NCAA tournament appearances, reaching the Frozen Four 10 times in that span.

What's more, the Wolverines (33-5-4) have beaten Notre Dame twice this season, a 3-2 thriller on Jan. 18 followed by a 5-1 blowout the next night.

Boston College vs.

North Dakota

After a game last October between Boston College and North Dakota was halted after two scoreless periods because of fog, Matt Greene had a feeling his Eagles and the Fighting Sioux were destined to meet again to settle things.

His foggy notion was right.

For the third straight year, Boston College and North Dakota will meet in the semifinals of the Frozen Four.

"It's funny how history repeats itself," said Greene, whose team will play the Fighting Sioux on Thursday night in the first of two semifinal games.

The two squads are definitely familiar with each other. The Eagles and Fighting Sioux have meet eight times in the NCAA tournament, with Boston College winning five.

The Fighting Sioux (28-10-4) are definitely looking forward to another rematch, having had each of their last two seasons end in losses to the Eagles.