WCHA Alums Hit the Ice in National Hockey League's Stanley Cup Finals Matchup
Former Northern Michigan and WCHA player Dallas Drake (17) celebrates after scoring in the first period in Game 6 of the NHL Western Conference hockey finals, Monday, May 19, 2008 in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) |
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May 22, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
MADISON, Wisc. - At least five former Western Collegiate Hockey Association will battle for the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup as members of the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, beginning Saturday, May 24. No matter which team wins, the WCHA is guaranteed of adding another alum's name to the Stanley Cup.
The roster of the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings features (with playoff statistics) defensemen Chris Chelios of the University of Wisconsin (14 gp, 0-0-0) and Brian Rafalski of the University of Wisconsin (16 gp, 2-8-10) along with right winger Dallas Drake of former WCHA-member team Northern Michigan University (16 gp, 1-3-4). Also a member of the Red Wings is former St. Cloud State forward Mark Hartigan (4 gp, 0-1-1). Hartigan played in Detroit's opening playoff series against Nashville but was a healthy scratch in the Colorado and Dallas series.
For the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins, there are left winger Ryan Malone of St. Cloud State University (14 gp, 6-9-15) and left winger Jarkko Ruutu of Michigan Tech University (14 gp, 2-1-3).
The best-of-seven series opens at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Saturday. The complete Stanley Cup finals schedule, and television coverage, is as follows:
| Game 1: Saturday, May 24 | Pittsburgh @ Detroit, 8:00 pm ET (VERSUS, CBC) |
| Game 2: Monday, May 26 | Pittsburgh @ Detroit, 8:00 pm ET (VERSUS, CBC) |
| Game 3: Wednesday, May 28 | Detroit @ Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm ET (NBC, CBC) |
| Game 4: Saturday, May 31 | Detroit @ Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm ET (NBC, CBC) |
| Game 5: Monday, June 2* | Pittsburgh @ Detroit, 8:00 pm ET (NBC, CBC) |
| Game 6: Wednesday, June 4* | Detroit @ Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm ET (NBC, CBC) |
| Game 7: Saturday, June 7* | Pittsburgh @ Detroit, 8:00 pm ET (NBC, CBC) |
* if necessary
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