Field: Twelve teams, including the regular-season and postseason champions from each of four conferences -- the Eastern College Athletic Conference and Hockey East, Central Collegiate Hockey and Western Collegiate Hockey Associations. If a regular-season champion also wins the postseason tournament, the committee will select another conference team using established selection criteria. Four teams will be selected at large.

Dates and sites: Regional competition will be March 24-25 in Minneapolis (West region) and March 25-26 in Albany, New York (East region). The two highest-seeded teams at each regional will receive first-round byes. Two winners from each region will advance to the Frozen Four (April 6 and 8) in Providence, Rhode Island.

Information/results: The fax-on-demand telephone number is 770/563-1133 (pin code 1915); request numbers are 1410 for bracket/schedule, 5120 for semifinal results and 5121 for championship-game results. Championship results will be published in the April 24 issue of The NCAA News.

Championship notes: Defending champion Maine is attempting to become the first team to win consecutive crowns since Boston U. in 1971-72. This year's championship game will be the 200th game in Frozen Four history. Wisconsin, rated No. 1 for much of the season, is led by senior Steve Reinprecht, who has averaged about two points per game this season. Boston U., Boston College, New Hampshire and Michigan also figure to be strong contenders for the championship.