Three former Humboldt Broncos played in the NCAA Frozen Four hockey final over the Easter weekend. Goaltender Taylor Nelson and forwards Matthew Kirzinger and Justin Buzzeo played for the Bulldogs of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan this season, which is being called the most historic season in Ferris State hockey history. Nelson and Kirzinger were both members of the 2008 RBC Cup winning Humboldt Broncos, and Buzzeo played for the Broncos in 2009 and 2010.Kirzinger, a native of LeRoy, is a junior at Ferris State. He was second in scoring on the team this year (39-10-23-33) and Buzzeo, a freshman, scored one goal this past season, which was hampered by injury.Nelson, made famous by a fantastic save he made in the RBC Cup final against the Camrose Kodiaks, is currently in his senior year at Ferris, and was the starting goalie this season.He was between the pipes for the Frozen Four final in Tampa, Florida on April 7, played against Boston College. Though the Bulldogs suffered a heartbreaking 4-1 loss to Boston College, Nelson made 33 saves in his final collegiate contest, with six in the first period, 14 in the second and 13 in the third. The game marked the first time in school history that any Bulldog team had ever competed in a national championship game. FSU won or tied 19 of its final 23 games of the season, and had an impressive 15-game unbeaten streak early in this season."What a year," Nelson was quoted as saying. "I'm extremely proud of every individual in that locker room. All season long, we sacrificed for one another and bled for one another. And, as far as what it means to the program, I think in our minds, it's made history."Ferris State advanced to the Frozen Four final after beating Union College on April 5 to advance to the final.
