Connecticut could have another national champion very soon. The Quinnipiac Men's Ice Hockey Team is back in the Frozen Four for the third time in 11 years. Following one of the best regular seasons in program history, the Bobcats have steamrolled through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, outscoring opponents 9-1.

Longtime head coach Rand Pecknold says although QU may not be a "blue blood" hockey program, it continues to earn respect across the country. "The three programs that are here with us are established and they've got long histories. We're still just 25 years into division one and for a chunk of those years, we didn't have our own rink, for a chunk of those we had to practice at midnight. So, we're an upstart, we're an up-and-comer, but we've had enough success over the last few years."

The last time the Frozen Four was in Tampa was 2016, the year Quinnipiac made it all the way to the Championship game where the Bobcats fell to North Dakota State.

QU plays Michigan Thursday night at 8:32 p.m. on ESPN2. If the Bobcats were to pull off the upset, they would face the winner of Boston/Minnesota Saturday at 8 p.m.

"If we play to our identity and we let our culture come through, we have more than a chance," Pecknold said.

Quinnipiac has never won a national championship in men's ice hockey.