As parents scramble to make reservations and families plan their trips to Tampa for the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four there are several good things for locals and visitors to know about the games, the players, the venue, the area and the match-ups. We've got you covered at 813area and 727area.com!  The weather is great, no snow here in what we as Bolts Fans call #HockeyParadise. Read more and connect to things to do, places to eat and things to see as well as a few fun facts about the match-ups you might not know!

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Looking for a romantic dinner at a top local restaurant?  Check out:  20 Best Date-Night Tampa Restaurants You Need to Try. Want a 4-star meal in a historical room? The Historic Vinoy Hotel on the water in St. Petersburg offers several options. Relax on the veranda as the warm spring breeze blows gauze curtains watching the water glisten on the bay while sipping a craft cocktail like Hollywood stars of old then head inside for an epic meal in Marchand's famous Pompeii room.  On Sunday you can enjoy a unique Craft Brew Beer Brunch, different from anything else in the bay area, read more:  Vinoy's Fantastic Sunday Beer Brunch or during the week head across the bay to savor their Classic 1925 Dinner, a best-kept-secret enjoyed by locals!

Looking for more of a Sport's Pub atmosphere to catch up while enjoying a cold one with some great food in a friendly place?  Check out Best Sports Bars in Tampa. One of our favorites is next door to Amalie Arena , inside the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina.  Look for Champions Sports Bar & Grille and check out their Digital Pour Happy Hour nightly! ( Marriott Waterside Craft Beer Happy Hour Has Gone Digital)  You will find the people of Tampa are welcoming, friendly and happy to meet you.

Have you heard about our 'Districts', perhaps you'd like to explore Famous Ybor City where the annual Italian Fest will take place the same weekend or Tampa Riverwalk in the downtown corridor? Or maybe eclectic SoHo and South Tampa, or check out North Tampa and Seminole Heights where you can choose things like taking a fun tour of local craft breweries on Brew Bus USA or check out Lowry Park Zoo, voted #1 Family Friendly Zoo in America.

Thoroughbreds race every weekend at Tampa Bay Downs and lots of fun to be had at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa where you can #PlayForACause in support of local charities. Check their website to see what's in store this weekend!

7 Reasons why we can't wait for the Frozen Four, here are the TOP things we will be looking for and interested to see during the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa:
 

  1. North Dakota's opponent Thursday night at 8:30 pm is a familiar one and longtime rival, Denver!
  2. North Dakota's late night time slot is a familiar one, it's been their slot at Frozen Four championships and they lost all of them. Many players on the 2016 roster were part of the last two trips to the Frozen Four, it will be seriously fun to watch the team if they win, that is of course if you are NOT a Denver fan!
  3. North Dakota was rocked when Head coach Dave Hakstol left North Dakota for an NHL coaching position with The Philadelphia Flyers leaving Assistant coach Brad Berry to assume the role. Hakstol helped North Dakota get to the Frozen Four in seven of his eleven seasons but the team never won a national title in those seven trips. Can you imagine the pure joy that team will experience if they beat Denver? 
  4. Denver beat Ferris to get to the Frozen Four with three goals in approximately 2 minutes. They were melting the ice!
  5. This is Boston Colleges 25th Frozen Four, no college hockey team has made it to as many Frozen Fours as the Eagles who seek their 4th national title.
  6. Quinnipiac is back in the Frozen Four after reaching the final game in 2013 only to lose, though the No 1. seed going in to the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four tournament this is only the 2nd time Quinnipiac will be heading to the Frozen Four championship series.
  7. NHL teams draft heavily from the NCAA tournament, players will be doing their best to showcase their talent to scouts and team owners.

We are looking forward to seeing:

  • Quinnipiac's Devon Toews,  Devon had seven goals, and 20 assists, the most of any defenseman on a Quinnipiac team helping them to earn the title No. 1 seed overall!
  • Top national goaltender Thatcher Demko from Boston College, a Vancouver Canucks prospect Thatcher is up for the coveted Hobey Baker award and Mike Richter Award thanks to his .935 save percentage and nation-leading 10 shutouts. 
  • Brock Boeser, an offensive player for North Dakota leads the team as part of the "CBS LINE" with 25 goals and 51 points in 38 games this year. The CBS LINE is Drake Caggiula, Brian Boeser and Nick Schmaltz. Together these three boys are a force and just plain fun to watch!
  • Denver's Danton Heinen put up 45 points in 40 games as a freshman, started out slow this year then hit a 16-game point streak putting up 28 points. As a sophomore Danton has 42 points in 38 games. In 38 games, controlled when he's on the ice people are talking NHL sooner vs. later for Danton.

The weather forecast for the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four in Tampa could not be better with lows in the high 70's and highs in the mid 80's with plenty of sunshine! The forecast for fun is even greater with this National College Hockey Championship taking place in Tampa, here in  #HockeyParadise! You are going to love Amalie Arena, home to our Tampa Bay Lightning, enjoy the courtyard, the weather and the fun as you cheer on your favorite team or player in the Frozen Four!  We hope you will return and stay for awhile! When you do, don't forget 813area, your Local Connection! 

Let us know in comments below what you did, where you went and what you think!  We enjoy reading your comments!