The weekly Friday Four-Cast takes a bit of a different look this week as our conference coverage examines many of the important contests around the nation, including the start of playoffs in ECAC Hockey and Atlantic Hockey.

Regular Season, Best of the West: Minnesota and Wisconsin renew their rivalry in the always popular Friday-Sunday series. The two teams split a series in Madison in November. … WCHA regular-season champ Denver ends the regular season against in-state rival Colorado College. The Pioneers need one win or two ties to capture the Gold Pan, presented to the winner of the season series between the two teams, for the first time since 2005. … It’s the final regular-season weekend in College Hockey America history. Regular-season champion Bemidji State travels to Alabama-Huntsville and Robert Morris and Niagara play a home-and-home series.

Boston College at New Hampshire (Friday), New Hampshire at Boston College (Saturday): Boston College and New Hampshire play a pair of games to decide the Hockey East regular-season title. UNH has a three-point lead, and Jeff Howe talked to a key player from each team.

ECAC Hockey Playoff Capsules: First-round playoff series begin at four sites in ECAC Hockey, where best-of-three series will decide which teams move on to the quarterfinal round. Among those in action – RPI and defenseman-turned-forward Bryan Brutlag.

Atlantic Hockey Playoff Capsules: Atlantic Hockey’s playoffs include single-game playoffs for the bottom-four finishers in the regular-season standings. AIC visits Holy Cross on Friday and Saturday will feature Connecticut visiting Bentley.