The NCAA men’s hockey tournament is here, and after a 16-team field battled via regionals, the Frozen Four is set for Thursday and Saturday at TD Backyard in Boston.
Advancing to Boston are Michigan, the Large Ten event champion and No. 1 total seed; Minnesota State, the CCHA event and regular-season champ; Denver, the regular-season champ within the NCHC; and Minnesota, the Large Ten’s regular-season champ.
All of the Frozen 4 video games shall be broadcast on ESPN2 or ESPNU and can be found for streaming within the ESPN app.
The stability of energy all season was within the western conferences, and that is the way in which the regionals performed out. Minnesota State, winner of 17 video games in a row, is again within the Frozen 4 after making its first look within the nationwide semifinals final yr.
The opposite three groups are among the many most embellished packages within the sport: Michigan is within the Frozen 4 for the twenty sixth time and has gained 9 nationwide titles, Minnesota is making its twenty second Frozen 4 look and has gained 5 nationwide championships and Denver is within the nationwide semifinals for the seventeenth time, after successful all of it eight instances.
So what is going to it take for every group to win all of it? We requested ESPN school hockey analysts Dave Starman, Paul Caponigri and Sean Ritchlin for his or her takes on what the Pioneers, Wolverines, Gophers and Mavericks must do to skate out of Boston with a nationwide title.
Extra: NHL prospects to watch |
Regional takeaways | Field at a glance
Frozen 4
at TD Backyard, Boston
All instances Japanese; all video games additionally obtainable on ESPN app
April 7
Nationwide semifinals
Denver vs. Michigan, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Minnesota State vs. Minnesota, 8:30 p.m., ESPNU
April 9
Nationwide championship sport, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Denver will win if …
Dave Starman: If the Pioneers’ second line of Carter Mazur, Massimo Rizzo and Cameron Wright impacts the sport and their third line with Brett Stapley creates matchup points towards Michigan’s third defensive pairing, they will be in nice form. Additionally, Denver’s possession sport, particularly within the offensive zone, might get Michigan’s youthful group working round and impatient. The Pioneers rating lots of objectives off offensive possession play, so puck administration is vital.
Paul Caponigri: The facility play shall be big. It did not click on within the regionals (0-for-7 mixed towards UMass Lowell and Minnesota Duluth) however the Pioneers nonetheless discovered a method to win, so you have to give them lots of credit score for that. However significantly towards Michigan, when Denver in all probability might want to rating a couple of objectives to win, the ability play must be at its greatest.
Sean Ritchlin: Bobby Brink, the nation’s main scorer, and linemates Cole Guttman and Carter Savoie might want to cleared the path offensively. Denver has averaged 4.3 objectives per sport (most within the nation), they’re deep and so they can come at you in waves, with eight gamers scoring a minimum of 10 objectives. However additionally they can win a grind-it-out sport and taking down Minnesota Duluth in a good one within the regionals ought to give them the boldness to win a title.
Michigan will win if …
Starman: My late buddy Dennis “Red” Gendron, who handed away throughout final yr’s Frozen 4, used to say, “The team that gets off the bus with the best players usually wins,” and that holds true. Michigan’s ability gamers can flip a sport round. However the Wolverines might want to clear up their defensive play and win extra defensive zone faceoffs. Denver is nearly as good a faceoff group as there may be; Michigan must be simply nearly as good.
Caponigri: Fairly merely Michigan must handle the puck. I am not going to sugarcoat it: If the Wolverines play their greatest sport, I believe they will win the entire thing, however they should make good selections with the puck. In the event that they make the ability performs — and so they have loads of ability — and handle the puck on the key instances, they will be in fine condition. Michigan has had a bent all yr of taking its foot off the fuel when it will get a giant lead, however I do not suppose that may occur right here.
Ritchlin: The velocity and ability on the Wolverines has been nicely documented with seven first-round NHL draft picks on the group. They’re deadly on the person benefit and might push the tempo all sport lengthy. They’re loaded with depth as nicely and might create from anyplace on the ice to show protection into offense. However with the intention to hoist the trophy, they might want to compete for 60 minutes within the Frozen 4 — that hasn’t all the time been the case for them this yr.
Minnesota will win if …
Starman: The above phrase about the most effective gamers applies right here too: If Matt Knies is the sport’s greatest participant, Minnesota wins. A key for the Gophers shall be to create off the frenzy and get their key scorers beauty rapidly; they’re good first-strike group. They’re going to additionally look to make use of their velocity on the again finish to create good outs to allow them to beat Minnesota State to its defensive setups. They usually’ll want their rookie goalie, Justen Shut, to keep away from making rookie errors.
Caponigri: The Gophers must preserve doing what they’re doing. Brock Faber and Ryan Johnson are main the way in which as a dominant pairing on protection — each of them taking part in greater than half-hour towards UMass within the regionals was unbelievable. Then Shut must play his sometimes strong sport. He does not essentially should be spectacular, simply make the saves in entrance of him.
Ritchlin: Minnesota will look to its defensemen to set the tone. Bob Motzko’s six blueliners will be the most full group in school hockey and so they do a masterful job of getting pucks out of their zone with spectacular exit passes. There’s additionally nice management up entrance with Ben Meyers bringing alongside a gifted group of freshmen. The regular-season Large Ten champs are battle-tested and with their sturdy D core have the intangibles to carry Minnesota one other title.
Minnesota State will win if …
Starman: The Mavericks want goalie Dryden McKay to play as marketed. He does not should be nice, however rebound management and managing the crease shall be essential. Additionally they must win the possession sport, with no dangerous giveaways and by utilizing their dimension and expertise to power their opponent to go 200 ft to earn possibilities. Lastly, they should preserve the opposition from driving the center lanes and deflect assaults outdoors, and keep out of the penalty field.
Caponigri: Minnesota State will wish to keep true to its identification and preserve bullying groups. The Mavericks’ M.O. is to be bodily, quick and onerous on groups, and there is not any purpose to suppose they will change that. In opposition to Minnesota, they should assault Faber and Johnson. Faber is an elite defenseman, however they have to be bodily with him and attempt to put on him down. Mike Hastings groups attempt to pound you and beat you that approach mentally, then rating the large aim on the proper time.
Ritchlin: The Mavericks will comply with their leaders. McKay has been their rock in internet all season and has gained quite a few huge video games for Minnesota State. Olympian Nathan Smith continues to impress, scoring huge objectives for the Mavericks and shall be leaned on closely by Hastings. Being probably the most balanced group within the Frozen 4 when it comes to the mix of offense and protection looks as if an awesome recipe for successful a nationwide title.
Regional takeaways
LOVELAND
Denver finds a approach. The most important factor for Denver is that the Pioneers discovered other ways to win than being all offense. They got here in as this high-octane offense with the large energy play, however that wasn’t actually clicking for them and so they had been taking part in actually good defensive groups. However they discovered different methods to win, which was actually spectacular. Coach David Carle must be blissful having his group present it will probably grind out video games and discover other ways of successful.
Excessive-speed chase forward in Boston. The matchup with Denver and Michigan goes to be implausible. The Pioneers offense goes to see a group like them that likes to run and gun. Their energy play and the highest line are going to be vital once more and they need to be capable to get again to what they’re used to: Let’s go and get the tempo going. It should be a enjoyable matchup.
Maximizing crowds maximizes pleasure. The group was electrical Saturday afternoon for the Denver-Minnesota Duluth closing, a full home of over 7,000. I am all for maximizing the most effective crowds nonetheless the NCAA can determine it out. Logistics can get sophisticated once you’re doing it 5 days prematurely, however in ladies’s school basketball they play the primary two rounds on campus websites, in order that could possibly be a method to go. There should be discussions, and so they should look as onerous as they will to determine what might be completed. — Paul Caponigri
ALBANY
Mavericks powerful to interrupt. Over the previous few minutes of the Mavericks’ 1-0 win within the regional closing, Notre Dame had about 5 seconds of possession time between the dots beneath the offensive blue line. That’s an effective way to maintain a group off the scoreboard by maintaining them on the perimeter. On protection, they hole very nicely to decelerate assaults and so they back-check very nicely, which implies anybody coming at them is usually dealing with entrance stress and again stress, and that takes away the center of the ice. The query is: Can Minnesota State do to Minnesota what it is completed to everybody else? The best way Minnesota is taking part in now, it will likely be the most effective group the Mavericks have confronted.
Be careful for Smith’s wrister. Nathan Smith, who scored the lone aim within the regional closing, has nearly as good a wrist shot as anybody within the nation, he is received an NHL launch and he is correct. It is superb how the vast majority of his objectives include the puck on his stick for lower than a second. Minnesota State can rating — it isn’t the ’86 Edmonton Oilers, however the group can rating. The group scores lots of objectives on first photographs though it is constructed to win within the paint, so that provides it a multifaceted edge.
Harvard, North Dakota on the rise. If Harvard brings most of its guys again, be careful subsequent yr. They’ve a lot ability, now they’ve to determine half two, which is how onerous this sport might be and that there is extra to it than simply going up and down the ice. The Crimson could possibly be scary. Even supposing Notre Dame did not give him an inch, North Dakota’s Riese Gaber nonetheless stood out. He’s particular, he is aware of easy methods to get open, is aware of easy methods to rating and he has lots of grit. The Hawks are again to being one of many prime handful of groups within the nation. And do not be fooled, Notre Dame has the velocity and ability to create and is not going anyplace. — Dave Starman
WORCESTER
Teamwork pays off for Gophers. Minnesota performed about 5 durations of dominant hockey in Worcester. I used to be extremely impressed with how thorough the Gophers had been defensively. They’ve loads of future NHL stars amongst their 14 draft picks, however their dedication to taking part in as a group was spectacular.
NHL expertise on show. Michigan’s star energy will get a lot of the consideration, however Minnesota has numerous guys who could possibly be taking part in within the NHL this season, together with Brock Faber, Ben Meyers and Matthew Knies. And Western Michigan’s Ronnie Attard, a third-round decide of the Flyers in 2019, will look good in orange and black subsequent week if he chooses to go to the NHL.
UMass makes assertion regardless of loss. UMass has planted a flag as a school hockey powerhouse in Massachusetts. Minuteman followers had been loud and proud on the DCU Heart for the defending nationwide champ’s additional time loss to Minnesota, creating an awesome ambiance for an awesome sport. — Colby Cohen
ALLENTOWN
Michigan reveals off its elite expertise. Michigan gained the Allentown Regional with its fourth line scoring three big objectives. The highest line, for probably the most half, was saved off the scoresheet apart from Brendan Brisson scoring on the ability play. The Wolverines’ energy play is deadly, and the puck motion and ability are elite throughout each items. Luke Hughes continues to wow and is popping into an unstoppable power. Owen Energy had 4 assists within the regional closing towards Quinnipiac and had some huge defensive performs towards the top.
However Wolverines have vulnerabilities. Though they did sufficient to get to Boston, Michigan didn’t play an entire three durations in both sport over the weekend. The Achilles’ heel of this group is down low within the defensive zone. For no matter purpose, when the Wolverines get forward by a couple of objectives the eye to element wanes in their very own finish. They’ve been in a position to rating their approach round it so far however are going to should shore that up heading to the Frozen 4.
Quinnipiac’s resolve, management spectacular. Quinnipiac, which was the highest defensive group within the nation this season, gave up an uncharacteristic variety of objectives over its two video games, however confirmed its resolve with an enormous push within the third interval towards Michigan. The Bobcats’ three-goal flurry made it a one-goal sport and had the Wolverines rattled. There may be nice management with that group. — Sean Ritchlin
Regional outcomes
Albany (N.Y.) regional
March 24
No. 1 Minnesota State 4, No. 4 Harvard 3
No. 3 Notre Dame 2, No. 2 North Dakota 1 (OT)
March 26
Minnesota State 1, Notre Dame 0
Loveland (Colo.) regional
March 24
No. 2 Minnesota Duluth 3, No. 3 Michigan Tech 0
No. 1 Denver 3, No. 4 UMass Lowell 2
March 26
Denver 2, Minnesota Duluth 1
Allentown (Penn.) regional
March 25
No. 1 Michigan 5, No. 4 American Worldwide 3
No. 2 Quinnipiac 5, No. 3 St. Cloud State 4
March 27
Michigan 7, Quinnipiac 4
Worcester (Mass.) regional
March 25
No. 1 Western Michigan 2, No. 4 Northeastern 1 (OT)
No. 2 Minnesota 4, No. 3 UMass 3 (OT)
March 27
Minnesota 3, Western Michigan 0
Match subject at a look
Michigan (31-9-1)
How did they get right here: Large Ten champ
Seed: No. 1 in Allentown
With a roster that features 4 of the highest 5 picks within the 2021 NHL draft, the Wolverines lead the nation in star energy. Consequently, they’ve had gamers miss time to play within the Olympics and the World Juniors however nonetheless completed second within the Large Ten behind Minnesota, then avenged 4 regular-season losses to Notre Dame by beating the Irish within the event semifinals and topping the Gophers within the title sport.
That is Michigan’s thirty ninth NCAA look, tied with Minnesota for probably the most of all time. The Wolverines have been to the Frozen 4 25 instances and gained 9 nationwide championships, the final coming in 1998.
Quinnipiac (32-7-3)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 2 in Allentown
Quinnipiac’s skill to maintain opposing groups off the scoreboard is nearly onerous to understand, however the Bobcats are also nice at placing the puck on internet. (They outshot Harvard 49-17 within the loss to Harvard within the ECAC closing.) The Bobcats have allowed simply 42 objectives in 40 video games, with freshman Yaniv Perets posting a 0.97 GAA and 11 shutouts in 28 video games.
That is Quinnipiac’s eighth NCAA look and seventh within the final 9 tournaments. The Bobcats have made the Frozen 4 twice; they had been nationwide runners-up in 2013 and 2016.
St. Cloud State (18-15-4)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 3 in Allentown
St. Cloud has simply 4 regulation wins in its final 16 video games, together with a sweep by the hands of Minnesota Duluth within the NCHC quarterfinals. Even so, the defending nationwide runner-up can’t be taken calmly given the competitors stage within the NCHC and the group’s expertise in huge video games. Plus, the Huskies have the most effective energy play within the nation (.315 success price).
That is St. Cloud State’s fifteenth NCAA look since 2000. The Huskies have made the Frozen 4 twice (2013, 2021).
AIC (22-13-3)
How did they get right here: Atlantic champ
Seed: No. 4 in Allentown
AIC is again within the NCAA subject after steamrolling Air Drive 7-0 within the Atlantic championship sport. The Yellow Jackets began the season 3-9, however have been on a tear since then and are averaging 5.4 objectives of their final 5 video games.
That is AIC’s third straight NCAA look. Though the Yellow Jackets have been the No. 16 total seed every time, they pulled off an enormous upset by beating St. Cloud State 2-1 in 2019.
Minnesota State (37-5-0)
How did they get right here: CCHA champ
Seed: No. 1 in Albany
The Mavericks capped a dominant season by beating Bemidji State to win the CCHA event Saturday night time. They lead the nation in aim differential by a mile, averaging practically three objectives a sport greater than their opponents, as they’re No. 1 in objectives scored (165) and second in objectives allowed (51).
Minnesota State has made 4 straight NCAA tournaments and 7 of the final 9. The Mavericks made the Frozen 4 for the primary time final yr, shedding to St. Cloud State within the semifinals.
North Dakota (24-14-1)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 2 in Albany
North Dakota had gained 9 of 10 earlier than shedding to Western Michigan within the NCHC semifinals and swept weekend collection from each Western Michigan and Minnesota Duluth in February. The large concern with North Dakota is well being, significantly for Jake Sanderson, who is among the greatest defensemen within the nation however whose standing is unclear. Even so, the Combating Hawks had been 11-3 with out Sanderson this season.
That is North Dakota’s thirty fourth NCAA look; the Combating Hawks have missed out solely thrice since 1997. North Dakota has been within the Frozen 4 22 instances and gained eight nationwide championships, most just lately in 2016.
Notre Dame (28-12-0)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 3 in Albany
The Irish misplaced to Michigan within the Large Ten semis, however had gained 13 of 16 within the second half of the common season, together with eight of their final 9, a stretch that included a win over Minnesota and a weekend sweep of Michigan. Notre Dame is a balanced group, rating eleventh in objectives scored per sport and sixth in objectives towards common.
That is Notre Dame’s sixth consecutive NCAA look and thirteenth total. The Irish have made the Frozen 4 4 instances (2008, 2011, 2017, 2018).
Harvard (21-11-3)
How did they get right here: ECAC champ
Seed: No. 4 in Albany
Harvard is on fairly a run. The Crimson scored three objectives with an additional attacker within the final 3:42 of regulation in a 4-3 additional time win towards RPI within the ECAC quarterfinals, then beat Quinnipiac in OT within the title sport regardless of being outshot 49-17. It is all a part of a 13-3-1 spurt and an unbelievable NCAA look. Harvard should be taken severely, although, as it’s simply outdoors the highest 10 nationally in each scoring offense and protection.
That is Harvard’s twenty sixth NCAA look, and its fifth in six alternatives. (The Ivy League did not play hockey in 2021.) The Crimson have been to the Frozen 4 13 instances and gained one nationwide championship (1989).
Western Michigan (26-12-1)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 1 in Worcester
After a February skid, the high-scoring Broncos had been rolling with 21 objectives over 5 straight wins earlier than getting blanked by Minnesota Duluth within the NCHC title sport. For the season, Western Michigan is fourth within the nation with 3.7 objectives per sport, with Ethen Frank (26) main the way in which.
That is Western Michigan’s seventh NCAA look and its first since 2017. The Broncos are looking for their first NCAA event win.
Minnesota (26-12-0)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 2 in Worcester
The Gophers rode an undefeated February to the Large Ten regular-season title earlier than falling to Michigan 4-3 within the championship sport. Minnesota ranks within the prime 10 nationally in each objectives per sport (3.6) and objectives allowed per sport (2.3).
That is Minnesota’s thirty ninth NCAA event look, tied with Michigan for probably the most of all time. The Gophers have been to the Frozen 4 21 instances and gained 5 nationwide championships, the final coming in 2003.
UMass (22-13-2)
How did they get right here: Hockey East champ
Seed: No. 3 in Worcester
The defending nationwide champs efficiently defended their Hockey East crown by beating UConn 2-1 in additional time within the title sport. Convention participant of the yr Bobby Trivigno, fourth nationally with 48 factors, had three objectives and two assists in three event video games. The Minutemen have transformed 9 of their final 18 power-play possibilities.
That is the fourth NCAA look for UMass and its third in a row. The Minutemen have been to the final two Frozen Fours, successful the title final yr and ending as nationwide runner-up in 2019. (The 2020 event was canceled because of the pandemic.)
Northeastern (25-13-1)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 4 in Worcester
Northeastern got here on sturdy late within the season to say the Hockey East regular-season crown earlier than shedding to UConn within the event semifinals. Goalie Devon Levi, whose 1.52 GAA is third within the nation, makes the Huskies harmful.
That is Northeastern’s eighth NCAA look and its third in 4 tournaments. The Huskies wish to transfer previous the primary spherical for the primary time since 1982, once they made their lone Frozen 4 look, shedding within the semifinals.
Denver (29-9-1)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 1 in Loveland
The very best group in the most effective league, Denver gained the regular-season title within the NCHC, which has 5 of the highest 10 groups within the PairWise rankings, earlier than shedding to Minnesota Duluth within the convention semifinals. The Pioneers have scored 5 or extra objectives 20 instances this season and are No. 1 in objectives per sport (4.38). Junior Bobby Brink is the nation’s main scorer (14 objectives, 41 assists).
That is Denver’s thirty first NCAA look; the Pioneers had a streak of 12 straight appearances snapped final yr. They’ve been to the Frozen 4 16 instances, successful eight nationwide championships, most just lately in 2017.
Minnesota Duluth (22-16-4)
How did they get right here: NCHC champ
Seed: No. 2 in Loveland
It seems to be like any person might have woken a sleeping canine. After going 6-9-3 within the second half of the common season, the Bulldogs blitzed via the NCHC event as Ryan Fanti turned in back-to-back shutouts over prime seed Denver and No. 3 Western Michigan this previous weekend on the Xcel Heart.
Minnesota Duluth, which has made it to the final 4 Frozen Fours, is making its seventh consecutive NCAA look and fifteenth total. The Bulldogs have gained three nationwide championships, together with back-to-back titles in 2018 and ’19.
Michigan Tech (21-13-3)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 3 in Loveland
Michigan Tech was rolling within the second half of the season, successful 11 of 12 earlier than dropping a pair of one-goal video games to top-ranked Minnesota State. After beating Ferris State within the CCHA quarterfinals, the Huskies had been upset by Bemidji State 5-2 within the semis. Tech is fourth within the nation in scoring protection, permitting 2.0 objectives per sport.
That is Michigan Tech’s fourth NCAA look since 2015 and 14th total, with 10 coming from 1956-1981.
UMass Lowell (21-11-3)
How did they get right here: At-large berth
Seed: No. 4 in Loveland
A bodily, defensive-minded group (2.09 objectives allowed per sport, fifth within the nation), the River Hawks scored seven objectives within the Hockey East quarterfinals towards Merrimack earlier than shedding to UMass within the semis.
That is UMass Lowell’s ninth NCAA look and its first since 2017. The River Hawks have misplaced within the first spherical solely as soon as (1988), however have made the Frozen 4 solely as soon as, shedding within the semifinals in 2013.
