What a beautiful time of year it is to be a hockey fan, eh!
The NHL regular season is winding down and the playoffs are on the horizon. The quest for the Memorial Cup has begun north of the 49th parallel and NCAA men's Hockey Tournament begins this Friday.
Three of last year's Frozen Four teams are among the 16 teams in this year's tournament. Quinnipiac, St. Cloud State and UMass Lowell all earned spots to play for another shot at the national title this year in Philadelphia.
Last year's national champion, Yale, did not make this year's tournament. The Bulldogs finished their season with a 17-11-5 overall and loss to Quinnipiac in the quarterfinals of the ECAC tournament.
Below, I break down each team in the tournment by which regional they were assigned to play.
Northeast Regional
This year’s Northeast regional will be held at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. The regional semifinals will be played this Saturday March 29th, and the regional final will be on Sunday March 30th at 5 p.m. E.T.
This bracket has some intrigued as it features college hockey’s best offensive and defensive teams. Boston College led the nation in offense this season scoring on average more than four goals a game. Up I-93 in Lowell, the Umass Lowell River Hawks were the nation’s best defensive team giving up only 1.85 goals per game. Minnesota State Mankato and Denver University round out the Northeast region. A potential BC vs. Umass Lowell regional final is incredible.
Television Schedule
March 29th 4 p.m., ESPNU
Denver vs. Boston College
March 29th, 7:30 p.m., ESPN3
Umass Lowell vs. Minnesota St. Mankato
Winners play in regional final on March 30th at 5:00 p.m. on ESPNU
No. 1 Boston College
Record: 26-7-4 overall, 16-2-2 Hockey East
Past NCAA Championships: 1949, 2001, 2008, 2010, 2012
It’s been an odd set of circumstances for BC. The Eagles, which won the Hockey East regular season title, were knocked out by Notre Dame in the Hockey East playoffs, so they had to sit out when the Hockey East tournament reached TD Garden.
Boston College comes into the tournament with the best first line in the country hands down. Hobey Baker frontrunner Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) highlights a line that combined for 173 points this season. Gaudreau finished the season with 32 goals and 37 assists for 69 points. His two other linemates, Bill Arnold (CGY) and Kevin Hayes (CHI), had 48 and 56 points respectively.
BC’s defense is young, but talented. Sophomore Michael Matheson (FLA) and freshmen Steve Santini (NJ), Ian McCoshen (FLA) and Scott Savage (’14 eligible) are four of the better blue line prospects in this entire tournament.
Freshman goalie Thatcher Demko is the best North American goaltending prospect for the 2014 NHL Draft. Demko is incredibly athletic and a technically sound netminder. I expect him to be a first round pick come June.
BC has won each of the last three national titles in even years (2012, 2010, 2008) and have not missed a Frozen Four in an even year since 2002. So is 2014 the year of the Eagle?
No. 2 UMass Lowell
Record: 25-10-4 overall, 11-6-3 Hockey East
Past NCAA Championships: None
The River Hawks enter this year’s tournament winners of their second straight Hockey East Tournament. Lowell went the first 28 seasons in the league without a title.
Norm Bazin’s squad is like the New Jersey Devils circa 2000. They play terrific team defense and what the team lacks in offensive firepower, it makes up for in defensive hockey. They clog the neutral zone, gets sticks in shooting lanes, blocks shots, possess the puck for long stretches at a time, and force opponents wide.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been terrific this season between the pipes. The Winnipeg Jets prospect, like BC’s Demko, is a technically sound goaltender that is rarely out of position. He’s always square to the shooter and his .943 save percentage and 1.73 GAA led the nation.
The trio of Joe Pendenza, Josh Holmstrom and A.J. White lead the Lowell offense. They played well this past weekend and really have some chemistry going into the tournament.
Swedish defenseman Christian Folin is another player to watch. He is considered to be one of the top NCAA free agents and the Flyers are rumored to be looking at signing him. He’s a mobile defenseman with a hard shot.
Don’t be shocked if UMass Lowell wins it all this year. This team is that good.
No. 3 Minnesota State Mankato
Record: 26-13-1 overall, 20-7-1 WCHA
Past NCAA Championships: None
After making the tournament for the first time in 10 years last season, Mankato returns with largely the same team from last season.
The Mavericks started the season 4-7-0 and were in danger of disastrous season. They rebounded nicely mid-way through the year, but dropped three straight to St. Cloud, Minnesota-Duluth, and Northern Michigan. This left the Mavs in precarious spot needing to win every game left on their schedule to make the tournament. They did just that going 12-0-1 in their final 13 games. They enter the tourney with the nation's longest unbeaten streak.
Minnesota State doesn’t dominate 5-on-5, but Mike Hastings club is outstanding on special teams. They’re fourth nationally on the both power play and penalty kill. Matt Leitner’s 12 goals and 32 assists led the Mavs this season.
Could Mankato be this year’s version of Yale?
No. 4 Denver
Record: 20-15-6 overall, 10-11-3 NCHC
Past NCAA Championships: 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968, 1969, 2004, 2005
Anytime a team graduates three players to the NHL and welcomes in a new coach, one can expect a year of rebuilding. For the Pioneers, it looked like that would come to fruition when they lost Game 1 of their NCHC playoff series to Nebraska-Omaha. Well, with four straight wins and a conference playoff championship, Denver finds themselves back in the NCAA tournament for the seventh straight season.
Denver ranked 36th in the country in goals per game, so offense is not their strong suit. They lack depth at forward, but do have stellar defense corps that covers up some the weakness up front. Joey LaLeggia (EDM) is an offensive threat from the backend, while Will Butcher (COL), Nolan Zajac, and Matt Van Voorhis are mobile defenseman who can move the puck.
The Pioneers success in the tournament starts and ends in net with senior goalie Sam Brittain (FLA). After struggling with injuries for much of his career at Denver, Brittain has been the No. 1 all year. If Brittain is on, Denver is capable of beating beating any team in the country.
Midwest Regional
This year’s Midwest regional will be held at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. The regional semifinals will be played this Friday March 28th, with the regional being this Saturday.
Wisconsin highlights the Midwest bracket. They are the regions top seed, but they had to beat Ohio State in an overtime thriller last Saturday in the inaugural Big Ten tournament. Ferris State, Colgate, and the always powerful North Dakota round out the region.
Television Schedule
March 28th 4:30 p.m, ESPN3
Ferris State vs. Colgate
March 28th, 8:00 p.m., ESPNU
North Dakota vs. Wisconsin
Winners play in regional final on March 29th, 6:30, ESPNU
No. 1 Wisconsin
Record: 24-10-4 overall, 13-6-1 Big Ten
Past NCAA Championships: 1973, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1990, 2006
The Badgers won the first-ever Big Ten conference tournament championship last Saturday with a 5-4 overtime victory over Ohio State.
This is veteran squad with 15 upperclassmen. They are led offensively by senior Mark Zengerle, who had 10 goals and 33 assists this season. The top line of Zengerle, Tyler Barnes and Nic Kerdiles (ANA) may have the best chemistry in the nation besides BC’s top line. Michael Mersch (LA), who played on the second line, led UW in goals this season with 22 in 36 games.
Wisconsin’s bread and butter so to speak are in goal and on the blueline. Goalie Joel Rumpel is tied for sixth in the nation with a .930 save percentage and can steal games. On the backend, Jake McCabe (BUF) is a solid two-way defenseman.
Overall though, I’m not that impressed with the Badgers. They had a good season, including a sweep of Minnesota, but I thought played pretty average in the Big Ten tourney. They let a less talented Penn State team hang with them last week, and were lucky to beat OSU. They have struggled away from the Kohl Center and enter the tournament as a weak No. 1 seed.
A matchup with hated rival North Dakota won’t be easy.
No. 2 Ferris State
Record: 25-10-4 overall, 11-6-3 WCHA
Past NCAA Championships: None
Ferris State started the season with a pair of splits against ECAC opponents, and then went on an impressive streak of 15 games without a loss that carried into the new year. That streak moved the Bulldogs to the top national rankings. 28 wins on the season is impressive, including a first place finish in the WCHA. However, Ferris State went just 1-5-0 against Colgate and Minnesota State.
The Bulldogs are a balanced offensive team with a physical, but sound defense. Ferris finished 10th nationally in goals per game, despite not having a single scorer average a point per game. Defensively, Ferris State is sixth overall in fewest goals allowed per game.
They're led by three upperclassmen in scoring (Garrett Thompson 16 goals, 16 assists, Justin Buzzeo 14 goals, 18 assists, Cory Kane 13 goals, 17 assists), and captain Scott Czarnowczan is what really drives this team. With Hobey Baker finalist CJ Motte in goal, the Bulldogs will have a chance in every game.
No. 3 Colgate
Record: 20-13-5 overall, 13-6-3 ECAC
Past NCAA Championships: None
When thinking about Colgate, I think about the Spink brothers. Tyson and Tylor Spink, along with Darcy Murphy are the offensive stars for Don Vaughan’s club. Tyson had 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points, Tylor had 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points, while Murphy netted 19 goals and nine assists for 28 points.
On the backend, the Raiders are led by junior captain Spiro Goulakos. Sphomores, Kevin Lough and Ryan Johnston, are two good young defenders and freshmen Jake Kulevich and Brett Corkey have played major minutes this season. In goal, Charlie Finn has been a major reason for Colgate’s success down the stretch.
Colgate has beaten Ferris State twice this season so that should give the Raiders an edge come Friday.
No. 4 North Dakota
Record: 23-13-3 overall, 15-9-0 NCHC
Past NCAA Championships: 1959, 1963, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1997
If it weren’t for some help from Umass Lowell and Wisconsin, then North Dakota wouldn’t be in the tournament. Offensively, this isn’t the same North Dakota squads of past with the TJ Oshie’s, Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise’s, and Corban Knight’s of the world. They rely on rebounds and their defense to generate offense. Diminutive center Rocco Grimaldi (FLA) (14 goals and 22 assists) is fun to watch with the puck.
North Dakota’s strength is their defense. They’re led by St. Louis Blues first rounder Jordan Schmaltz and senior Dillon Simpson (EDM) They’re both excellent puck movers.
For a team that finished second overall in the NCHC this season, there are scary fourth seed. Don’t be shocked if they upset Wisconsin.
East Regional
This year’s East regional will be held at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The regional semifinals will begin this Friday March 28th with the regional final this Saturday March 29th.
Union College, college hockey's only regular and postseason league champion, highlights this bracket. A potential Union vs. Quinnipac regional final is quite interesting.
Television Schedule
March 28th, 2:00 p.m., ESPNU
Union vs. Vermont
March 28th, 5:30 p.m., ESPNU
Providence vs. Quinnipiac
Winners play in regional final on March 29th, 3:00 p.m. on ESPN2
No. 1 Union College
Record: 28-6-4 overall, 18-3-1 ECAC
Past NCAA Championships: None
Fast, skilled, and filled with depth. Those are just three characteristics to describe this Union team. The Dutchmen have become a prominent program in college hockey over the past five years or so thanks to former head coach Nate Leaman (Providence’s head coach) and current head coach Rick Bennett.
Senior Daniel Carr is the catalyst on offense and he led the Dutchmen in scoring this season with 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points. Union plays an up-tempo style of hockey and they’re a real fun team to watch. Watch out for freshman Michael Vecchione, who had 12 goals and 19 assists this season
Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (PHI) is the best defenseman in the country. The mobile rearguard brings fans to their feet and will certainly be one player to watch. Mat Bodie is another solid offensive defenseman.
In net, Colin Stevens has done an incredible job replacing Troy Grosenick. Stevens was 24-4-2 on the year with a split of 1.96/.931.
This could be the year Union finally brings home a national title to Schenectady.
No. 2 Quinnipiac
Record: 24-9-6 overall, 12-6-4 ECAC
Past NCAA Championships: None
The national runner’s up from last season are back this season, and the Bobcats are eager to return to the Frozen Four.
Rand Pecknold’s first line of Sam Anas, Kellen and Connor Jones have been dominant this season. They have combined for 123 points. Matthew Peca and Jordan Samuels-Thomas have also been stellar this season. Peca (TB) was the MVP of the East Regional in Providence last season. Samuels-Thomas (WPG) is Wayne Simmonds 2.0. He's fast, big, and checks.
Phoenix Coyotes prospect Connor Clifton was one of the best rookie defenders in the nation this season. They’re young and inexperienced and that could play a factor in the tournament.
Michael Garteig has done wonders this season replacing Eric Hartzell. Garteig 24-9-6 on the year with a 1.89/.912 split.
No. 3 Providence
Record: 21-10-6 overall, 11-7-2 Hockey East
Past NCAA Championships: None
The Friars success this year and in the upcoming tournament all depends on goaltender Jon Gillies (CGY). They started off the season strong with impressive weekends versus Miami and Minnesota State, but when Gillies was hurt with a groin injury, that’s when Providence tailed off a bit.
However, they finished off the regular season strong with four straight wins. The Friars swept Maine out of the Hockey East quarterfinals, but lost to New Hampshire in the semifinals.
Injuries to forwards Ross Mauermann and Nick Saracino have hampered the Friars production somewhat. Calgary Flames prospect Mark Jankowski, is young, talented, but very raw forward. He had 12 goals and 12 assists this season.
Steven Shamanski and John Gilmour lead the defense. They’re a capable corps who have been playing well as of late. Buffalo Sabres prospect Anthony Florentino is one name to keep an eye one.
Gillies is healthy, which means the Friars are a dangerous team in this tournament.
No. 4 Vermont
Record: 20-14-3 overall, 10-10-0 Hockey East
Past NCAA Championships: None
Vermont snuck into the tournament as the seventh place team in Hockey East. They played UMass Lowell tough in the quarterfinals, before succumbing to the River Hawks.
The Catamounts are good defensive squad and are led on the backend by Chicago Blackhawks prospect Michael Paliotta. Having seen Vermont play live this year, they’re responsible in their own end.
Collegeville, PA native Chris McCarthy is having an awesome season. After suffering through injuries his first three years at UVM, McCarthy is finally coming into his own. His 40 points led Vermont this season. He’s a strong, two-way skater who has the potential, I think, to be a future NHLer one day. Think Mike Richards like.
Sophomore Brody Hoffman has rotated with freshman Michael Santaguida for much of the season. Hoffman is quick and agile.
The odds will be against Vermont, but anything is possible in hockey.
West Regional
This year’s West regional will be held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Regional semifinals will be played this Saturday March 29th, while the regional final will be played this Sunday March 30th.
The host Minnesota Golden Gophers highlight the West region.
Television Schedule
March 29th, 5:30 p.m., ESPNU
Robert Morris vs. Minnesota
March 29th, 9:00 p.m., ESPNU
St. Cloud State vs. Notre Dame
Winners play in the regional final on March 30th, 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU
No. 1 Minnesota
Record: 25-6-6 overall, 14-3-3 Big Ten
Past NCAA Championships: 1974, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2003
The Gophers spent most of the year as one of the top two teams in the nation with a high-octane offense that ranked 8th in the nation with 3.41 goals per game. Their defense was ranked 3rd in the nation giving up on average 2.03 goals per game. Goalie Adam WIlcox (TB) was named Big Ten player of the year and is Hobey Baker finalist. Defenseman Brady Skjei (NYR) is a smooth-skating blue liner who could end up on the Rangers in two years. Mike Reilly (CBJ) led all B1G defensemen in scoring.
Offensively, Don Lucia’s squad is most balanced team in the entire tournament. The Gophers do not rely on one single player or line as they have eight forwards who have more than 20 points. Kyle Rau (FLA) had 12 goals and 22 points this season. Big Hudson Fasching (BUF) continues to show his versatility on the ice. No one in college hockey has matched Minnesota’s team speed this season.
The Gophers enter the tournament on just its second two-game losing streak of the season. I’m not in love with this team. They will smoke Robert Morris in the first round, but after that I see them falling short. The Gophers are the Duke of college hockey. All the talent in the world, but come up short when they need to be at their best. If you recall, Minny lost in the first round to eventual national champion Yale. Yes, they do have something to prove, but playing only 10 miles from campus could be a detriment.
No. 2 Notre Dame
Record: 23-14-2 overall, 9-9-2 HE
Past NCAA Championships: – None
The Fighting Irish make an appearance in the tournament in their first season as a member of Hockey East. The Irish finished in eighth place during the regular season before upsetting No. 1 seed BC in three games in the tournament quarterfinals.
Notre Dame looked good at times this season, including a sweep of Providence, but at other times, the team looked lost and unsure. I don’t really know what to expect from Jeff Jackson’s squad. The one thing going for Notre Dame is they did beat Minnesota back in November. They split with the Gophers winning 4-1 and losing 5-4.
Remember folks, it’s a short tournament and if Notre Dame can get their offense clicking, they can win this region.
T.J. Tynan (CLB), Bryan Rust (PIT) Vince Hinostroza (CHI) and Sam Herr are talented offensive players. One player to watch in this region though is Mario Lucia (MIN). He has a deadly shot and his 16 goals are tied for the team lead. Imagine him going up against his father in the second round if both higher seeds win.
Goalie Steve Summerhays has has registered seven shutouts this season, which is a Notre Dame single season record. He could be the difference between Notre Dame moving onto Philadelphia or heading back to South Bend.
No. 3 St. Cloud State
Record: 21-10-5 overall, 15-6-3 NCHC
Past NCAA Championships: None
The Huskies won the first ever NCHC regular season title, despite losing last year's Hobey Baker winner Drew Leblanc to graduation, and top defenseman Nick Jensen to the pros.
The Husky offense is led by senior Hobey Baker finalist Nic Dowd (LA) and sophomore forward Jonny Brodzinski (LA). Brodzinski reached the 20 goal plateau for the second straight year. SCSU is a balanced offensive team. Players like Kalle Kossila, Jimmy Murray, Ryan Papa, Joey Benik, and David Morley can all create their own offense.
Top defenseman Andrew Prochno missed the final six games of the regular season with an injury, although he’s expected to be back in time for the tournament. Bob Motzko’s squad is big on the back end. Captain Kevin Gravel (LA) and Ben Storm (COL) are 6’4 and 6’6 respectively
The biggest concern I see for St. Cloud is in goal. Ryan Faragher has struggled in the second half. He was pulled in St. Cloud's first playoff loss to Miami, and gave up 4 goals on 30 shots in their second loss.
Faragher needs to be better if SCSU has hopes of making it to Frozen Four for the second consecutive season.
No. 4 Robert Morris
Record: 19-17-5 overall, 13-9-5 AHA
Past NCAA Championships: None
The Colonials are making their first ever appearance in the tournament after a terrific run through the Atlantic Hockey Association Tournament. They beat Army in the first round and unseated UConn in two games. RMU then beat Niagara, 5-4, in overtime in the semis before beating Canisius by a score of 7-4 in the championship game.
Freshman goalie Dalton Izyk has taken over the pipes and was terrific in his first four games of the AHA Tournament.
I’ve seen RMU a few times this year and Cody Wydo is probably the best scorer in the country that no one has ever heard about. He has 51 goals over the past two seasons, including 30 this year.
RMU’s reward for winning the AHA is a first round date versus Minnesota.
My Predictions
West
Minnesota over Robert Morris
St. Cloud State over Notre Dame
St. Cloud State over Minnesota
Midwest
Ferris State over Colgate
North Dakota over Wisconsin
Ferris State over North Dakota
East
Union over Vermont
Quinnipiac over Providence
Union over Quinnipiac
Northeast
UMass Lowell over Minnesota State
Boston College over Denver
UMass Lowell over Boston College
National Semifinals
St.Cloud State over Ferris State
UMass Lowell over Union
Finals
UMass Lowell over St. Cloud State
