For puckheads, the true NCAA Tournament begins Thursday.
That’s when the 16-team males’s hockey match opens play. This yr’s match options high-flying freshmen, perennial nationwide powers and a few Cinderella tales. There’s no scarcity of expertise. Or storylines. Look for lots of the gamers to signal NHL contracts on the conclusion of their match runs.
Here’s 5 issues to search for:
1. Which Massachusetts groups certified?
Two of the 4 Beanpot faculties — Boston University and Harvard — are within the hunt. The Terriers and Crimson are joined by upstart Merrimack, making solely its second NCAA Tournament look within the match’s trendy period.
The rosters of BU (27-10) and Harvard (24-7-2) are loaded with National Hockey League draft picks. BU is returning to the nationwide match underneath first-year head coach Jay Pandolfo, a Burlington native and former Terrier captain. Ted Donato has led Harvard to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in 18 seasons.
Somehow Scott Borek wasn’t named the Hockey East Coach of the Year after guiding Merrimack (23-13-1) to second place within the common season, this system’s highest end. Then he led the Warriors to the league’s championship recreation, the place they misplaced in time beyond regulation to BU.
On Thursday, BU will battle Western Michigan (20-10-2). On Friday, Harvard will conflict with Ohio State (20-15-3) and Merrimack will attempt to upset Quinnipiac (30-4-3).
2. Where are the regionals?
Luckily for Boston space followers, three of the 4 regionals are inside driving distance: Manchester, N.H., Bridgeport, Conn. and — for these not afraid to place a bit of further mileage on the automotive — Allentown, Pa. The different regional is in Fargo, N.D.
Manchester, N.H.: Boston University, Western Michigan, Cornell and Denver. The decide: Defending nationwide champion Denver will escape this bracket.
Fargo, N.D.: Minnesota State, St. Cloud State, Canisius and Minnesota. The decide: Minnesota will emerge from the pack.
Bridgeport, Conn.: Ohio State, Harvard, Merrimack and Quinnipiac. The decide: Quinnipiac, the group with probably the most wins within the nation, will punch its ticket to Florida.
Allentown, Pa.: Michigan Tech, Penn State, Colgate and Michigan. The decide: In an upset, Penn State, backed by native followers, will make its first Frozen Four.
3. Who are the highest freshmen?
It’s tough to recollect the final time this many rookies performed such distinguished roles for lots of the nation’s elite packages.
Consider that of the seven high scorers within the nation, six had been taking part in junior hockey final season. That’s exceptional. And unprecedented.
Only Harvard junior Sean Farrell, who’s tied for third with 52 factors, will not be a freshman. Michigan sniper Adam Fantilli, anticipated to be taken No. 2 within the NHL Draft in June, leads the best way with a 27-34-61 line.
He’s adopted by fellow rookies Collin Graf of Quinnipiac (20-35-55), Logan Cooley of Minnesota (19-33-52), Jimmy Snuggerud of Minnesota (20-29-49), Ryan McAllister of Western Michigan (13-35-48) and Lane Hutson of Boston University (14-33-47).
Hutson could also be placing collectively probably the most particular season of any rookie. He’s the lone defenseman on the record and the highest-scoring 19-and-under blueliner since BC’s Brian Leetch approach again within the 1986-87 season.
4. Who’s an underdog to root for?
Seven of the 16 packages on this yr’s match have received nationwide titles. Denver and Michigan every have captured 9 championships, adopted by BU (5), Minnesota (5), Michigan Tech (3), Cornell (2) and Harvard (1).
For those that like to latch onto an underdog, contemplate rooting for Western Michigan (BU followers apart, in fact), Canisius, Merrimack or Penn State. Forget nationwide titles. None of these packages have ever reached the Frozen Four, whereas Colgate has made it to the ultimate 4 simply as soon as.
Canisius stands out as the final underdog. The Buffalo, N.Y., college is making solely its second NCAA Tournament look, the primary coming in 2013. Canisius has by no means received a recreation within the nationwide match.
5. Who will win the title?
Minnesota’s the decide. The Golden Gophers have been caught on 5 nationwide championships since 2003. Twenty years is lengthy sufficient between titles.
Look for Minnesota to be skating round Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., with the nationwide championship trophy on April 8. The Golden Gophers, led by prized freshmen Cooley and Snuggerud, are hungry after being knocked out within the semifinals final season.
Offense wins this time of yr. Denver was the highest-scoring group final season and received the title in Boston. Minnesota is second in scoring (4.08 targets per recreation) this season. Of the 9 highest-scoring groups within the nation, eight are within the nationwide match.
The Golden Gophers are additionally battled examined, sporting an 11-6 file vs. groups within the area. The title drought will finish. They’ll be celebrating within the streets of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Source: www.bostonherald.com