2009 NCAA Tournament: Going to Manchester!

The BU Terriers have shown this year that they’re a special team.  They’ve won every single tournament they’ve played in this year, won 31 games, scored a boatload of goals, and have found ways to win when it seemed impossible.  As such, the Terriers have been rewarded with the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, and will be travelling to nearby Manchester, New Hampshire for the Northeast Regional in the tournament.  The Buckeyes of Ohio State will be meeting the Terriers there, and one thing can be said for sure:  None of the previous accomplishments for BU mean anything at this moment.  There is one title left to be won, and it begins on Saturday for BU.

Luckily, I’ll be travelling to Manchester to provide some coverage for those of you who read this site.  I’m really excited, and extra pumped that BU will be going to the closest regional possible.  Look for a preview of the BU game to be coming soon.  For now, let’s take a look at how the rest of the Tournament looks… and most notably, the other teams in the Northeast Regional.

Here’s what we’ve got for the Bracket, starting out West:

West Regional @ Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, Minnesota

#1 Denver v. #4 Miami

#2 Minnesota-Duluth v. #3 Princeton

There is definitely a good mix in this regional  Two WCHA teams will definitely help the atmosphere here.  I like the way that Minnesota Duluth has been playing, and I’ve picked them to come out of this regional.  I don’t think that even Zane Kalemba is matching the play of Alex Stalock right now, and Duluth is really hot.  One factor that could play against the Bulldogs is the sheer amount of games that they’ve been playing recently, but fatigue didn’t seem to be a factor in the WCHA championship game against Denver.  A Denver - Duluth championship game is what I expect to see, and the atmosphere should be electric.  Minnesota fans already proved that they’ll be cheering for the hometown team, so it looks to be a very hostile Regional for Denver.  Nothing against Miami, as I think they’re the strongest #4 seed, but Denver is better, and shouldn’t have a problem with Blasi’s Redhawks.

Predicted Frozen Four Participant: Minnesota-Duluth

Midwest Regional @ Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan

#1 Notre Dame v. #4 Bemidji State

#2 Northeastern v. #3 Cornell

This regional features some very very good defensive teams.  Northeastern’s Brad Thiessen and Cornell’s Ben Scrivens should put up a clinic on good goaltending this weekend.  That game will come down to special teams, and I’m going to take Cornell over Northeastern because the Huskies have been taking untimely penalties recently (Much like BU), and Cornell should be able to convert.  Carter Hutton of Lowell seemed to stone NU pretty well, and Scrivens is better than Hutton.  If the Huskies are going to win this game, they’ll need to stay out of the box.  Thiessen, as usual, should do his part.  Will his offense help him out?

In the other game, we’ve got CHA champ Bemidji State, and CCHA Champ Notre Dame, the #2 overall seed in the tournament.  Sorry Beaver fans… it’s been done before, but this Notre Dame team is good…. really good.  I don’t see them having any problem at all with the Beavers.  I’ll tell ya though, if Bemidji manages to pull it off… it would be amazing.  Still… the Irish will take care of business, and should move on to the Frozen Four.  The second night in this regional should be very close, no matter who plays.

Predicted Frozen Four Participant: Notre Dame

East Regional @ The Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut

#1 Michigan v. #4 Air Force

#2 Yale v. #3 Vermont

This regional might actually have the best games all weekend.  I’d love to get a chance to go watch the flyboys duke it out with the Wolverines.  Air Force has been such a story this year, especially with Hobey Finalist Jacques Lamoreaux and the incredible 13-0-0 start.  The Falcons have taken a dip since that, but they have shown they can be very competitive.  If Andrew Volkening can stand strong, the Falcons are a huge offensive threat and should play a good game.  Michigan’s defense will need to be strong.  I still think the Wolverines can get it done, but of the 1 v 4 matchups, I think this has the biggest potential for an upset.

The second set of teams are two teams that have exploded this year.  ECAC Champion Yale, and Vermont.  Vermont is enjoying one of its best offensive seasons ever, led by Viktor Stalberg, a Hobey Finalist and the leading goal scorer in Hockey East.  Yale, on the other hand, has been on a tear through the ECAC, winning the tournament. The Bulldogs also have the advantage of playing near home, which should help their chances greatly.  This regional should be well attended, as Vermont fans travel well.

Predicted Frozen Four Participant: Michigan

Yes, I know that I went fairly safe with my picks… but the top teams are just so good this year that it’s tough to go against them.  I did pick one upset… Duluth, because they’re playing so well right now.

Just counting the days till I head off to Manchester… stay tuned for more.

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