2009 NCAA Tournament: Frozen Four Game Previews

It’s almost time.  By this time tomorrow, we’ll know which teams will be playing for all the marbles.  It’s FROZEN FOUR time!  Bemidji State, Boston University, Miami, and Vermont have all been preparing and recovering for the past week.  They’ll hit the ice at the Verizon Center in Washington DC, ready to face the hurdles before them, and hopefully punch their ticket to the national championship game.  Let’s take one last look at these four participants before the games finally get played.  Get excited, folks!

Game 1 (5 PM, ESPN2) Bemidji State v. Miami

Bemidji State Beavers

The Beavers have been a true Cinderella story this tournament.  They took down powerhouse Notre Dame and ECAC power Cornell with relative ease.  Their top line is one of the greatest, fastest threats in all of college hockey.  These guys really showed that the CHA can be a force.  Tom Serratore has gotten the best out of his players when he’s needed to.  Matt Dalton has been a rock all tournament long so far.  The biggest factor, besides being the obvious underdogs, is that the Beavers are unable to capitalize on their momentum.  Serratore will have to hope he can bring back the team that played so well two weekends ago.  That being said, it’s feasible that the Beavers will continue their run right into the national championship game.  The WCHA will definitely be thinking twice when they vote on whether or not to accept Bemidji after what this team has done so far this year.

The Beavers will need to play very smart hockey (as they’ve done so far) in order to take down Miami.  Miami is a very defensive minded team, and will be looking to shut down Bemidji’s first line, a line that proved deadly in the Midwest Regional.  Serratore and his club will need to find a way to overcome that, perhaps by getting some scoring from the other lines.  Dalton will also need to be on top of his game, and limit the mistakes, play his angles, and control the puck when he needs to.

Miami Redhawks

After having their season ended by Boston College in dramatic fashion a year ago, Miami came into this years’ tournament an unlikely contender.  They started the season off very well, but tapered off towards the end, losing in their first round series in the CCHA Tournament.  Overshadowed by Michigan and Notre Dame all year, it is Enrico Blasi and his Redhawks that have advanced to the Frozen four.  It hasn’t been an easy path, as they needed to take on a very tough Denver team.  Of course, the Redhawks made it look easy, taking advantage of a Denver team that looked like it needed an extra day to prepare.  The Redhawks then held off Duluth, the team I picked to make it out of the West Regional, in a very tight 2-1 contest.

The Redhawks have played excellent defense thus far in the tournament, giving up just 3 goals.  Miami will hope to continue their shut down defense, and must try to neutralize the top line of Bemidji State.  Overall, the Redhawks are the more talented team, and if they can stick to their game plan, they should be able to contain the Beavers.  However, it will be up to the forwards to take advantage of their chances.  Matt Dalton has played excellent recently, and will be tough to beat.

Game 1 Prediction

Should I even bother?  I don’t know.  On paper, Miami should win this game, but if we went by paper, then the tournament would already be decided, and that’s why we play the games.  That being said, I think that the time off will hurt Bemidji more than it helps, and Miami will take advantage of their chances on the big national stage.  I say the Redhawks will advance, 3-1. My pick is Miami, final answer.

Game #2 (8:30 pm, ESPN2) Boston University v. Vermont

Vermont

This years’ edition of the Vermont Catamounts has swayed away from what they’ve been known for for the past few years.  A strong defense based around an excellent goalie has been the calling card of the Cats.  They were never really known for being a high scoring team.  That has changed, especially with the emergence of Viktor Stalberg.  That’s not to say there’s no defense or goaltending… I’m sure Patrick Cullity and Rob Madore will have something to say about that.  Vermont does have the honor of being the only team to defeat Boston University twice this season.  They’ve actually accounted for 33% of the Terriers’ losses…. neato!  That weekend, however, proved to be a turning point for BU, and I’m sure that Kevin Sneddon will not let his team think that they can beat BU again without trying too hard because they’ve done it before.   Anyway, Vermont advanced by crusing by Yale, then winning a thriller in Double OT over the Air Force Falcons on a shot that went through the net.  Have to admit, I want to see the flyboys make it, but it wasn’t meant to be.

The Cats will need to try to strike quickly, and beat Millan early, as he seems to get better and better as the game goes on.  Vermont will also need to try to revert back a few years and play excellent defense, as BU has very very fast forwards, and defensemen who like to step up into the play.  For a game plan that could work… they should probably review the tape of the BU / UNH game at the Northeast Regional last week.

Boston University

Ah yes, my beloved Boston University Terriers.  Undoubtedly one of the top teams all season long, BU has almost always managed to find a way to win.  After tough wins in the Hockey East Tournament, BU cruised to victory over Ohio State before getting a lucky bounce against UNH in the Northeast Regional.  UNH definitely played better in that game, but good teams always find a way to win.  For sure, BU will be looking to seek revenge against a team that beat them twice in the friendly confines of Agganis Arena this season.  The pressure is all on the shoulders of the Terriers, who are the clear favorites to take home the title this year.  At this point of the season though, anything can happen, and BU will need to bring it’s best game to take down Vermont.

The key for Terriers will be special teams.  The power play needs to find it’s groove again, to take advantage of a Vermont ‘D’ corps that isn’t quite as strong as in years past.  However, Vermont is much more explosive on the offensive end this year, so BU’s defensemen will need to be careful of breakaways.  There were way too many in the game against UNH.  Again, staying out of the penalty box is something the Terriers will need to do as well… the PK is good, but at this point of the season you don’t want to take too many chances on the shorthand.

Game 2 Prediction

I could try to predict this game, but like I did for the Northeast Regional, I’m going to let this one play itself out.  This is definitely the matchup that I think will produce the next national champion, but I have been wrong before.  Regardless, its going to be a great game, and I can’t wait to catch the end of it.  I’ll be sure to watch after I get out of the Bruins game tomorrow (or tonight, rather).  Go BU!!!

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Game 19 Recap: BU 4, Maine 1

There was no hiccup in the Terriers’ game as they defeated the Maine Black Bears handily at Agganis Arena.  Chris Connolly was the star of the game, scoring two goals on the night.  With the victory, BU moved into the #1 spot in the Pairwise rankings, a stark contrast to where the Terriers stood last year. Read more

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Terrier Hockey: WJCs and Goalies

It’s the last week of college hockey for most schools this week, and here at Let’s Go Terriers, I’d like to catch up and discuss some news that I’ve missed over the past few days.  There are a lot of goings on in the world of BU Hockey… some really great stuff.  I’d also like to comment on the goaltending situation at BU right now, and hear what you have to say about it. Read more

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