2009 NCAA Tournament: The Frozen Four

I’ve taken this time to digest what’s happened in college hockey over the past few weeks.  Well.. to be honest, I got into another car accident so I’ve been trying to deal with that, and working a lot also.  But its been a crazy few weeks for college hockey and college hockey fans.  Making the trip to Manchester, I don’t think I’ve ever watched so much college hockey.  We literally drove around to find places to watch more, and it was a ton of fun.  Add to that the two BU victories, and a trip to the Frozen Four for the first time ever for the Terriers.  It was a great weekend.  Continuing on, it’s still one and done the rest of the way, but the usual cast of characters are definitely not there.  The way the tournament has shaped up so far has provided one of the most interesting Frozen Fours to date.

Let’s recap on some of the great surprises of the tournament so far:

• Air Force took down #3 Michigan in the first game of the 2009 Tournament.
• Miami took it to Denver in the West Regional, taking out the #4 Pioneers.
• Bemidji State smoked Notre Dame, 5-1, in the Midwest Regional.
• Minnesota Duluth tied Princeton with 0.8 seconds left in their game.  Then proceeded to win in overtime.
• UNH tied North Dakota with 0.1 second left in their game.  Then proceeded to win in overtime.
• After a nearly 20 minute review, a shot by Vermont that went through the net proved to be the game winner, knocking Air Force out and punching Vermont’s ticket to the frozen four.  This review happened 5 minutes after the initial shot…
• Bemidji State destroyed Cornell 4-1, punching the first ever ticket to the Frozen Four by a non-big 4 conference team.
• Miami held off Duluth… making it 2 #4 seeds in the Frozen Four.

BU, actually, was the only team to hold serve.  However, it was just barely, as New Hampshire coach Dick Umile formulated an excellent defensive plan, and his team executed it nearly to perfection, keeping the game tied at 1 until an unfortunate re-direction by Senior Jerry Pollastrone put the puck in his own net. With only 14.4 seconds left.  That’s how close it was for the Terriers.  One lucky bounce and either one of the two teams could be in the Frozen Four.

That being said, BU is the overwhelming favorite to win it all now.  However, they by no means have the easiest road to a title.  The Terriers next face #9 Vermont, the only team to defeat them twice this year.  Both of those victories happened at Agganis Arena as well, and only weeks after BU thumped Vermont 7-2 at the Gut.  Another interesting tidbit: Both of these teams are undefeated at neutral sites…. one of those teams will have that streak ended for this season.

The strangest thing is that there will definitely be a #4 seed in the championship game.  I don’t know the last time that happened (or if it ever happened before), but it shows that there really is parity in college hockey.  Any one team can win on any given night.  I don’t think it’s possible that anyone would have picked these four teams to be duking it out for the national championship.  My bracket was busted after the first night.  The only one regional that turned out the way I thought it would was the Northeast Regional.  Luckily, it turned out the way I wanted, and I got to see some excellent hockey…. despite some aggravation provided by BU’s own fans, but I’ll leave that to be discussed at a later time.

In about 4 days time, we’ll have crowned a new champion in Division 1 college hockey.  I may be there for it, I may not be.  But the excitement is building, and I can’t wait.  Stay tuned for more.. as we preview the games, and reflect back on the season as it winds to an end.

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2009 NCAA Tournament: Northeast Regional Preview

It’s roughly 11 and a half hours till the first teams will hit the ice at the Verizon Wireless Arena for the 2009 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Northeast Regional.  This, in my opinion was one of the more difficult regionals to be in.  There are the three traditional powerhouses in BU, UNH and UND, and a team that is probably better than your typical #4 seed in Ohio State.  Of course, after seeing the results of yesterday’s games, we can see that anything can happen.  Congrats to the Flyboys at the Air Force Academy, the Redhawks of Miami, the Catamounts of Vermont, and the Bulldogs of UMD for advancing to the next stage in the tournament.  Excellent games today, and I wish I could’ve seen them instead of just listening.  With the upsets in mind, let’s take a look at the teams in the Northeast regional.

Game #1:  #2 North Dakota (24-14-4, 17-7-4 WCHA) v. #3 New Hampshire (19-12-5, 15-8-4 Hockey East)

This game features two clubs that I have always associated with high flying offenses, hitting hard, and having very skilled players.  Well, that’s no different this year for the Sioux and the Wildcats.  Both teams are averaging over three goals a game.  The difference this year will be in net.  Freshman Brad Eidsness of the Sioux and Sophomore Brian Foster of the Wildcats will be tested a lot this weekend.  Both are coming off disappointing ends to their respective conference seasons and are looking to redeem themselves in Manchester.

For New Hampshire to win this game, they’ll need to harness the excitement of the home crowd, and make the most of their power play opportunities, a component of their game that just hasn’t been that strong this year.  They’re struggling big time at 11.5%.  The Sioux don’t have the greatest penalty kill, so the Wildcats should do their best to take advantage of that.  For the Sioux, it will be getting out to an early start, using their big defensemen and balanced scoring to wear out the ‘Cats.  Personally, I think that people are already counting UNH out, but I think they can pull it off.

Game #2: #1 Boston University (31-6-4, 18-5-4 Hockey East) v. #4 Ohio State (23-14-4m 13-11-4-3 CCHA)

On paper, BU is the clear favorite in this game, especially with their stifiling defense giving up less than 2 goals per game.  BU’s offense is also a little more high powered, averaging nearly 4 goals per game, led by talented centers Colin Wilson (15-35-50), and Nick Bonino (16-28-44).  However, as Air Force and Miami showed, you cannot overlook the #4 seed, and Coach John Markell is sure to let his team know that it’s possible to take down a team like BU in a one and done situation.  Coach Parker is sure to let his boys know the same.  BU has been sluggish in their last few weeks, but have still find a way to win, which is a trademark of a good team.  However, at this point in the season, that’s not going to cut it.

For the Buckeyes to take this game, they’ll need to do what Maine did to BU a few weeks ago.  Do what BU does, but do it Better.  It’s possible to catch the Terriers looking in the mirror, and trapping to take away the transition game from the Terriers.  Ohio State will need to make the most of their opportunities, and convert on the power play.  BU is one of the most penalized teams in the nation.  For BU, they’ll need to draw on their experience, skill, and speed to attack the young Buckeyes, and try to take away the game before Ohio can settle into a trapping style game.  Staying out of the box will be key for BU (I’m talking to you, Eric Gryba), so that the skill players can remain fresh for the 5 on 5 and Power Play situations.

Predictions:

I’m not going to try to pick a winner in the BU game, as its been too crazy tonight with all the upsets.  I’m worried that the Terriers will take this game too lightly and look towards the “stronger” competition in UND and UNH.  That would be a huge mistake.  As for game 1, I’m going to say that UNH will pull it out, and prove people to people they can win at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

I’ll be heading to Manchester in a few hours… and settling in at Murphy’s Tap Room at about 12:30 pm.  If you’ve read this, I’ll probably be there before the games both days, so feel free to come by and say hi!  Go Terriers!

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