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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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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