No. 12 Notre Dame (21-11-5 overall, 12-6-4 Hockey East) vs. No. 5 Minnesota (23-11-3 overall, 14-5-1 Big Ten)
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2017
Location: SNHU Arena | Manchester, N.H.
Puck Drop: 2:30 p.m. CT
TV: ESPNU
Stream: Watch ESPN
Radio: 1500 ESPN, Gopher Radio Network
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
The Gophers broke a record as they made their 37th NCAA Tournament, most in the country. When playing in the tournament, the Gophers are 55-37.
The last time the Gophers faced off against Notre Dame in the tournament was in 2004 with Minnesota winning 5-2. Like this year’s game, it was a 1-versus-4 matchup in the region.
The future Big Ten opponents are fairly familiar with each other in recent history. In the last five years, Minnesota is 5-3 in eight contests.
Both teams’ players should be familiar from their pre-college days. The Fighting Irish have seven Minnesota natives on their roster.
Minnesota will need all the offense they can muster against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish boast one of the nation’s top goalies and Mike Richter Award finalist in Cal Peterson. The junior has been outstanding this year, posting a 2.14 goals against average and an impressive .928 save percentage.
Should the Gophers win on Saturday, they’ll play either Cornell or UMass-Lowell to go to the Frozen Four. UMass is more of a betting favorite at 9/1 to win it all compared to the Gophers (11/1). Cornell isn’t far behind at 14/1.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press has a great story about Justin Kloos’ decision to turn down an NHL contract to come back for his senior year. The second-year captain has a team this year that can compete with anyone.
Joe Meloni with College Hockey News takes a look at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are trying to get their first tournament victory since 2011.
UMass boasts an impressive defensive pairing. Rich Thompson with the Boston Herald wrote a story on two Wisconsin natives, Dylan Zink and Michael Kapla.
If the Gophers win and face Cornell, Matt Weinstein’s tournament preview is a must-read.