Pennsylvania is quickly becoming a hockey hotbed, evidenced not only by the establishment of Penn State as a Division I hockey program this season, and professional teams in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, but also by the fact that the Frozen Four will be played in the state for the second year in a row. Last years tournament was played at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, this year the teams will converge on the Wells Fargo Center in Philly. According to Twin Cities-based Ticket King, ticket sales for Thursday’s games are a bit slower than expected, with Gophers hockey tickets available for about $100.
At this point, it’s anybody’s guess who wins it all. What looks like a very balanced field has emerged from the four regions, all looking like they are peaking at just the right time. There aren’t any surprises in the field this year, and depending on which rankings you look at, there really isn’t a clearcut favorite. Yes, on the low end, North Dakota was generally categorized as sneaking into the tournament this year at #14 in the PairWise Rankings. But when you’re talking about UND hockey, it’s hard to ever refer to them as a cinderella story. In that same PairWise Rankings, Minnesota was at #1, followed by BC and Union. In the latest USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll, Minnesota was ranked #1, Union #2, BC #3, and UND were at #5. USCHO.com had Union #1, Minnesota #2, Boston College #3, and North Dakota way down at #13.
Here is a little of what you should know going into this weekends tournament.
Boston College (26-7-4 *5 National Championships)
Head Coach Jerry York (935-569-98 .614)
• Forward: Junior Johnny Gaudreau led the team in scoring with 77 Points on 35 Goals and 42 Assists in 39 games, and ended a +41. He’s the odds on favorite to win the Hobey Baker Award this season.
• Defense: Sophomore Michael Matheson had 3 Goals and 17 Assists for 20 Points in 37 Games, and ended a +18.
• Goaltender: Freshman Thatcher Demko carries a 16-4-3 record, a 2.16 GAA, and .920 Save Percentage.
The Eagles open up against Union in the first game Thursday afternoon, in their NCAA leading twenty fourth Frozen Four appearance. Gopher faithful really don’t know what to expect with Boston College. The Gophers have gotten the best of the Eagles during the regular season the last couple of years, but in the back of their mind has to be the humbling loss Minnesota suffered at the hands of the eventual National Champions in 2012. They have three of the top six point getters in the NCAA in Johnny Gaudreau (77), Kevin Hayes (63) and Bill Arnold (52). That being said, it’s no surprise that the Eagles lead the NCAA in Team Offense. They rank 8th in Team Defense. Head Coach Jerry York has the most wins of any coach in college hockey history, with 935, and tends to reload, versus rebuild. Bottom line is, BC knows how to finish. But they will be facing a very tough opponent in Union.
Minnesota (25-6-6 *5 National Championships)
Head Coach Don Lucia (595-343-84 .623)
• Forward: Junior Kyle Rau led the team in scoring with 37 points on 14 Goals and 23 Assists in 39 games, and ended a +17.
• Defense: Sophomore Mike Reilly 9 Goals and 23 Assists for 32 Points in 39 Games, and ended a +22.
• Goaltender: Sophomore Adam Wilcox carries a 25-5-6 record, a 1.89 GAA, and .934 Save Percentage.
According to Head Coach Don Lucia, the success his team has had this year has far exceeded his expectations. The Gophers were expected to contend for the Big Ten championship, but most hockey experts did not have Minnesota contending for a National Championship. It’s not that the Gophers didn’t have the talent, it’s that Minnesota lost some big names to the NHL last year when Nick Bjugstad, Zach Budish, Erik Haula, Mark Alt and Nate Schmidt decided to leave early. The Gophers restocked the shelves, but would be relying on a lot of skilled, but unproven Freshman, to carry the load. The Freshman class has exceeded expectations, and with them, the team. Minnesota relies on balanced scoring and solid defense, which begins with Goaltender Adam Wilcox. Minnesota ranks 6th in Team Offense, and 2nd in Team Defense. This is their 21st trip to the Frozen Four.
North Dakota (23-13-3 *7 National Championships)
Head Coach Dave Hakstol (235-119-37 .648)
• Forward: Sophomore Rocco Grimaldi led the team in scoring with 39 Points on 17 Goals and 22 Assists in 41 games, and ended a +13.
• Defense: Sophomore Jordan Schmalz 6 Goals and 17 Assists for 23 Points in 40 Games, and ended a even in +/-.
• Goaltender: Sophomore Zane Gothberg carries a 20-9-3 record, a 1.99 GAA, and .926 Save Percentage.
We assumed, and most Gopher fans hoped, that we’d meet the hated Whioux somewhere down the line this season. It just wouldn’t be right if we didn’t see them at least once. And in this case, the stakes couldn’t be higher. UND did it’s usual fly below the radar season, starting off slowly, coming on as the season went on, and staying within’ striking distance all year long. They ended up second to St. Cloud State in a tough NCHC, and will make their 20th Frozen Four after a couple of very tight games in the Midwest Regional. 4th seeded UND upset the top-seeded Badgers 5-2, on three goals in the final few minutes of the game. They then defeated highly ranked Ferris State in an overtime nail biter, 2-1. They have made their run with solid goaltending from Zane Gothberg, and good team balance. North Dakota is tied for 18th in Team Offense, and 16th in Team Defense, for NCAA rankings.
Union (28-6-4)
Head Coach Rick Bennett (78-27-16 .711)
• Forward: Senior Daniel Carr led the team in scoring with 48 Points on 22 Goals and 26 Assists in 37 games, and ended a +26.
• Defense: Junior Shayne Gostisbehere 8 Goals and 21 Assists for 29 Points in 40 Games, and ended a +28.
• Goaltender: Junior Colin Stevens posted a 26-4-2 record between the pipes for the Dutchmen, and carries a 1.93 Goals Against Average and .932 Save Percentage.
I’ll admit, this is a case of Midwest hockey blinders hindering my knowledge of a team. It’s not that I don’t want to follow Union, it’s a case of not having access to any of their games. It’s hard enough to find much college hockey coverage on TV these days. And when a television network blesses us with a game, it’s generally going to be localized, or perennial hockey powerhouses that they are going to cover. When you’re talking about a school with an enrollment of 2,246, and not much Division I success prior to the last few years, you’re not going to find a ton of coverage. But before hockey purists give perennial hockey power BC the nod in this one, take the following into account. The Dutchmen have gone unbeaten in their last 15 games, and beat Boston College in last seasons NCAA tournament by a score of 5-1. They also participated in their first Frozen Four just two years ago. Maybe we should start with the basics. Union College is located in Schenectady New York, and ranks 2nd in Team Offense, and 4th in Team Defense. Their coach, Rick Bennett, was named Coach of the Year by College Hockey News. I don’t think they’re going to surprise a lot of people if they win.
It should be a great weekend of hockey, and anyone’s guess how this one will turn out.
Both Semifinal games on Thursday will be broadcast on ESPN2. The Championship game Saturday night will be broadcast on ESPN at 6:30 CT.