Following a Big Ten Tournament victory, the Gophers are entering the NCAA Tournament as a confident bunch. Unfortunately, they will face a team that has beat Minnesota three of four meetings; the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. If the Gophers can get past UMD, they will face either Boston University or Yale at 4:34 on Saturday for a chance to go to the Frozen Four. Playing an in-state rival with the stakes high, Minnesota is looking forward to Friday’s challenge.
“Obviously not a team we like to lose to and obviously a great shot at redemption here having a chance to end their season,” said Travis Boyd.
NO. 1 BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Record: 25-7-5 overall, 14-5-3 Hockey East
First Game: Friday, March 27 at 1 p.m. CT vs. Yale (ESPNU)
Head Coach: David Quinn (2nd Season)
Leading Scorer: Jack Eichel (24g, 42a)
About the Terriers
Any conversation about Boston University has to start with future top-two 2015 NHL draft pick, Jack Eichel. The freshman phenom has put together a spectacular season, leading the nation with 66 points (24 goals and 42 assists).
A favorite to win the Hobey Baker, Eichel has led the Terriers to a Beanpot Championship, a Hockey East Regular season title, and a Hockey East Tournament championship. Eichel and Boston University enter the NCAA Tournament as one of the nation’s hottest teams and will present problems for any team they face.
NO. 2 MINNESOTA DULUTH
Record: 20-15-3 overall, 12-9-3 NCHC
First Game: Friday, March 27 at 4:34 p.m. CT vs. Minnesota (ESPNU)
Head Coach: Scott Sandelin (15th Season)
Leading Scorer: Tony Cameranesi (8g, 20a)
About the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs don’t need much of an introduction to Gopher fans. Friday’s meeting will mark the fifth contest at the fifth different venue this season between the two rivals. In a win-or-go-home scenario, the familiarity can be a benefit to both teams.
“It’s not hard to prepare from a standpoint that you’ve played somebody where you’re familiar with their players,” said Don Lucia. “When you get in the NCAA Tournament and you haven’t played against somebody…you really don’t have a great feel of their personnel. You can watch on video but until you’re at ice level, watching the game or playing, you just don’t have that same feel.”
The Bulldogs have proven to be a dangerous team despite recording just one win in their last seven outings.
“UMD’s a very good team,” said Lucia. “They’re very veteran, they’re deep up front; balanced scoring, veteran defensive core and a freshman goaltender that’s come in and played very well for them and probably was the missing ingredient to last year’s team.”
Although there may not be many fans in New Hampshire to watch the rivalry game, Lucia expects to see some great hockey on Friday.
“They’re going to play like we do,” said Lucia. “They’re going to get up and down the rink. They’re going to try to make plays so it should be a fun and entertaining game and we’re looking forward to it.”
NO. 3 MINNESOTA
Record: 23-12-3 overall, 12-5-2 Big Ten
First Game: Friday, March 27 at 4:34 p.m. CT vs. Minnesota Duluth (ESPNU)
Head Coach: Don Lucia (16th Season)
Leading Scorer: Mike Reilly (6g, 36a)
About the Gophers
There’s no doubt that the Gophers will enter Friday’s game as a new team from what UMD saw at the Xcel Energy Center in late January. Since the loss to the Bulldogs in the North Star College Cup, the Gophers have rattled off a 12-3-1 record, all while earning two conference titles for the rafters. Following last weekend’s victories over Ohio State and Michigan to win a Big Ten Championship, Minnesota has momentum at the right time.
“I think we’re playing with a lot more confidence for sure,” said Brady Skjei. “We went into a few weekends in a row, winning the regular season and winning the tournament definitely helps our confidence and I think we’re playing the way we need to play and the way that we know how to play to make a run here.”
NO. 4 YALE
Record: 18-9-5 overall, 12-6-4 ECAC
First Game: Friday, March 27 at 1 p.m. CT vs. Boston University (ESPNU)
Head Coach: Keith Allain (9th Season)
Leading Scorer: Rob O’Gara (6g, 15a)
About the Bulldogs
Playing in the ECAC – a conference that has three times as many NCAA Tournament teams as the Big Ten – has provided Yale with quality competition all season. Most recently, the Bulldogs squared off with rival and fellow NCAA qualifier, Harvard, in the ECAC Tournament quarterfinals. In the three-game series, Yale would win one contest 2-0 but would fall, 3-2 in the other two in an early exit to their conference tournament.
Not a high-scoring team, Yale is absolutely stout defensively; boasting the nation’s best defense (1.50 goals allowed per game) and second best penalty kill (89.5%). Leading the defensive effort is sophomore goalie, Alex Lyon. The Baudette, Minnesota native leads the country with a .939 save percentage, 1.58 goals against, and seven shutouts on the season.