The Road To The Frozen Four Kicks Off Today: Here Is Everything You Need To Know
The NCAA Hockey Division 1 Tournament kicks off today and I for one couldn’t be more excited. Unfortunately, I had to take a step back in my coverage of college hockey this season due to all the video content and trips we have been going on with Spittin’ Chiclets. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been following along all season. So now that the tournament is finally here, here is everything you need to know.
St. Cloud State, Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota State and Massachusetts are all the one seeds. For anyone who says Minnesota still doesn’t dominate college hockey, 3 of the 4 schools are from the State of Hockey, so the great people of Minnesota shouldn’t be worried about anyone coming in and stealing that title any time soon.
Massachusetts is my pick to win it all this season. I’m sure I’ll hear a lot of “ahhh grinnelli you’re just saying that because you are from Massachusetts and used to get piss drunk at UMass on the weekends” And while part of that is true, I’m picking UMass because they have the best college hockey player in the country on their roster. Cale Makar is leaps and bounds better than anyone else in the NCAA this season. An offensive, puck moving defenseman who can lay out your best player on one shift then put him in an absolute blender the next. The Minutemen will start off with Harvard on Friday then will play the winner of Notre Dame vs Clarkson. Unfortunately for the Minutemen, they’ll have to go through St. Cloud if they want to make it to the Finals. But i’m very confident in Greg Carvel, Cale Makar and the bice from UMass.
Ohio State is another team who will have to face the wrath of St. Cloud State. The 2nd round battle may as well be the national title game. Ohio State has to beat Denver in the 1st round which will be no cake walk, but if they get through the Pios then Ohio State vs St. Cloud State may be the game of the tournament. There isn’t a chance in France that Mason Jobst and Tanner Laczynski go down easy. The duo has been arguably the best combo in college hockey all season, both averaging over a ppg. Older teams tend to prevail in the tournament, so keep an eye out for the Buckeyes.
If you’re a betting man, Minnesota Duluth is another team you should consider. The reigning national champs have the experience and know what it takes to win a national title. They probably have the easiest road to the Frozen Four as well, playing against Bowling Green in the 1st round then the winner of Arizona State vs Quinnipiac.
Yes that is right, Arizona State is in the tournament and has a chance to make the Frozen Four. I don’t think the chances are likely, but the mere fact this program is where they are today is a testament to the hard work of Greg Powers and the ASU coaching staff. Joey Daccord has been lights out for the Sun Devils this season and is up for the Mike Richter award for the nation’s top goalie, so if Daccord gets hot who knows what could happen, but i’m just happy to see the Sun Devils get a shot.
I really liked Cornell to come out of the east, but due to some recent injuries I have to go with Northeastern. It is pretty crazy because NU lost the best line in hockey from the season before and somehow may be better? Junior defenseman Jeremy Davies is almost averaging a point per game with 35 points (8g, 27a) in 36 games. I do like Providence in the East as well, Nate Leaman is one of the top coaches in the country and always has his boys ready to play.
I think St. Cloud State is the best team in this tournament, they have really been the best team in the country from start to finish this season. But their road to Buffalo isn’t easy. They may have to face Ohio State and UMass in order to get to the finals. I mean, AIC is a cake walk, but they are going to have a reality check when they go from playing American International to Ohio State or Denver.