Frozen Faceoff Match-Ups (by Donn)

We have arrived at the final weekend of the inaugural NCHC games.  SCSU was the first winner of the first ever Penrose Cup, and then became the first ever 1^st seed to lose to the 8^th seed in the first round of the playoffs.  This could be a blessing for the Huskies; it will give them a week off to rest up for the NCAA tournament, and refocus their efforts.

NCHC Frozen Faceoff

Miami vs North Dakota

How they got here -

The RedHawks swept the Huskies a dramatic two game set.  Friday the Huskies scored with 1 second left to force overtime, and then Miami wins in OT.  Saturday night the RedHawks untied the score with 3 seconds left to punch their ticket to Minneapolis.

NoDak won the opener, forced OT in the second only to fall short, and the rebounded for the game three winner.

Season series – NoDak wins 3-1-0 – split in Oxford and swept in Grand Forks

These teams met about a month ago in GF, with UND beating MU 3-2 on Valentine’s Day and then crushing them 9-2 the next evening.  I don’t UND will hang another 9-spot on MU, but I don’t see UND losing on Friday either.  UND hasn’t lost on a Friday since November 29.  NODAK WINS

Denver vs Western Michigan

How they got here -

The Pioneers dropped the opener to Omaha and then won the next two games (4-3L, 5-1W, 2-0W) to advance to Minneapolis.

The Broncos swept the playoff series in Duluth (3-2, 4-3) to advance to the Frozen Faceoff.

Season series – Denver wins 3-1-0 – sweep in Denver and split in Kalamazoo

These teams played just three weeks ago in Kalamazoo, with Denver winning the opener 4-2 and the Broncos taking the next game 3-1.  WMU has now won three of their last four games and five of seven.  The Pioneers have won three of their last five and four of the last seven.  I think this game comes down to defense and goal tending and who’s on their A-game.  I’m giving this match up to the “away” team.  PIONEERS WIN

So if my predictions are right, UND v DU, will be the championship game and MU v WMU for third place.  Thus, I will pick UND to win the championship and WMU to take third.