SIOUX7 Makes his Debut

FROZEN FOUR PREDICTIONS.

The afternoon tilt will feature the Maine Blackbears vs the Michigan State Spartans. Both programs have good hockey roots, Maine has been in the playoffs for many years now, and MSU has always been a contender. Maine got to the FF by beating St. Cloud State in the first round by a score of 4-1, they held SCSU scoreless of 9-power play opportunities. In the 2nd round they got a "re-match" against UMass, they had just lost 4 games to them to end the regular and HE playoff season. But the game that counted, Maine got revenge and they won. MSU got to the FF by first taking out Boston U, BU had been struggling down the stretch and it showed against the Spartans, and well, you know the story, MSU advanced. Then MSU had to play the No. 1 team in the polls, Notre Dame, not a traditional hockey power. MSU got tons of help from a Huntsville Alabama team that took the Irish to 2-overtimes the day before. All that bonus hockey came back to haunt the Irish as they didn't seem to have the jump that MSU had all game, but Notre Dame didn't give up after falling down by 2-0 score they got a goal, but alas that was the only one they got and MSU advanced by a score of 2-1.

The Big key to this game will be BIG BEN, if can play well and not injure/stress his groin again Maine has a chance of winning. MSU will have to try and take advantage of Big Ben's weakness, they need to make him move, especially side-to-side, if they can do that and get quality shots, they should win the game. I think this will be a low scoring affair, with any power play goals going a long way in determining the winner. I will pick the Spartans of MSU to win the game 3-2.

The evening match up, is being billed as THEE game. Arguably the 2 hottest teams in the country entering the tourney, these two teams are developing quite a history in the playoffs the last 10-years. It seems if these guys where meant to play each other...(yes, I'm in suggesting that there was some type of conspericy in the NCAA tourney selection of teams and seeding process. They do use a formula, but at some point the human factor has to come into play, it is after all humans that do play the games, not the computer) I could ramble on and on about how good each team is and all there strenghts, but I won't. It is the weakness that will need to be exploited by both teams in order to win. BC will need to stay away from the penalty box and UND will have to have Phil (the goalie) play and excellent game. That simple. With that I will now put on my green goggles for my prediction, SIOUX 4-2 (the 4 is an empty netter), that is what my crystal ball has told me :)