Miami (OH) (29-7-7) vs Boston College (27-10-3)
The RedHawks won their first round game against Alabama-Huntsville, and then need two overtimes to dispatch league rival Michigan, to advance to Detroit. The Eagles beat Cornell in the first round and then won a wildly entertaining game, 9-7, against Yale to earn their trip to Detroit.
The Eagles will need to be much better defensively in this game, versus their last outing. Giving up 7 goals in a game, not often that happens and you still win the game. Miami has been atop the polls most of the season and have played well wearing the #1 target on their back. I don’t see any reason not to pick the RedHawks in this game, then again, a bad bounce here or there will end your season. REDHAWKS WIN
Wisconsin (27-10-4) vs RIT (28-11-1)
The Badgers disposed of Vermont in their first game and then beat SCSU in a rematch of the previous weeks WCHA Final Five, to advance to the Frozen Four. RIT started their run with a win over Denver, followed by a win over New Hampshire.
The Tigers are the Cinderella story of this year’s tournament; I know I’m stating the obvious with that remark. This is only RIT’s 5th year as a division one hockey program, so needless to say they are off to a good start. However, they now face a storied hockey program in the UW Badgers. By comparison the Badgers have 6 NCAA hockey titles, the fourth most (only Michigan-9, North Dakota-7, and Denver-7 have more). This is Bucky’s big chance to get to another title game this decade. After this season UW losses seven seniors and could possibly lose a few others to the pro’s, so next year could be a rebuilding season. I have to go with our conference in this tilt. WISCONSIN WINS
The Wisconsin Badgers are going to shatter Cinderella's glass slipper.
ReplyDeletebc played uaf in the first round. cornell played new hampshire.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Goon. I think this is one of the bad things about the two week off-period between these games, lots of time for hot teams to cool off....such as RIT.
ReplyDeleteIf Miami and Wisco make the Championship I'd imagine it will be a VERY low scoring game with both teams great defense. I have Miami winning it all!
Actually Donn (Sioux7) wrote this but I do think Wisconsin will win.
ReplyDeleteFHG26 I hate the two weeks off between the Regionals and the Frozen Four. I hate basketball and I don't think need to have the stage all to themselves. You could have the championships on different day during the same week.
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the 11 days off from the NCAA regionals to the Frozen Four. With hoops now over, there is more attention on the pucks, especially at a larger venue like Ford Field. Not only that, these teams are beat by the time the NCAA regionals come around from conference tournaments, which may have been what ultimately eliminated teams like Denver and North Dakota: fatigue.
ReplyDeleteIf there was going to be a week and a half off I would like to see it after the Conference tourney to give teams a chance to reload...
ReplyDeleteCrappy ice conditions = advantage RIT. It will be interesting to see just poor the ice is.
ReplyDeleteClown I just read an article from the Wisconsin beat writer that said the ice is horrible at Ford Field...
ReplyDelete