Frozen Four Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Here we are the end of the season, down to four teams in St. Paul. It looks the NCAA didn’t get their wish, four conferences represented; we have four teams representing two conferences, the CCHA and the WCHA. There is one #1 seed and one 4th seed in St. Paul this week. (The # numbers are the NCAA tournament seeding ranks.)

#11 Notre Dame (25-13-5) vs #9 Minnesota-Duluth (24-10-6)

The Fighting Irish won their first round game against Merrimack 4-3 in OT, and then dispatch the host team, New Hampshire 2-1 to advance. The Bulldogs beat Union 2-0 (both goals were on the power play) in the first round and then won somewhat controversial (the 5-minute major penalty and game misconduct to Yale’s top star) game, 5-3, against Yale to earn their trip to St. Paul.

The Bulldogs will need to be much better five on five in this game, versus their last couple of outing. I hate to say it, but UMD might have had the easiest path to St. Paul, having defeated two ECAC teams (no disrespect to the Yale and Union fans). The Irish will get the Cinderella title this year, since they are the lowest seed to advance to the Frozen Four. ND won both their tournament games by a single goal, and UMD won both theirs by two goals. The Irish need to stay out of the penalty box on Thursday and force UMD to score at even strength. Needless to say, this time of year it is important to get the first goal of the game. Getting a lead gives a team the opportunity to try and dictate their game style on their opponent. I’d like to say the Bulldogs are going to win, but I think it will be the luck of the Irish. NOTRE DAME WINS 4-3


#5 Michigan (28-10-4) vs #2 North Dakota (32-8-3)

The Wolverines got passed Nebraska-Omaha 3-2 in OT in their first tournament game that ended on a video replay, which was/is still controversial. Next Michigan ended Colorado College’s season, thus earning a spot in this week’s Frozen Four. The Sioux started by shutting out RPI 6-0 (the Engineers are scoreless in their last three NCAA tournament appearances) in their first game and then disposed of league rival Denver 6-1 in the Midwest Regional Final to advance to St. Paul.

These programs are both powerhouses in hockey, with Michigan owning 9-titles and North Dakota owning 7-titles. If the WCHA Final Five is any indication of the Sioux fan bases, this game will feel like a home game for the Sioux. North Dakota has been on a mission this year, and will need to beat out Michigan to keep their mission on track. Michigan making the tournament this year runs it tourney appearance record to 21 in a row. (Michigan’s run could come to an end soon with the start of the Big Ten hockey league.) The Sioux have made the NCAA tournament every year under coach Hakstol’s reign. UND is playing some great hockey now and just need to continue their game, speed, puck control, and solid defense and goal tending. The Sioux are just too deep for the Wolverines to handle. SIOUX WIN 3-1