Here's the final installment. I'm not going to predict the Frozen Four outcomes until the teams have been set.
Midwest Regional:
This is about as difficult as the West. It features Michigan, Ferris State, Denver, and Cornell. Since I haven't seen 3 of the 4 teams in this bracket play, I'm going to be brief.
Ferris State vs. DU:
Ferris State is a Cinderella story. They came out of nowhere to choke away the CCHA tourney by losing in the first round.
DU is a tough team mad as all get out after getting embarrassed vs. UND in the WCHA Tourney championship.
Prediction: Feel good Ferris State. You made the tourney. Bad news: DU destroys you.
Michigan vs. Cornell:
SNOOOOOOOOOOOZEFEST. Cornell historically plays a boring style of hockey. Michigan is cold and calculating. If Shawn Hunwick shows up like he did vs. UND a year ago, Michigan wins easy. If he lets in weak goals like he did vs. WMU, then oops.
Prediction: Michigan wins.
Regional Final: Michigan vs. DU. I think DU stuns the #1 seed in this Regional.
East Regional:
This is the easiest bracket in the tourney by a LONG SHOT. If you could believe in a team like Union, it would be easy to think they'll walk into the Frozen Four however....
Union vs. Michigan State:
Union is a team that hasn't really played many quality teams. They've played a few ranked opponents. They've played nonconference ranked opponents in DU, CC, WMU, Michigan, and Merrimack. Against those opponents, they have a 2-2-2 record. Their wins were against Merrimack and Michigan.
Michigan State is an interesting story in that they squeaked in by the hairs on their chinny chin chin. If it was any other opponent I wouldn't give Michigan State a sniff at a win.
However....I'm not sold on either team doing anything, but since I have to pick a team...
Prediction: I predict upset city. Michigan State wins in OT. Union becomes the only #1 to fall in the first round.
Miami vs. Mass Lowell:
UMass is another Cinderella story. They've seemingly come out of nowhere. And that's where they're going in this NCAA tourney.
Miami: Been here done it before. Miami has been very inconsistent looking downright pathetic vs. WMU in the CCHA tourney. However, Blasi always watches his team drop one in their shorts before the NCAAs and well, things turn out alright.
Prediction: Miami wins.
Regional Final: I may not be sold on Union/MSU outcome but I am sold on this: If Miami beats UMass Lowell, they go to the Frozen Four.
I also predict that this Regional will be the most poorly attended.
Frozen Four Wrap Up:
Using my predictions: I think the final four teams will be BC, Minnesota, Miami, and DU.
Since I'm not sold on any teams but BC and Miami listed above, I'll wait until the Frozen Four is set to make my predictions.
