My bracket is destroyed. Only BC's entry into the Frozen Four was accurate in my bracket. Kudos to those of you whose bracket isn't complete garbage.
Here are the matchups:
Ferris State vs. Union
Minnesota vs. Boston College
Before I break down each game and give my (worthless) predictions, I wish to opine thusly: I do not like these matchups. I think there is plenty of glamor and appeal among the general college hockey population for the Minny/BC tilt, but there isn't much appeal for the Union/Ferris State tilt (other than the humanistic approach). I would have loved to have seen:
Minnesota vs. Union
Ferris State vs. Boston College
I think this brings everyone to both games. Sure, it might be the ESPN-ization of the brackets (giving the best opportunity to see the two biggest schools face off for the title) but I think it has the most appeal.
But that's not how the brackets work so here's the breakdown:
Union vs. Ferris State:
Union is the #1 seed in this game. Ferris isn't. Ferris State is a true Cinderella story. Union's story is good too. Both are in uncharted territory. Either team wins and it will be either team's first Frozen Four NC game. Despite my disdain towards the matchup, these two teams seem to match up well talent wise. It will be a good game. Union's goaltender is a Hobey finalist. I think he's proven that he's worthy.
Prediction: I got burned for not going by the rankings so I will go with the rankings tonight. My heart is with Ferris state but.... I predict Union wins 3-2.
Minnesota vs. BC:
This would be a GREAT NC matchup... but it is just a semifinal matchup. BC has won 17 straight which is something (if you believe in that... as it didn't work well for UND). Minnesota is rolling right now, stunning opponents with novel concepts not seen in recent years (such as Team Defense). Minnesota scored 12 goals in St. Paul and only gave up what... 5?
BC comes in having scored 6 goals in the regional and giving up... ZERO GOALS.
This game MIGHT require OT. And this game could go either way.
Prediction: 17 game streak... 0 goals allowed in the NCAAs thus far. Hard to go against BC. I think BC wins 2-1. It's going to be a great game. However, I will say this: Whoever wins THIS game, wins the National Championship so... as you see below, all you have to do is replace BC with Minny if Minny wins this game and my prediction remains the same otherwise.
NC Game:
BC vs. Union:
Union does a great job just getting here.... and leaves proud but quietly.
BC does its best impression of the 2002? Minnesota NC team when it played UNH for the title.
Prediction: BC: 5 Union: 1
Showing posts with label FROZEN FOUR MATCH-UPS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FROZEN FOUR MATCH-UPS. Show all posts
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Thursday, April 05, 2007
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 :)
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 :)
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