The NCAA college hockey season hits the spotlight this Thursday. It is down to four elite teams to battle for the championship. The home of the Frozen Four is the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
It all kicks off Thursday afternoon with a battle between Hockey East powerhouse Boston College and ECAC tournament champion Union.
The Eagles won the Northeast Region by defeating the Denver Pioneers and battling through a tight 4-3 win over UMass-Lowell. The Eagles are not strangers to the Frozen Four, they are making their 24th appearance. The Jerry York led Eagles are in search of their sixth national championship. The Eagles are led by Calgary Flames prospect and Hobey Baker Finalist Johnny Gaudreau, and linemate scorer Kevin Hayes. The Eagles are always strong favorites, and they are again the favorite going into the Frozen Four.
The Union Dutchman definitely do not have the same prestigious college hockey resume that Boston College does, but the Dutchman are a force to be recon with. Union won the ECAC tournament for the third year in a row. This is their second appearance in the Frozen Four with the last one being in 2012. The Dutchman advanced by rolling through the East Region with victories over Vermont and Providence. Union plays a very well-rounded game and will definitely create a formidable task for Boston College.
In the night game, the Minnesota Golden Gophers take on the University of North Dakota. This is quite possibly one of the biggest rivalries in all of hockey. It is no secret that these teams hate each other.
The Gophers have been ranked #1 for the majority of the season. Ranked #1, until a surprising loss in the Big Ten Tournament, the Gophers rolled through the Midwest Regional with wins over Robert Morris and St. Cloud. The Gophers feature a very potent offense that moves the puck very well. The Gophers are the favorite to advance on to the finals, but they sure did not want to have to face long time rival North Dakota.
North Dakota is the surprise team at the Frozen Four. North Dakota lost in the NCAC Tournament to Miami, and then needed help from Wisconsin to even make the regional tournament. The team formerly known as the Fighting Sioux (and always will be by fans) enter the Frozen Four with wins over Wisconsin and an double-overtime thriller versus Ferris State. North Dakota has always been a team known to peak late in the season and this year is nothing different. North Dakota is looking for great performances from goaltender Zane Gothberg and Florida Panthers prospect and speedy superstar Rocco Grimaldi. This will be a classic battle, of long time rivals. It surely will not disappoint.
FROZEN FOUR SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 10
– 5:00pm est. – Union versus Boston College – ESPN2
– 8:30pm est – North Dakota versus Minnesota – ESPN2
Saturday, April 12
– 7:30pm est – Championship Game – ESPN
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.