Midwest Region
MSU-Mankato (29-7-3) vs. RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) (19-14-5)
For the first time in program history, the Mavericks of Minnesota State-Mankato hold the number one overall seed in the NCAA tournament after their most prolific regular season in program history that culminated in a WCHA regular season and tournament championship. The Mavericks don’t have a blaring weakness in their game and will be a tough team to eliminate.
RIT comes in as the heavy underdog, but should not be counted out in a one and done scenario tournament like this one. The Engineers are currently riding a seven game winning streak heading into the tournament, including an Atlantic Hockey tournament championship that earned them their bid. The Engineers will need contributions from second and third lines if they plan on keeping up with Mankato.
Players to Watch (MSU-Mankato): F Bryce Gervais, F Matt Leitner, and G Stephon Williams
Players to Watch (RIT): F Matt Garbowski
UNO (University of Nebraska-Omaha) vs. Harvard
Dean Blais’ young squad comes into the tournament on a bit of a downswing, falling to tenth in the latest national polls. While the Mavericks players lack tournament experience, their head coach Blais, more than makes up for it with two national championships under his belt while coaching North Dakota. Look for a back and forth matchup as both teams have the firepower to keep this a high scoring affair.
Harvard comes into the tournament red-hot, winning seven of their last eight including an ECAC Tournament championship after defeating Colgate 4-2. The Crimson also bring the nation’s leading scorer in Jimmy Vesey.
Players to Watch (UNO): F Austin Ortega and G Ryan Massa
Player(s) to Watch (Harvard): F Jimmy Vesey
East Region
University of Denver vs. Boston College
The Denver Pioneers have had a season full of peaks and valleys but have seemed to catch their stride late in the season. The Pioneers have a very balanced attack with seven players tallying double digit goal totals in one of, if not the hardest conference in college hockey.
This has been a bit of a down year for the Eagles of Boston College as their Hobey Baker winner of last season, Johnny Gaudreau, is making some serious noise in the NHL and there hasn't been an electric goal scorer to fill that void. What the Eagles lack in offensive fire power, they make up for in top-notch goal tending, with possibly the best goalie in the tournament in Thatcher Demko.
Players to Watch (Denver): F Trevor Moore and D Joey LaLeggia
Players to Watch (Boston College): F Alex Tuch (Wild’s 2014 first round draft pick) and G Thatcher Demko
Miami (Ohio) vs. Providence
Miami is coming into the tournament as one of the hottest teams in the country right now after winning the toughest conference tournament in the nation in the NCHC. The Red Hawks bring more than enough fire power into the tournament to really make some noise.
The Fryars of Providence aren’t going to strike fear into any of their opponents with a super star goal scorer, but a balanced scoring sheet and a solid goaltender are what really matter in a tournament like this one and the Fryars have that. The Fryars will desperately need their goaltender to stand on his head against a team that will throw everything but the kitchen sink at them.
Players to Watch (Miami): F Riley Barber, F Austin Czarnik, and D Louie Belpedio
Players to Watch (Providence): Nick Saracino and G John Gillies
Northeast Region
Yale vs. Boston University
Looking for a team that can light the lamp at a moment’s notice? This Bulldog team isn’t it, as only one player on the team reached double digit goal totals. The Bulldogs will beat you by playing a sound defensive hockey game with one of, if not the best goaltender in the tournament who has the capability to steal games.
A polar opposite of Yale, this Terrier squad is stacked with playmakers including the most highly sought after prospect in the tournament in Jack Eichel. Eichel has set the college hockey world on fire with 66 points in his first season at Boston University. The Terriers bring five other double digit goal scorers and an elite goaltender to the dance. Look for this Terrier squad to make a serious run as they are my personal favorite to win it all.
Player(s) to Watch (Yale): G Alex Lyon
Players to Watch (BU): F Jack Eichel, F Evan Rodrigues, D Ahti Oksanen
University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. University of Minnesota
The Bulldogs aren’t exactly coming into the tournament on fire, after being swept in the opening round of the NCHC tournament, but in a one and done scenario like this one that doesn’t mean everything (the Bulldogs won the National championship after losing in the WCHA tournament in 2011). The Bulldogs won’t wow you with any superstars, but have the depth that will give any team in the tournament trouble. UMD had the toughest regular season schedule of any team in the NCAA and will be ready for any challenge brought their way. In order for them to be successful, the Bulldogs will need freshman goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo to be on his game.
The Gophers came into the season with sky-high hopes after being defeated in the National Championship last season but returned almost all of their elite players. After a rough middle of the season, the Gophers seem to have turned things around and earned a bid after winning the Big Ten tournament. Built a lot like the Bulldogs with depth at all lines, this could end up being a high scoring affair.
Players to Watch (UMD): F Dominic Toninato, D Andy Welinski, and G Kasimir Kaskisuo
Players to Watch (U of M): F Sam Warning, D Mike Reilly, and G Adam Wilcox
West Region
Michigan Tech vs. St. Cloud State
Michigan Tech is coming off one of their best regular seasons in years and even achieved a number one ranking during the regular season. The Michigan Tech Huskies bring a deep offensive team into the tournament with a battle tested veteran goal tender in Jaimie Phillips, who has started an eye popping 40 games, and has yet to allow more than four goals behind him all season, pretty remarkable.
The Huskies of St. Cloud have been on an up and down roller coaster throughout the season, losing eight one-goal games in the process. While their record may be looked at as soft compared to the other 15 teams, overlooking this squad would be a big mistake that could cost a team their season. The Huskies had the second strongest regular season schedule in the NCAA and have really pulled it together as of late. The Huskies are my dark horse team in the tournament, and can make a run at a title if Charlie Lindgren can hold it down in net.
Players to Watch (Michigan Tech): F Tanner Kero and G Jaimie Phillips
Players to Watch (SCSU): F Joey Benik, F Johnny Brodzinski, and D Ethan Prow
North Dakota vs. Quinnipiac
North Dakota is no stranger to the NCAA Tournament and has made the trip 13 straight times, the best among all teams. Pin pointing a weakness in this team is like finding a needle in a haystack, but it’s important to note that UND has dropped their last two games, a first for them all season. If North Dakota can play their patented brand of physical hockey, they will be one of the two toughest teams to eliminate from championship contention.
Two seasons removed from the programs first ever frozen four and championship appearance, this scrappy Quinnipiac squad look to make another Frozen Four run and possibly earn a first ever title. Coming in as the heavy underdogs, Qunnipiac will not stand a chance if Michael Garteig doesn’t have an amazing game. The Bobcats will also need senior Matthew Peca to step up with leading scorer Sam Anas out of the tournament due to injury.
Players to Watch (UND): F Drake Caggiula and G Zane McIntyre
Player(s) to Watch (Quinnipiac): F Matthew Peca
*Statistics provided by USCHO.com