NCAA Frozen Four Preview
The Frozen Four is set after the conclusion of regional play this past weekend. Michigan, Denver, Minnesota State and Minnesota will battle it out in Boston at TD Garden next weekend for the NCAA Division I Title.
Get caught up from the past weekend, with roster analysis and previews of each of the 4 teams.
Quick Hits
Goaltender Brandon Bussi shines for Western Michigan, signs with Boston
Michigan in search for first NCAA Title since 1998
#3 Notre Dame defeats #2 North Dakota 2-1 after late game goal reversal.
48% of Frozen Four rostered players spent final junior season in the USHL, followed by 15% in the BCHL
11 USNTDP products playing in Frozen Four, 7 on Michigan
Past Champions
2021 - UMass
2019 - Minnesota Duluth
2018 - Minnesota Duluth
2017 - Denver
2016 - North Dakota
2015 - Providence
** 2020 Canceled due to Covid-19
Frozen Four Appearances
Boston College - 25
Michigan - 25
Boston University - 22
North Dakota - 22
Minnesota - 21
Michigan vs Denver
4.7.22 - 5 pm
Michigans offense cruised through the Allentown Region, defeating AIC 5-3 before Quinnipiac 7-4. Luke Hughes (New Jersey) and Owen Powers’ (Buffalo) offensive instincts allow them to activate almost into fourth forwards, causing nightmares off both cycles and rush attacks. Brendan Brisson (Vegas) has been impressive en route to the Frozen Four, scoring in each game of the Big 10 and National tournament : 4 goals 5 assists in last 4 games.
But this team has championship tendencies and are getting key contributions from their upperclassman. Senior Garrett Van wyhe tallied a goal in both the semifinals vs AIC and the 4th goal vs Quinnipiac, with fellow senior Nolan Moyle opening the scoring in the Allentown Final just over 30 seconds in.
Denver, the Loveland Region winner, defeated UMass Lowell 3-2 before facing #2 Minnesota Duluth. Carter Savoie’s goal less than half way into the third would advance the Pioneers back to the Frozen Four. Denver last won the NCAA title in 2017.
With 13 draft picks, Michigan looks to have too many options to go to in key situations, but Denver is a team that can defend and control skilled teams.
Players To Watch
Michigan
Luke Hughes - Defense (New Jersey)
Owen Powers - Defense (Buffalo)
Brendan Brisson - Forward (Vegas)
Denver
Bobby Brink - Forward (Philadelphia)
Carter Savoie - Forward (Edmonton)
Magnus Chrona - Goaltender (San Jose)
Roster Breakdown
Michigan
USHL - 11
USNTDP - 7
BCHL - 6
Transfer - 2
AJHL/OJHL/NAHL - 1
Denver
USHL - 9
AJHL - 5
BCHL - 4
NAHL - 3
USNTDP - 2
Finland/Sweden/OJHL - 1
Minnesota vs Minnesota St
4.7.22 - 8:30 pm
A battle of Minnesota should be an interesting second Frozen Four semifinal.
#1 seed Minnesota State held off #4 Harvard 4-3 in the Albany Region semifinals before facing #3 Notre Dame, who was fresh off an eventful, OT win over North Dakota. Nathan Smith’s goal late in the first would end up being the 1-0 winner, as Dryden Mckay stood tall in net for the Mavericks to advance to the Frozen Four.
Bob Motzko’s group came back to steal a semifinal win vs #3 UMass in the Worcester Region after coming back twice before Matthew Knies’ (Toronto) 3rd period to finally give the Gophers a lead to hang onto to. The Maple Leafs prospect was on the score sheet again in the Worcester Region Finals, opening the scoring in the first getting lost in front. Aaron Huglen’s early third period goal would be the winner, as Minnesota would add an empty net for the 3-1 win over a tough Western Michigan team.
Talented NHL prospects Brock Faber (Los Angeles) and Matthew Knies (Toronto) will be players for NHL fans to keep an eye on, is there a possibility one (if not both) are added to playoff rosters ?
Players To Watch
Minnesota
Brock Faber - Defense (Los Angeles)
Matthew Knies - Forward (Toronto)
Ben Meyers - Forward (Free Agent)
Minnesota St
Nathan Smith - Forward (Arizona)
Benton Maass - Defense (Washington)
Dryden McKay - Goaltender (Free Agent)
Roster Breakdown
Minnesota
USHL - 16
USHS MN - 3
NAHL - 2
USNTDP - 2
Transfer/Prep/BCHL/SJHL - 1
Minnesota State
USHL - 17
BCHL - 6
Transfer - 3
NAHL - 2
NAHL Power Rankings #4
Final FREE Power Rankings before the playoffs, check out which East Division team is ranked #1.
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