AHHHHHHHHH!!!!! So freaking excited about these games and so glad there's only one 'early' NHL playoff game tonight so I won't be missing much while taking in the college games.
In a scheduling system heavy on the intra-conference play, it's interesting to note that both Michigan and Notre Dame and North Dakota and Boston College have met previously this season, both because of and inspite of such a schedule.
In a 40-ish game schedule (depending on in-season tournaments), a team will play about 10 non-conference opponents. The top tier teams often take on other top tier teams from different conferences to guage their abilities on a national level and improve thier strength of schedule. So it was a big deal when two-time National Runner-Up Boston College (Hockey East) hosted North Dakota (CCHA), the team they had beaten both times to advance to the National Title game, earlier this season...but more on this later...
For now, I'd like to start with top ranked Michigan against upstart Notre Dame. The conference opponents met twice earlier this season with Michigan winning both games. If you've been following me, you know that I LOVE rooting for the underdog, but I just don't see how Notre Dame can beat Michigan. The Irish were able to feast on New Hampshire because of their faltering confidence after struggling at the end of the season and then losing in the Hockey East playoffs despite locking up the regular season title weeks earlier. Then they were able to defeat a Michigan State team who had been mediocre at best all season. But....This is MICHIGAN!!
This was supposed to be a rebuliding year for the Maize and Blue after losing Andrew Cogliano and Jack Johnson to the NHL and acquirring a boatload of Freshmen, but the Wolverines have been dominant all season long. They have size, speed and skill. In short their offense is lethal and the goaltending is stellar. On average they score just under four goals a game (3.96 to be exact) while allowing only two. They feature the top scoring line in the country - Kevin Porter (Hobey Baker Finalist, CCHA Player of the Year and the nation's leading scorer), Chad Kolarik (third-leading scorer in the college ranks) & Max Pacioretty (CCHA Rookie of the Year). Their PP operates at 20.5% efficency with a PK at 86.9%...are you getting my drift? They kick butt and take names and Notre Dame will be no different.
To be fair, let's chat about the Fighting Irish with thier golden helmets...In only their third NCAA tournament appearance and thier first trip ever to the Frozen Four and first by a fourth seed to boot, the Irish are without the services of their leading scorer Erik Condra due to a knee injury. Junior Jordan Pearce is a big reason why Notre Dame has been able to keep opponents to only 2 goals a game. Their offense, after Condra, is led by Ben Ryan, Ryan Thang, Mark Van Guilder and Christian Hanson. The underdog has won before - just look at Michigan State last year who came to the Frozen Four as a #3 seed - but I just don't see this underdog winning.
Despite Michigan and Notre Dame being conference foes, the inter-conference matchup between North Dakota and Boston College is where it's at!! To get back to thier game earlier in the season....it was CALLED OFF! After two periods and no goals, the game was called due to poor ice conditions. The fog at ice level was so bad, you couldn't see the puck (check the internet...there are pictures and oddly enough, they're beautiful). That plus their recent Frozen Four history against each other, makes this game an absolute toss up. Here's the skinny on each team...
I have loved the Fighting Sioux ever since the off season when current Hobey Baker winner - Ryan Duncan and teammates TJ Oshie, Taylor Chorney and Joe Finley decided not to follow former teammate, Jonathan Towes, to the NHL and stick together to hopefully finish what they started and make another run at the National Championship. They started the season ranked #1, but quickly fell after a rather mediocre start. In fact, they split every series in the first half of the season and didn't kick things into high gear until after thier holiday tournament (
Click here to read my blog about it from earlier this year). Since then, they have found their groove. Backstopped by Jean-Phillippe Lamoureux and his 1.64 GGA and led by Oshie and Duncan and their 45 and 40 points respectively, they roll all four lines and boast 14 skaters with double digits in points.
On the flipside...I've not been a fan of BC ever since my time at UMass, but I've gotten over it...this team ROCKS! Talk about overcoming adversity...there was a time this season when they weren't even in the nation's Top 15!! But much like the Sioux, they kicked it into high gear mid-way through the season. They won their holiday tourny and then the Beanpot in February followed by the Hockey East Tournament. Led by Hobey Baker Finalist, Nathan Gerbe and his 60 points, these Eagles might be on the smaller side, but man are they FAST. Thier PP converts at 21.7% led by freshman and last week's OT hero, Joe Whitney and his 28 man-advantage points. Another freshman stand-out (much like Michigan, this was a rebuilding year for BC), goaltender John Muse has started all 42 games in goal with a 2.26 GGA, but stepping it up in the post season he has a 1.60 GGA in the last six games. Yet another freshman to keep your eye on is San Jose defensive prospect Nick Petrecki - an absolute stud at the blueline.
Speaking of studs on the blueline...The Orpik brothers have donned the maroon & gold for a combined six years and hold some errie similarities. Older brother Brooks, currently with the Pittsburgh Penguins, played three years for BC making it to the Frozen Four his first two years before winning the National Title in 2001 in his junior season...Younger brother Andrew is presently in his junior season after making it to the Frozen Four the previous two years...interesting, no? I talked to Brooks earlier this week and he's excited for their potential to win this weekend. He spends his summers back on campus helping the boys while finishing up his degree (good job by you!). We'll see if history can repeat itself.
Personally, I'm hoping for a North Dakota victory, but most importantly a GREAT game and of that I am assured. :)
Be sure to tune in on ESPN2 at 6pm EST for Game 1 between BC & ND and at 9:30pm EST for the second game between ND & UM.
Enjoy the games!!!
Jules
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