Some Tuesday morning college hockey thoughts
As a reader requested, some quick updates on the NCAA tournament
I love the NCAA hockey tournament.
With the one-and-done nature, it’s effectively a series of Game 7s over and over again. Single-elimination might not be the best way to determine a true “best team” but it is fun.
And aside from really two games, the tournament delivered at the regional tournament.
We now have Boston College, Boston University, Denver, and Michigan headed to the Frozen Four on April 11.
There was some strong reception to the casual guide to the NCAA tournament. I would recommend going back to that one if you missed it for a quick intro to those four teams.
But as one reader suggested, I should do a followup this week after the regional games.
So, here are some unfiltered thoughts on the tournament thus far.
The regional system needs to be changed. We really need to change the tournament to campus sites for the regionals. Seeing sparse crowds for some of the biggest games of the year is a bummer, and honestly hurts college hockey.
Frank Nazar is fun. I love the between-the-legs dish in a crucial time to effectively end the game against Michigan State. My pal Sam Stockton has some good stuff on Nazar at his site, Gulo Gulo Hockey, and dubbed it “The Michigan 2.0”
Michigan State’s demise is a rough finish and seemingly a victim of circumstance. Take nothing away from Michigan, but it’s so hard to beat a team five times in a row, and following up a Michigan State Big Ten championship win, it felt like the Wolverines were due.
For a team that was highly exciting during the regular season, Denver won some of the more boring games, both with 2-1 victories. I think David Carle is an NHL head coach in waiting (essentially someone will have to pay up big), and his team’s ability to win different ways is notable.
Quinnipiac lost to BC, but that program is going to continue being a staple in college hockey. I’ve admittedly not giving Quinnipiac not enough due in past, even when the won national title. But I need to adjust that personal bias.
BU is rolling and outscored opponents 12-6 in the regional. I think BU’s one weakness is its goaltending, and maybe that comes into play against Denver in the Frozen Four. But offensively speaking, BU is a buzzsaw.
I’ll do a more proper Frozen Four preview with some more in-depth stuff next week. For now, happy to discuss college hockey more in the comments or via email.