The sector for the NCAA males’s hockey match is ready, with 16 groups trying to earn a visit to St. Paul, Minnesota, for the Frozen 4.
Regional play begins Thursday and concludes March 31, with the nationwide semifinals set for April 11 and the championship recreation on April 12 on the Xcel Vitality Heart. Each recreation of the match can be aired on the ESPN household of networks and streamed on ESPN+.
Boston Faculty, the Hockey East champion and No. 1 crew a lot of the season, secured the No. 1 general seed. The opposite high seeds are Boston College, Denver and Michigan State.
The match champions in Atlantic Hockey, the Massive Ten, CCHA, ECAC, Hockey East and NCHC had been computerized qualifiers, with the ten at-large spots decided by the PairWise rankings.
Under is the match schedule, which can be up to date with outcomes as video games are performed. (An interactive bracket that can be up to date could be discovered right here.) Moreover, we get you prepared for the motion with a have a look at the highest storylines and gamers from ESPN faculty hockey analysts Andrew Raycroft and Sean Ritchlin, and a team-by-team breakdown of your entire area.
Schedule
All instances ET
Springfield (Massachusetts) Regional
Semifinals, March 28
No. 1 Denver vs. No. 4 UMass, 2 p.m. (ESPN2)
No. 2 Maine vs. No. 3 Cornell, 5:30 p.m. (ESPNews)
Closing, March 30
Semifinal winners, 4 p.m. (ESPNU)
Sioux Falls (South Dakota) Regional
Semifinals, March 28
No. 1 Boston College vs. No. 4 RIT, 5 p.m. (ESPNU)
No. 2 Minnesota vs. No. 3 Omaha, 8:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Closing, March 30
Semifinal winners, 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Windfall (Rhode Island) Regional
Semifinals, March 29
No. 1 Boston Faculty vs. No. 4 Michigan Tech, 2 p.m. (ESPNU)
No. 2 Wisconsin vs. No. 3 Quinnipiac, 5:30 p.m. (ESPNews)
Closing, March 31
Semifinal winners, 4 p.m. (ESPNU)
Maryland Heights (Missouri) Regional
Semifinals, March 29
No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Western Michigan, 5 p.m. (ESPNU)
No. 2 North Dakota vs. No. 3 Michigan, 8:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Closing, March 31
Semifinal winners, 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Frozen 4
Nationwide semifinals, April 11, 5 and eight:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Nationwide championship recreation, April 13, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Storylines to observe
What crew outdoors the highest 4 might make a run on the nationwide title?
Andrew Raycroft: Omaha is my decide. Coming off an upset of North Dakota within the NCHC semifinals, Omaha might have the simplest path (if there may be an best path?) of all of the decrease seeds. The Mavericks are one of many hottest groups within the nation; previous to their loss to Denver within the NCHC last, that they had gained 14 of their final 16 video games in a battle-tested convention.
Sean Ritchlin: Exterior the highest 4, the Massive Ten and NCHC have some gifted groups that haven’t been as constant as you’d wish to see. However they’ve important upside that would push them to creating a run. Michigan gained six of its final seven video games earlier than dropping in additional time within the Massive Ten last and has a high-end offense that may compete with anybody. However the Wolverines have struggled to maintain targets in opposition to down, and over the previous 10 years, one of the best defensive groups have had extra success within the NCAA tourney. On the high of the listing for crew protection this yr are Cornell, Quinnipiac (no shock there) and Wisconsin. These are the groups finest suited to decelerate the high-powered offensive groups (like BC and BU) and frustrate them in transition.
Two choices: 1.) Boston Faculty or Boston College, the highest two general seeds, will win all of it, or 2.) anybody aside from BC or BU will win it. What’s your decide?
Raycroft: I’m taking possibility 1 as a result of BC is so good! The Eagles have the star energy, the position gamers, the regular protection and, after all, the goaltending essential to win the championship. On high of that, their particular groups are elite, with the penalty kill one of the best within the nation and the ability play within the high 5.
Ritchlin: BC is the clear chalk heading into the tourney because it has the deepest lineup within the nation; the Eagles are second in targets per recreation (4.51) and fourth in targets in opposition to (2.22). Will Smith, the nation’s main scorer with 67 factors, is only the start with Cutter Gauthier, Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard all confirmed high-end gamers up entrance. In internet, Jacob Fowler has been stable with a 2.19 GAA whereas successful 29 video games. BC can beat you on the push or play a grind-it-out recreation down low, resulting in probabilities off the forecheck and in entrance of the online. With all that mentioned, the Eagles are younger and many of the stars have not performed an NCAA match recreation. Can their ability outweigh the dearth of expertise and nerves that include enjoying on faculty hockey’s largest stage?
What’s your tackle the Hobey Baker race?
Raycroft: My selection is Cutter Gauthier of BC. He leads the nation in targets with 35 and been ultra-consistent, getting factors in 32 of 37 video games performed. The caveat to this decide is that Macklin Celebrini, BU’s uber freshman, beat out Gauthier for Hockey East participant of the yr. I am nonetheless sticking with Gauthier although.
Ritchlin: There are such a lot of star-powered underclassmen this season. The race between the wonderful expertise of 17-year-old Macklin Celebrini of BU and BC freshman Will Smith makes this a coin flip for me. Celebrini successful participant of the yr in Hockey East leads me to consider the voters might lean his manner, and he scored extra targets than Smith, with 31 in his stellar freshman season. Traditionally the committee has positioned an emphasis on goal-scoring, which might swing issues towards Gauthier. And North Dakota sophomore Jackson Blake, who is correct there with Celebrini and Gauthier with 59 factors, additionally can be worthy. I believe the ultimate three will come right down to Celebrini, Smith and Blake, and after Smith’s four-goal efficiency within the Hockey East last, it’s onerous to not give him the award. He has been probably the most dominant participant on one of the best crew within the nation.
Who’re your picks for the Frozen 4?
Raycroft: BC, BU, Denver and North Dakota. I see upsets coming within the opening video games of every regional, however not in opposition to the highest canines. In a single-and-done video games, something can occur however I consider the highest three groups have an excessive amount of firepower to be shut down on opening weekend. The robust one right here can be NoDak vs. Michigan State — these groups would offer an elite matchup within the second recreation of regionals.
Ritchlin: BC, Michigan State, Minnesota and Denver. When it will get to one-and-done video games, I’m an enormous believer in crew protection and goaltending. Michigan State simply gained the Massive Ten title on the again of Trey Augustine making spectacular saves look straightforward and he has gained in strain conditions already, taking residence the gold medal for Staff USA within the World Junior Championships. I just like the Spartans to return to the Frozen 4. Boston Faculty is clearly the highest crew within the nation and until the Eagles have a totally off night time, they are going to be in St. Paul as the favourite to take residence the title. After the heart-breaking OT loss to Quinnipiac in final yr’s title recreation, the Golden Gophers have had their eyes set on this tourney from the beginning of the season and I see Bob Motzko and Minnesota returning to the Frozen 4 of their residence state. Denver is coming off a stellar NCHC championship win. Standout freshman defenseman Zeev Buium and ahead Jack Devine lead the Pioneers, who’re as scary as anybody within the nation offensively, main the nation with 4.79 targets per recreation.
Windfall Regional
No. 1 Boston Faculty (31-5-1)
How did Eagles get right here: Hockey East champion
PairWise rating: 1
NCAA historical past: In 36 earlier NCAA appearances, the Eagles have made the Frozen 4 25 instances (second all time). BC has gained 5 nationwide championships, the final in 2012.
Sizzling or not? Sizzling would not do BC justice. How about able to spontaneously combust? The Eagles have gained 12 straight, capped by a dominant efficiency within the Hockey East match. Freshman Will Smith had 4 targets and an help within the title recreation (a 6-2 win over BU), sophomore Cutter Gauthier had three targets and 4 assists over the 2 video games at TD Backyard and freshman Gabe Perreault, who missed 5 video games with a hand harm, returned this weekend and is driving an 18-game level streak.
No. 2 Wisconsin (26-11-2)
How did Badgers get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 8
NCAA historical past: Wisconsin’s résumé contains six nationwide titles, 12 Frozen Fours and 27 NCAA appearances. The Badgers are within the area for the primary time since 2021.
Sizzling or not? Wisconsin, the No. 2 seed within the Massive Ten match, was upset within the first spherical, dropping two of three to last-place Ohio State. The Badgers additionally misplaced a pair to the Buckeyes in February. Wisconsin did put up a 4-1 win over Massive Ten champ Michigan State to shut the common season.
No. 3 Quinnipiac (26-9-2)
How did Bobcats get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 9
NCAA historical past: After beating Minnesota for his or her first nationwide title, the defending champs are within the NCAA match for the fourth straight season and fifth time in six years. The Bobcats have superior to the Frozen 4 thrice in 9 NCAA appearances.
Sizzling or not? Quinnipiac was shut out by St. Lawrence within the ECAC semifinals, 3-0. The Bobcats had gained 11 of 13 previous to that, nevertheless, permitting 23 complete targets in that span.
No. 4 Michigan Tech (19-14-6)
How did Huskies get right here: CCHA champion
PairWise rating: 32
NCAA historical past: Michigan Tech is within the area of 16 for the third straight yr and is making its sixteenth NCAA look general. The Huskies are 0-5 with two additional time losses of their 5 match video games since 2015.
Sizzling or not? Michigan Tech, which snapped Bemidji State’s 11-game successful streak with its 2-1 CCHA championship recreation win, has gained 5 in a row and 7 of its final eight. Senior goalie Blake Pietila has yielded not more than two targets in eight of his final 10 video games.
Sioux Falls Regional
No. 1 Boston College (26-9-2)
How did Terriers get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 2
NCAA historical past: The Terriers have made 38 NCAA appearances (third all time) and have been to the Frozen 4 23 instances, together with final season after they misplaced to Minnesota within the semifinals. BU has gained 5 nationwide titles, the final in 2009.
Sizzling or not? Previous to their loss to BC within the Hockey East title recreation, the Terriers had gained seven straight, averaging 5 targets per recreation. Freshman phenom Macklin Celebrini has eight targets in his final seven video games and 31 on the season. Sophomore defenseman Lane Hutson has 94 profession factors (28 targets, 66 assists) in 74 video games.
No. 2 Minnesota (22-10-5)
How did Golden Gophers get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 7
NCAA historical past: Minnesota has performed a document 102 NCAA match video games in 40 appearances, which is tied with Michigan for probably the most of all time. The Gophers have been to 23 Frozen Fours, together with the final two, and have gained 5 nationwide championships, their final in 2003.
Sizzling or not? Regardless of a pair of tight, one-goal losses to Michigan, together with one within the Massive Ten semifinals, the Gophers closed the season robust, going 13-4-1 since Jan. 8. That included a break up at Massive Ten champ Michigan State. Jaxon Nelson has scored half of his 16 targets on the season within the final six video games.
No. 3 Omaha (23-12-4)
How did Mavericks get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 11
NCAA historical past: Omaha has made 4 NCAA appearances, the final in 2021, with one journey to the Frozen 4 (2015).
Sizzling or not? After dropping three straight in late January, Omaha went on a severe heater, successful 14 of 16 video games to surge up the PairWise rankings. The run included three March wins over North Dakota, which was a top-four crew within the nation earlier than operating into the Mavericks.
No. 4 RIT (27-10-2)
How did Tigers get right here: Atlantic champion
PairWise rating: 21
NCAA historical past: RIT is within the NCAA area for the fourth time since shifting as much as Division I in 2005 and the primary time since 2016.
Sizzling or not? The highest seed within the Atlantic match, RIT outscored its opponents 26-6 over 5 video games. Graduate pupil Elijah Gonsalves had 10 factors within the match, together with two targets and two assists within the championship recreation win over AIC. Sophomore Tommy Scarfone had a .954 save proportion in internet for the Tigers.
Springfield Regional
No. 1 Denver (28-9-3)
How did Pioneers get right here: NCHC champion
PairWise rating: 3
NCAA historical past: The 2022 champ, Denver has 9 nationwide titles, which is tied with Michigan for probably the most of all time. The Pioneers have performed in 14 of the previous 15 NCAA tournaments (lacking solely in 2021) and have made 32 appearances general.
Sizzling or not? Denver is driving a season-high five-game successful streak and is 11-2-1 for the reason that begin of February. The high-flying Pioneers, the highest scoring crew within the nation, have at the very least three targets every of their final 12 video games. Freshman Zeev Buium leads all defensemen with 48 factors.
No. 2 Maine (23-11-2)
How did Black Bears get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 5
NCAA historical past: The Black Bears have made 18 NCAA appearances, however that is their first time within the area since 2012. Maine has gained two nationwide championships, in 1999 and 1993.
Sizzling or not? After driving excessive many of the season, Maine hit a little bit of a late skid however closed with a sweep of UMass and a 5-0 win over rival New Hampshire within the Hockey East playoffs earlier than falling to BU within the semifinals. Regardless of dropping, 4-1, the Black Bears outshot the Terriers, 33-18. Freshmen brothers Josh (45 factors) and Bradly (46) Nadeau had 4 factors every within the win over UNH.
No. 3 Cornell (21-6-6)
How did Massive Pink get right here: ECAC champion
PairWise rating: 12
NCAA historical past: Cornell is making its twenty fourth NCAA look and its second in a row. The Massive Pink performed in three straight match from 2016-19 and certified in 2020 (canceled as a result of COVID). Final yr, Cornell shut out Denver, then the defending nationwide champ, earlier than dropping 2-1 to BU within the regional finals.
Sizzling or not? The Massive Pink have gained 5 in a row, their third five-game successful streak for the reason that begin of 2024. Since Jan. 1, junior goaltender Ian Shane has a 15-2-3 document with a 1.62 goals-against common and a .925 save proportion.
No. 4 UMass (20-13-3)
How did Minutemen get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 14
NCAA historical past: In 4 NCAA appearances, the Minutemen are 8-3, with their .727 successful proportion one of the best ever. UMass, the 2021 nationwide champ, had made three straight tournaments earlier than lacking out in 2023.
Sizzling or not? The Minutemen made the match by the pores and skin of their enamel after dropping a pair at Maine to finish the common season and getting drubbed by BC, 8-1, within the Hockey East semifinals. In between, there was a quarterfinal win over Windfall that received them within the area. Defenseman Ryan Ufko, a finalist for convention participant of the yr, had the game-winning purpose in opposition to Windfall.
Maryland Heights Regional
No. 1 Michigan State (24-9-3)
How did Spartans get right here: Massive Ten champion
PairWise rating: 4
NCAA historical past: A daily participant underneath Ron Mason within the Nineteen Eighties and ’90s, Michigan State has made 27 NCAA appearances, however none since 2012. The Spartans final made it to the Frozen 4 in 2009, after they gained their third nationwide championship.
Sizzling or not? With freshman Patrick Geary’s additional time purpose, Michigan State claimed its first Massive Ten championship, 5-4 over Michigan. The Spartans have gained seven of their final 9 video games and have 4 straight wins over archrival Michigan for the primary time since 1997-98.
No. 2 North Dakota (26-11-2)
How did Combating Hawks get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 6
NCAA historical past: North Dakota has gained eight nationwide titles (third all time), the final in 2016, which was coach Brad Berry’s first season in Grand Forks. The Combating Hawks are 53-28 in 34 NCAA appearances; their .654 successful proportion is one of the best amongst faculties with 50 or extra match video games.
Sizzling or not? NoDak is underneath .500 over its final 9 video games (4-5) with three losses to Omaha and two to Colorado Faculty. Nonetheless, they gained the season collection in opposition to Denver, 3-1, with the loss in additional time, and have a win over BU on their résumé. Jackson Blake reached 100 profession factors (in his 78th recreation) with two assists in an NCHC semifinal loss to Omaha, turning into the primary NoDak sophomore to try this since Zach Parise in 2004.
No. 3 Michigan (21-14-3)
How did Wolverines get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 10
NCAA historical past: Regardless of being probably the most embellished program in faculty hockey historical past — 9 nationwide titles (tied with Denver), 40 NCAA appearances (tied with Minnesota) and 27 Frozen Fours — Michigan has not gained all of it since 1998. The Wolverines misplaced within the nationwide semifinals the final two years.
Sizzling or not? Michigan discovered some magic late within the season, successful six of seven, with 5 of the wins by one purpose, earlier than falling to Michigan State in OT within the Massive Ten championship recreation. Rutger McGroarty, who leads the Wolverines with 52 factors, is on an eight-game scoring streak (14 factors).
No. 4 Western Michigan (21-15-1)
How did Broncos get right here: At-large bid
PairWise rating: 13
NCAA historical past: Western Michigan is within the NCAA area for the third straight yr, a primary in program historical past. The Mustangs have gained only one recreation in eight earlier appearances, beating Northeastern in additional time in 2022.
Sizzling or not? Whereas the Broncos went 6-9 to shut the season within the rugged NCHC, three of these losses had been in additional time they usually posted wins over Denver and Omaha throughout that stretch. Sam Colangelo, who’s tied with Dylan Wendt with a team-high 23 targets, had a hat trick in WMU’s playoff win over St. Cloud State.