Northeast Regional
Friday’s schedule: (1) Boston University vs. (4) Yale, 2 p.m. EDT, ESPNU; (2) Minnesota-Duluth vs. (3) Minnesota, 5:30 p.m., ESPNU.
Saturday’s schedule: Semifinal winners, 5:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN2.
Boston University
Record: 25-7-5 (14-5-3 Hockey East, first place)
How they qualified: Hockey East champions
Last appearance: 2012
Championships: 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009
Player to watch for: Jack Eichel (36 GP, 24-42–66)
Overview: Boasting the nations leading scorer in Eichel, the Terriers have the offense to go all the way. Which will be interesting to see them match up against the best defense in the country in Yale. Eichel is the consensus contender for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft with Connor McDavid. If you haven’t seen him play yet, set your DVR for Friday’s game. Can’t also forget about Evan Rodrigues, who is tied for second in the NCAA in points with 57.
Yale University
Record: 18-9-5 (12-6-4 ECAC Hockey, third place)
How they qualified: At-large
Last appearance: 2013
Championship: 2013
Player to watch for: Alex Lyon (31GP, 17-9-5, 1.58 GAA, .939 sv%, 7 SO)
Overview: For Yale to upset Boston University, they’ll need a huge game from Lyon. The nations leader in shutouts, goals against average, shutouts, and save percentage, he’s the backbone of the team along with their defensive unit. The Bulldogs have the best team defense and the second-best penalty kill unit in the nation. Their PK against BU’s second-best power play unit will be a battle of wills. Where the Bulldogs could fall is their 39th ranked offense, the worse among teams who are in the tournament.
University of Minnesota Duluth
Record: 20-15-3 (12-9-3-0 NCHC, third place)
How they qualified: At-large
Last appearance: 2012
Championship: 2011
Player to watch for: Dominic Toninato (32 GP, 16-9–25)
Overview: They have a young squad, featuring 15 freshmen and sophomores compared to three seniors. The young guns started great during the early part of the season but they’ve faulted over the last month. They had one of the best non-conference records of anybody, which is a large part in why they received a bid to the tournament. They have a chance to beat Minnesota as they’ve beaten three of four times this season but making it four of five will be a tough task.
University of Minnesota
Record: 23-12-3 (14-5-3-0 Big Ten, first place)
How they qualified: Big Ten champions
Last appearance: 2014
Championships: 1974, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2003
Player to watch for: Travis Boyd (31 GP, 21-19–40)
Overview: The Gophers season has been a roller coaster. They started and ended the season winning but the period around the holidays was the down point of their season. What lies ahead of them is the team that knocked them off the No. 1 spot in the polls as well as outside the polls altogether on two different occasions. Should they get past Duluth, they have as good of a chance of anyone of getting to Boston.
Last Words: This regional has history and experience winning national championships. Three of the four teams have been to the national championship game in the last four seasons. But you don’t have to go that much further back (2009) for the last time Boston University won a title. The Terriers have a complete package, balanced scoring that scores in bunches to go along with a solid defense and goaltending. Most of Minnesota’s players have NCAA tournament experience, but let’s see if they can advance out of a regional outside of St. Paul. Minnesota- Duluth got in due to a strong non-conference record (including a 3-1 mark against Minnesota) but they’ve been struggling the last month or so, winning one of their last seven games. “Defense wins championships” favors Yale but they’re 0-8 this season when allowing three or more goals.
Prediction: Minnesota over Boston University
