The Frozen Four Heats Up in Detroit

While the sun has begun to shine and baseball season is underway, there’s still a matter of settling a few scores on the ice. This week in Detroit, those scores will be settled in the NCAA Frozen Four at Ford Field. 

At 5 p.m. tonight, the shocking RIT Tigers make their first Frozen Four appearance in their first ever tournament, where they take on the Wisconsin Badgers, making their first Frozen Four appearance since they won the National Championship in 2006. 

At 8:30 p.m., after missing out last year, the Boston College Eagles are back making their fourth trip in five years to college hockey’s own version of the Final Four, while the Miami (Ohio) RiverHawks, ranked No. 1 in the country, try to avenge last year’s devastating defeat. 

All four teams have a solid chance to win. In the first semifinal, the West Regional's top seed, Wisconsin, faces RIT, a four-seed that snuck by both Denver and New Hampshire to make it to this point.

The Badgers feature a highly potent offense, which includes senior forwards Blake Geoffrion and Michael Davies. Wisconsin is no stranger to Final Fours (9), but has also won it twice in Detroit, winning in both 1977 and 1990.

RIT, however, is one of the hottest teams in the country, winning 12 straight. In fact, the Tigers haven’t lost in over two months, last losing on February 6. Over that span, the Tigers, led by senior goaltender Jared DeMichael (27-9-1, 1.98 GAA, .924 SV percent), have allowed a mere 16 goals. This game will be Wisconsin’s strong offense against the tough defense and goaltending of RIT.

The second semifinal game could turn out to be the college hockey game of the year.  Boston College, the top seed from the Northeast Regional, will take on the top seed from the Midwest Regional, the Miami RedHawks.

The RedHawks are no stranger to close games, beating Alabama-Huntsville by a goal and Michigan in overtime to get Back to the Frozen Four. They also have a chip on their shoulder, as they have been eliminated by Boston College in three tournaments in the last four years. When they finally broke into the title game last year, they lost a heartbreaker to BU, blowing a two goal lead in the last minute. 

This game will be another offense vs. defense battle. Jerry York's Eagles led by Cam Atkinson, Joe Whitney and Brian Gibbons team, which have scored 16 goals in their last three tournament games, will have to contend with the toughest defense in the country, statistically.

The RedHawks give up only 1.84 goals per game. Both Miami goaltenders rank 1-2 in the nation in GAA. Miami wants to prove that this year, unlike the last four, they can get past the Hockey East barrier that seems to be their kryptonite.

Will we see offense in the championship game on Saturday (BC vs. Wisconsin) defense (RIT vs. Miami (OH)) or some combination of both?  Tune in tonight to check it out.

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