Big Ten Men's Hockey Tournament 2015: Dates, Schedule, Matchups and More
The Big Ten is arguably the most talent-rich and competitive conference in men's college hockey, which is why there is so much excitement surrounding the Big Ten tournament to determine the automatic qualifier into the 2015 NCAA tournament.
Four of the six teams involved posted winning records both in the Big Ten and overall during the regular season, which certainly speaks to the parity that is present.
With every team boasting NHL draftees as well, high-level hockey is essentially guaranteed.
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Here is all the information you need to know in order to follow the Big Ten tournament, including further analysis regarding the top contenders.
Where: Joe Louis Arena in Detroit
When: Thursday, March 19 through Saturday, March 21
Watch: Big Ten Network
Big Ten Tournament Schedule
| Thursday, March 19 | 4:30 p.m. | Quarterfinals | No. 4 Penn State | No. 5 Ohio State | Big Ten Network |
| Thursday, March 19 | 8 p.m. | Quarterfinals | No. 3 Michigan | No. 6 Wisconsin | Big Ten Network |
| Friday, March 20 | 4:30 p.m. | Semifinals | No. 1 Minnesota | Penn State or Ohio State | Big Ten Network |
| Friday, March 20 | 8 p.m. | Semifinals | No. 2 Michigan State | Michigan or Wisconsin | Big Ten Network |
| Saturday, March 21 | 8 p.m. | Championship | TBD | TBD | Big Ten Network |
Teams to Watch
Minnesota
After losing to Union College in the national championship game last season, there is no question that Minnesota will enter the Big Ten tournament with a chip on its shoulder as it looks to get back in position to win it all.
The Golden Gophers were the Big Ten champions during the regular season with a conference record of 12-5-3.
Minnesota has won four consecutive regular-season conference titles, which is a significant accomplishment that isn't lost on senior forward Kyle Rau, according to Eric Vegoe of GopherPuckLive.com:
Rau has been a huge part of Minnesota's success this season and over the course of his collegiate career. The Florida Panthers draft pick is second on the team in scoring with 39 points in 36 points, which is eclipsed only by defenseman Mike Reilly and his 42 points.
Reilly may be the biggest weapon in the Big Ten due to his ability to jump into the play offensively from the blue line.
At the same time, he prides himself on being able to play an all-around game and contribute in every facet, per Ben Gotz of The Minnesota Daily.
"If there's one thing I've wanted to do ever since coming in here, it's being able to play at both ends," Reilly said. "I've gotten a lot better at that. I think I'm a guy who can play at the end of the game when we're up a goal, and (associate head) coach (Mike) Guentzel has trust in me like that."
Minnesota enters the tournament as the favorite after winning the regular-season title and due to the fact that it is loaded with NHL talent.
The Gophers only need to win two games after receiving a bye to the semifinals, and while anything can happen in a single-game situation, it is tough not to like Minnesota's chances.
Michigan State
Michigan State fell just short of securing the Big Ten regular-season title, but the upstart Spartans are a force to be reckoned with in the tourney due to their ability to steal any game regardless of how well or poorly their skaters perform.
That is because Michigan State has the benefit of junior goaltender Jake Hildebrand manning the crease.
Hildebrand was easily the best goalie in the Big Ten this year with a 2.12 goals-against average, .930 save percentage and six shutouts. By virtue of those eye-popping numbers, he was named the Big Ten Player of the Year, according to MSU Hockey on Twitter:
Hildebrand's contributions have been huge as the Spartans ranked second-last in scoring during Big Ten play with just 47 goals. They yielded a conference-low 42 goals, though, which is what allowed them to secure the No. 2 seed.
Michigan State controlled its own destiny for the regular-season title, but a loss to Michigan caused it to settle for second.
Even so, it is a massive accomplishment considering how poorly Sparty started the campaign, per Kevin Gehl of WLNS-TV:
There is no question that Michigan State is a gritty, hard-nosed team, and those are qualities that should help them in a short tournament. The team with the best goalie is often capable of beating the better overall team, so the Spartans can certainly hang in there.
Michigan State needs to score at some point, though, and its lack of offensive contributors could prevent it from earning the Big Ten's automatic bid.
Michigan
Although Michigan missed out on a bye to the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament, there is no question that the Wolverines have enough firepower to go all the way to the NCAA tourney.
Michigan led the Big Ten with 88 goals this season, and perhaps the biggest reason for that was the synergy between senior forward Zach Hyman and freshman forward Dylan Larkin. Hyman led the Big Ten in scoring with 49 points, while his linemate wasn't far behind at 43.
According to Jeremy Summitt of The Michigan Daily, Hyman believes that his chemistry with Larkin off the ice has manifested itself in their play as well.
"We've been together since the start of the year, so every game we've gotten better," Hyman said. "We're good friends off the ice, so there's chemistry there, and it just carries over onto the ice."
Larkin was a first-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings last season, and there has been essentially no learning curve, as he is already among the Big Ten's elite players.
That was the case for forward and Buffalo Sabres draftee J.T. Compher as a freshman last season as well. Compher endured a bit of a sophomore slump that resulted in him finishing with only 23 points, but he seems to have turned the corner lately.
Per Michigan Hockey on Twitter, head coach Red Berenson is just now realizing how important Compher is to the Wolverines' success when he is on his game:
Michigan as a whole looks as though it is truly hitting its stride right now, and that is a scary thought for the rest of the Big Ten.
A win over last-place Wisconsin in the quarters would set up a massive matchup with Michigan State in Detroit in the semis. The atmosphere would be insane for that contest, and if the Wolverines can get through that, then they would have a legitimate shot to beat Minnesota for the title due to their dynamism up front.
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