NCAA Frozen Four 2015: Schedule, Bracket, Live Stream Info and Predictions
NCAA's Frozen Four returns to Boston for the 2015 iteration.
While March and early April focus on a different kind of bracket madness, hockey's tournament has been just as exciting so far. Thrilling finishes, jaw-dropping upsets such as Minnesota-Duluth over Minnesota and more are once again a staple of the bracket on ice.
Collegiate hockey's marquee event steps into the limelight this week with an assembly of four finalists ranging from the powerful to the surprising.
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Before things get underway Thursday, let's look at everything fans should know about the semifinals.
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
When: April 9-11
Watch: ESPN and ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Bracket: Interactive Bracket via NCAA.com
| April 9 | 5 p.m. | Omaha vs. Providence | ESPN 2 | Providence |
| April 9 | 8:30 p.m. | Boston vs. North Dakota | ESPN 2 | Boston |
| April 11 | 7:30 p.m. | National Championship | ESPN | Boston |
Frozen Four Breakdown
One of the above matchups is not like the other.
The Omaha-Providence duel is a testament to the anything-can-happen nature of the collegiate bracket. For the former, out of the NCHC, this is the program's first Frozen Four appearance. The latter, out of the Hockey East, makes its first appearance since 1985.
The Friars and coach Nate Leaman are the bigger name for obvious reasons, but even more so after upsetting No. 4 Miami (Ohio) 7-5 in the first round.
Though the score against those Redhawks doesn't suggest it, the Friars live and die by strong defense, led by goaltender Jon Gillies, who boasts a 2.01 goals-against average.
Gillies and his surrounding speedy defensive pieces have their work cut out for them against the offensive-minded Mavericks, though, as Leaman admits.
“I don’t think the game [against Omaha] is going to be too much different from Miami,” said Leaman, per Jim Connelly of USCHO.com. “[Omaha] has a great set of forwards that we have to defend well against.”
It shouldn't be a shock to see Omaha coach Dean Blais back in the Frozen Four after a dominant run with North Dakota some time ago. This time, Jake Guentzel (25 assists) and Austin Ortega (20 goals) lead his attack.
As Scott McLaughlin of WEEI points out, the former ranks among the best in the nation this year:
Altogether, the Mavericks posted eight goals in the regional rounds and have the firepower to move past a gritty Omaha team if they remain in current form.
The other matchup is the exact opposite—power vs. power.
Say hello yet again to Boston University, making its 22nd appearance in the Frozen Four after running up a 27-7-5 record this season. The Terriers are perhaps the most explosive team left standing, in large part thanks to Jack Eichel, mentioned in the tweet above.
Sports Illustrated's Greg A. Bedard says the explosive scorer is a good enough reason to catch the Frozen Four:
It's going to take quite a lot to overcome another regular, though. North Dakota makes its 21st appearance and the third in five years, this year running up a 29-9-3 mark and winning the NCHC title in the process.
Netminder Zane McIntyre, a Boston Bruins prospect and Hobey Baker Award finalist, is the name to watch for North Dakota, as his .929 save percentage will be put to the test against Eichel and Co. Thursday.
As Bruce LeVine of Dallas Stars radio broadcasts illustrates, the showdown between powerhouses sets up quite the interesting head-to-head collision between the two stars:
No matter how Thursday's action unfolds, the semifinals will set up a David-Goliath title game like only a bracket can.
In this particular case, the journey and the end result are worth serious attention and consideration, as this year's Frozen Four is the best parity-laden offering in quite some time.
Stats via NCAA.com.
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