Frozen Four 2015: TV Schedule and Full Preview for Championship Clash

Providence and Boston University will take the ice to conclude a thrilling 2015 NCAA Frozen Four.

Microscopic compared to college basketball's colossal postseason bracket, college hockey's 16-team field only leaves room for the nation's best schools. As Providence scored 15 goals in three games, Boston University rode star Jack Eichel to the championship stage.

New England will watch with pride as two local squads skate for supremacy in Boston's TD Garden. Despite taking different paths to the final, the two sides—who split their two season matchups—look evenly matched entering Saturday's showdown.

Frozen Four Final: Providence vs. Boston University

When: Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: TD Garden, Boston, Mass.

TV: ESPN 

Preview

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Fans of NHL's worst teams will want to pay close attention to Eichel, a projected top draft pick who could sway a franchise's fortunes.

The 18-year-old freshman leads all Division I players with 44 assists and 70 points, propelling the Terriers to a nation-best 3.88 goals per contest. Teammate Evan Rodrigues places second in both categories (40 assists and 61 points).

As noted by ESPN's John Buccigross, Eichel is also peaking at the right time:

One of those goals from BU's 5-3 semifinal victory over No. 2 North Dakota came off an incredible no-look backhand. The Cauldron's CJ Fogler offered footage of the highlight play:

"

GIF: You can't give Jack Eichel an entire open net pic.twitter.com/qzcuSrZUGX

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) April 10, 2015"

Primed for the grand stage, Eichel first has his eyes set on capturing a championship for the Terriers. As he explained in an Associated Press report, via USA Today, a runner-up finish won't suffice:

"

One more. We wanted to be in this position at the beginning of the year. We've made a lot of sacrifices. The guys in this room, I can't say enough about them. We've worked so hard to get in this position. But like our coach said, you don't want to tell somebody someday that you made it to the Frozen Four, you want to tell them you won it.

"

The Terriers will lean on their star's uncanny passing and playmaking prowess to fry the Friars, who barely made the NCAA tournament. Possessing a 22-13-2 record, they narrowly received admission before igniting their offensive tear.

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Coach Nate Leaman discussed their perilous road to the championship, via ESPN.com:

"

I think it talks about the parity in college hockey. We were a hundredth's of a point away of not making it to the tournament and we felt like we had as great season. It used to be if you could get 20 wins, you were a lock into getting into the tournament. This year, we had 22 and we were in a battle with Bowling Green (for the last spot).

"

They've taken full advantage of the opportunity, finding the net seven times against No. 4 Miami (Ohio) before delivering two consecutive 4-1 victories.

Without the luxury of a superstar, Nick Saracino leads a balanced offense with 14 goals and 38 points. Providence, however, wields an advantage in goalie Jon Gillies, who boasts a 93.0 save percentage while allowing 1.98 goals per game. Overall, the school rates fourth with 2.02 goals surrendered per game, not that Boston University falls far behind with 2.27. 

Sustaining its enhanced tournament production will prove vital against BU's prolific top unit. Providence will likely at least need another four goals to cap off its incredible run.