NCAA Frozen Four 2016: Schedule, Bracket, Odds, Live Stream Info and Predictions
Houston isn't the only setting for a Final Four this April. The NCAA men's hockey tournament began with 16 teams but is now down to its Frozen Four, and the latest round of action begins on Thursday night in Tampa, Florida.
Three traditional powers in collegiate hockey have a chance to further bolster their resumes, while another hopes to win its first-ever national title.
| No. 1 Quinnipiac | No. 3 North Dakota | |
| vs. | vs. | |
| Boston College | Denver |
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| Thursday, Apr. 7 | 5 p.m. | Quinnipiac vs. Boston College | Watch ESPN | QU 8/11 | BC 23/20 |
| Thursday, Apr. 7 | 8:30 p.m. | North Dakota vs. Denver | Watch ESPN | ND 8/13 | DU 27/20 |
Predictions
Quinnipiac vs. Boston College
Boston College has five national championships. Quinnipiac has only made one final, which it lost to Yale in 2013. But none of that will matter on Thursday night.
Quinnipiac is the No. 1 seed for a reason, having gone 31-3-7 this season.
It has one of the top point-getters in the country in forward Sam Anas, who recorded 24 goals and 26 assists for 50 points in 41 games this season.
He's a shifty goal scorer who has an arsenal of moves that can shake defenses out of their sweaters, as The Cauldron's CJ Fogler showed:
"That filthy goal from Sam Anas in widescreen, the chip pass off the boards springs him pic.twitter.com/4UIuXFVJAY
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) March 28, 2016"
While Anas carries the Quinnipiac offense, Michael Garteig has been a stalwart in net this season for the Bobcats, allowing just 1.83 goals per game to go along with a .926 save percentage.
He's no stranger to making a highlight-reel save, either, per Goalie Ways:
Garteig has even put up better numbers than Boston College's Thatcher Demko, a second-round selection of the Vancouver Canucks in 2014 and a current finalist for the Hobey Baker and Mike Richter awards.
The Bobcats have lost just once in their past 12 games, and I just can't see Boston College adding another loss in the Frozen Four.
Prediction: Quinnipiac defeats Boston College 5-2
North Dakota vs. Denver
North Dakota features a 2015 NHL draft pick in Brock Boeser, who was selected in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks and has the most points among any player in the Frozen Four this year with 54.
With a wicked wrister, Boeser is a sniper who is dangerous from all areas of the offensive zone. He's a player Denver will have to try and keep an eye on, though few teams have found a way to slow him down.
Considering Boeser is teamed up with Drake Caggiula, who added 21 goals this season, North Dakota's high-powered offense is going to be too much for Denver to stop.
If Denver does fall behind, it will have a difficult time trying to catch up, as Cam Johnson, a sophomore, has become one of the best goalies in the nation.
Johnson is second in the nation with a 1.67 goals against average and is tied for sixth with a .934 save percentage.
Prediction: North Dakota defeats Denver 6-4
Stats courtesy of USCHO.com
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