The results are in, and three staffers have advanced to the finals of this year’s “Meet The Frauds” picks competition.
The standings after the regionals:
Paula C. Weston: 12-0
Dave Hendrickson: 10-2
Scott Brown: 10-2
Jayson Moy/Becky Blaeser: 10-2
Geof F. Morris: 10-2
Todd D. Milewski: 9-3
Jim Connelly: 9-3
Mike Volonnino: 9-3
Weston, with the impressive perfect record, leads the pack to advance, while Hendrickson and Brown also move on based on the total-goals tiebreaker.
Those three now pick the Frozen Four.
Paula C. Weston, CCHA Correspondent
New Hampshire vs. Cornell
UNH is speedier, and that’s what I’m going with.
New Hampshire 3, Cornell 2
Minnesota vs. Michigan
Why do I like Michigan? Something about the Wolverines’ ability to get the job done.
Michigan 4, Minnesota 3
Championship
I like New Hampshire, very much.
New Hampshire 5, Michigan 3
Dave Hendrickson, Hockey East Correspondent
New Hampshire vs. Cornell
It’s a shame that these teams aren’t crossing over to play Western opponents in the semifinals, because then I think you’d see this matchup in the championship game. Of the four teams, these two have by far the best two goaltenders, the best two team defenses and by a vast margin the most key veterans.
Until Lanny Gare’s injury, UNH was the one team without a weakness: Cornell hasn’t been to a Frozen Four in a couple decades, Minnesota’s goaltending is a major question and Michigan is, well, a number three seed that got out of the regional because of you-know-what (a four-letter word that begins with “Y” and rhymes with host).
While Gare’s injury has leveled the playing field, I thought in October that UNH entered this season as the nation’s number-one team and I think that’s how they’ll end it.
New Hampshire 1, Cornell 0 (2ot)
Minnesota vs. Michigan
I’m usually loath to pick a team with dubious goaltending, but I think the Golden Gophers will survive that potential Achilles’ heel for one more game. They’re simply that much better outside of the crease than Michigan and it’s not as though freshman goaltenders (Michigan’s Al Montoya) as a general rule give you warm and fuzzy feelings either.
Besides, you’ve got to lean toward any team that has two defensemen (Keith Ballard and Paul Martin) combine for 80 points.
Minnesota 5, Michigan 3
Championship
Which team will have more pressure on it? Minnesota seeking to become the first back-to-back winner of an NCAA championship since Boston University in 1972? Or New Hampshire looking for its first title?
While there could be some sloppy moments in the first period while both squads get the jitters out, I like the game to finish with UNH standing not only for University of New Hampshire, but also University with NCAA Hardware.
New Hampshire 3, Minnesota 1
Scott Brown, Editor-in-Chief
New Hampshire vs. Cornell
Tough call between similar teams. Two strong defenses, two competent offenses. If you believe the numbers, Cornell has a slight edge on the blue line, UNH up front. That having been said, Cornell seems to have the motivational edge — no slight to the Wildcats intended, but the Big Red look like a team with a purpose.
Cornell 2, New Hampshire 1
Minnesota vs. Michigan
Young squads take the spotlight in semifinal number two. Michigan wonders what might have been if so many underclassmen hadn’t left early, while Minnesota is executing a planned rebuild around the freshman class. Wolverine goaltender Al Montoya has been stellar, but is still a rookie in the Frozen Four; Minnesota has Grant Potulny’s leadership and postseason magic.
Minnesota 4, Michigan 3
Championship
There’s no compelling reason for this pick, apart perhaps from playoff experience. Call it a hunch.
Minnesota 3, Cornell 2
