It’s down to the Frozen Four, and it is a great field being hosted by Wisconsin–Stevens Point this weekend. Last week saw some terrific hockey setting up a great final weekend. Any of these four teams could win this thing, so picks come with peril. Here are the picks in the semifinals. Tim leveled the picks with Brian last week at 5-3-0 (.625) for the tournament to date.
Friday, March 22
No. 3 Norwich at No. 2 Geneseo
Tim: This should be a great matchup with both teams riding long unbeaten streaks and playing their best hockey of the season. The Knights like to play fast in all three zones, so Norwich will need to defuse that and make them uncomfortable in front of Devin McDonald. This game is likely to come down to special teams, but neither team is likely to take many penalties. It will just take one for the Knights. Geneseo 2-1
Brian: Norwich is unbeaten in its last 18. Geneseo hasn’t lost in its last 23 games. Something has to give Friday. These two teams are meeting for just the second time. The Cadets are led by Felix Brassard, who has scored 11 goals and dished out 17 assists. Brett Ouderkirk has come through with 14 goals and 12 assists. The Knights have the nation’s points leader in Andrew Romano, who has tallied 10 goals and 42 assists. Conlan Keenan has punched in 23 goals to go along with 25 assists. Geneseo also has a goalie in Devin McDonald who has 23 wins and has recorded 12 shutouts. The odds favor Geneseo, but I’m calling an upset here. Norwich 3-2
No. 7 Hobart at No. 1 Wisconsin–Stevens Point
Tim: The Pointers have earned the top seed by way of their unbeaten record on the season. Playing at home will add some pressure, but also some level of normalcy, which should help with the focus on the ice. Hobart has been tough and disciplined all season and will need to do more of that if they want to stay close here. The home team takes it, but barely, on a special teams’ goal. Wisconsin–Stevens Point 3-2
Brian: The Pointers are unbeaten and the No. 1 team in the nation and have the luxury of playing the Frozen Four at home. They are coming off a huge 3-0 win over reigning national champ St. Norbert and have plenty of momentum on their side. The Pointers have five players with 20 or more points, including Tanner Karty, who has 11 goals and 24 assists. He has tallied at least one point in his last nine games. Connor Ryckman has been solid in goal, winning 24 games, the most in program history. He owns a 1.37 goals-against average. Hobart has won 21 games on the season and has one of the better offenses in the country. The Statesmen are led by Jonas Toupal, who has tallied 12 goals and 14 assists. Liam Lascelle is in goal for Hobart and has won 10 games this season. He sports a 1.64 GAA. Everyone is good at this point, but Wis.-Stevens Point has the advantage playing at home and is motivated to make up for falling short of a title last year. Wisconsin-Stevens Point 5-3
