{"id":2887,"date":"2018-04-05T08:49:10","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T13:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/frozen-four\/?p=2887"},"modified":"2020-08-24T14:45:34","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T19:45:34","slug":"picking-the-2018-ncaa-mens-frozen-four-semifinals-how-our-writers-see-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-admin.uscho.com\/2018\/04\/05\/picking-the-2018-ncaa-mens-frozen-four-semifinals-how-our-writers-see-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Picking the 2018 NCAA men’s Frozen Four semifinals: How our writers see it"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
Xcel Energy Center hosts the Frozen Four for the third time (photo: Jim Rosvold).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here’s how members of the USCHO staff see Thursday’s 2018 NCAA men’s Frozen Four semifinals shaping up:<\/p>\n

Minnesota Duluth vs. Ohio State, 5 p.m. CDT<\/h4>\n

Drew Claussen:<\/b> The Bulldogs should have the crowd on their side; I’ll say that’s enough to pick up a close victory. Minnesota Duluth 3-2<\/p>\n

Jim Connelly:<\/b> For some reason, maybe it was the 1-in-64 chance of getting into the tournament, making it by .0001 percentage points or advancing to the Frozen Four after falling being 2-0 in their opening game of the regional, but I feel like Minnesota Duluth is that team of destiny. Minnesota Duluth 3-2<\/p>\n

Nathan Fournier:<\/b> The experience of last season’s Frozen Four and their strong defense should cement another title appearance. Minnesota Duluth 4-2<\/p>\n

Jack Hittinger:<\/b> In a rematch of last year’s NCAA West Regional quarterfinal game, Ohio State will be motivated to erase that history. Which means it will be a close game. But I think UMD will advance playing on the ice in St. Paul. Minnesota Duluth 4-3<\/p>\n

Candace Horgan:<\/b> I’m going all in with Scott Sandelin and the NCHC. Minnesota Duluth 3-2<\/p>\n

Chris Lerch:<\/b> The “last team in” has seen a lot of success the past few years, and I’m looking for that to continue. Minnesota Duluth 2-1<\/p>\n

Nate Owen:<\/b> Both teams have good goaltending and a lot of scoring depth, but I think the Buckeyes have been a little more consistent in the last few weeks. Ohio State 4-2<\/p>\n

Matthew Semisch:<\/b> Ohio State is the real deal, but I have a feeling UMD will try to recreate some St. Paul magic. Minnesota Duluth 4-2<\/p>\n

Paula C. Weston:<\/b> I’ve been saying all season that Denver or the team that gets past Denver in the NCAA tournament will play for a national championship, and I’m sticking with that prediction. Ohio State 3-2<\/p>\n

Michigan vs. Notre Dame, 8:30 p.m. CDT<\/h4>\n

Drew Claussen:<\/b> Cale Morris is a hot goalie. Never bet against a hot goalie. Notre Dame 3-1<\/p>\n

Jim Connelly:<\/b> While Notre Dame might have the defense and goaltending, its inability to produce might be its Achilles’ heel if this becomes an up-and-down game. I’m going with the upset. Michigan 5-3.<\/p>\n

Nathan Fournier:<\/b> The Fighting Irish have the best goalie remaining in the tournament plus enough offense to get them to the title game. Notre Dame 3-1<\/p>\n

Jack Hittinger:<\/b> ND\/Michigan matchups are fun in any sport, but this one seems to pack even more punch this year. I think the Irish take it behind some solid goaltending to advance. Notre Dame 4-1<\/p>\n

Candace Horgan:<\/b> I don’t know too much about the Wolverines. Notre Dame has been atop the Big Ten all season, and I have to think there’s a reason for that. Notre Dame 4-2<\/p>\n

Chris Lerch:<\/b> I’m picking Notre Dame to earn some redemption after last year’s semifinal performance. Notre Dame 4-2<\/p>\n

Nate Owen:<\/b> The Fighting Irish seem to keep winning no matter the situation, including in the NCAA East Regional when goalie Cale Morris was good, but not great. Notre Dame 3-2<\/p>\n

Matthew Semisch:<\/b> Michigan has the best offense still in the tournament, and I think Notre Dame’s roll in one-goal games ends here. Michigan 3-1<\/p>\n

Paula C. Weston:<\/b> The Fighting Irish have won their last four games by a goal and twice in overtime. Regardless of who they play, the Irish find ways to win. Notre Dame 3-2<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Minnesota Duluth plays Ohio State, while Michigan plays Notre Dame in the national semifinals (photo: Jim Rosvold).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":120,"featured_media":95372,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1426],"tags":[919,924,929],"coauthors":[901],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPicking the 2018 NCAA men's Frozen Four semifinals: How our writers see it - College Hockey | USCHO.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Minnesota Duluth plays Ohio State, while Michigan plays Notre Dame in the national semifinals (photo: Jim Rosvold).\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.uscho.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2887\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Picking the 2018 NCAA men's Frozen Four semifinals: How our writers see it - 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