Frozen Four field set: BU, North Dakota, Nebraska-Omaha, Providence
The NCAA’s Frozen Four field is set is ready after the Midwestern and Eastern regional finals wrapped up on Sunday.
The University of Nebraska-Omaha swept past the Rochester Institute of Technology with a 4-0 win in the Midwest. Goalie Ryan Massa was the big winner with 40 saves against RIT, and 73 saves overall in the Midwest Regional giving the Mavericks their first-ever Frozen Four berth. They'll face East winner Providence, which made its first final weekend in 30 years after defeating Denver University 4-1. The game against Denver was entirely won on power play and empty net goals.
College players to watch on the road to the NCAA's Frozen Four
The other big matchup will be top-seeded and third-ranked Boston University versus second-ranked University of North Dakota. The Terriers and North Dakota are Frozen Four veterans, but this matchup is a mush-watch, even for non-college hockey fans, for a chance to see BU freshman forward and Hobey Baker Award favorite Jack Eichel at least one more time before he’s taken in the NHL draft. BU also has the advantage of four 20-goal scorers on its team.
The semifinals will be contested on April 9, and the championship on April 11 in Boston.
--Anna Gallegos