Come back each week for a preview of interesting NCAA games coming up and some thoughts on what happened in the previous week's action. Check out How to Watch for links to all today's games.
Northeastern vs. (13) Boston University
Hockey East Final
Saturday at 12:00 PM Eastern
If I were a betting person I might put $5 on this being a 4-0 game. These teams split a pair of games back in October, with each team winning one 4-0. Northeastern defeated BU for he Beanpot 4-0. BU took the last game 3-2 in OT.
Boston University has some unfinished business this season after letting the regular season championship slip through their fingers in the final weekend when they needed one point to wrap it up but were swept but Connecticut, who won the title instead. But I think an NCAA Tournament berth would be pretty good balm for the Terriers, who've been defying odds all season after being picked to finish in the middle of the pack in Hockey East.
They've been a bit of the poster children for "survive and advance," getting through their first two post season games in extra frames. I'd like to have seen more consistent play from them to show they can get the win here. Northeastern was inconsistent during the season and were the no. 5 seed in the Hockey East tournament, which means they've done nothing but upset higher seeds. Not quite as dramatic as BU's overtimes, but they've been strong late in games, which has carried them through as they come from behind.
The Huskies' rookie goalie Lisa Jönsson has been outstanding since she took over the starting role. Northeastern also has more experience in the postseason and has fought through a tournament like this from start to finish. I don't think it was a coincidence that the player that carried them through an upset of one-seed UConn was Skylar Irving. NU will be leaning on their veterans and that plus their stronger tournament games makes me think they have the edge here.
Mercyhurst vs. (8) Penn State
AHA Final
Saturday at 2:00 PM Eastern
Penn State's only conference loss this season came in the second to last weekend of the regular season - to Mercyhurst. The Lakers went to State College where PSU needed overtime to win the first game. Penn State won both games of the series in Erie in December, 4-2 and 3-2.
The Nittany Lions have played so well this season that the Pairwise says they are in the NCAA Tournament whether they win this game or not. That takes a ton of pressure off. Mercyhurst punches their ticket with a win and causes havoc among the rest of the tournament field if they get the autobid.
The Nittany Lions have the x-factor in Tessa Janecke. They have NCAA Tournament experience and feel like they can go further than the first round this time around. Winning here gives them confidence and momentum.
Mercyhurst's x-factor is that they have nothing to lose and I find that particularly at this time of year, there is little better than the freedom and controlled recklessness of playing for your life. The Lakers are the kind of team that feels like they can ride that line appropriately, take calculated risks and get the win.
(3) Minnesota vs. (1) Wisconsin
WCHA Final
Saturday at 2:00 PM Central
The Badgers swept the Gophers this season, winning a pair of games in Minneapolis in mid-October 5-0 and 4-3. Three weeks ago, they dominated at home, taking wins 8-2 and 6-1.
Minnesota is riding high after a massive, come-from-behind win over #2 Ohio State in the semifinals. They will not be happy about how dominant Wisconsin was in the regular season and a win in this game would make them the no. 3 seed, meaning they'd be in position to have to beat a lower seed instead of facing the no. 5 seed.
I think if the Gophers are going to win this game they are going to need scoring from their second and third lines. Both groups stepped up in the waning weeks of the regular season when opponents were doing a good job shutting down Abbey Murphy. In their perfect world, those lines and Murphy would both be able to be successful. It's unlikely a couple of goals will be sufficient against the Badgers.
For Wisconsin's part, they have to clean up a good bit from their semifinal, where they were lucky to not give up a game-tying goal during a sloppy third period. When this Badger team is on - as they were against Minnesota in that home series a few weeks ago - they are virtually unstoppable. But it's whether or not they can find that groove and all click at the same time that decides exactly how difficult they can be to beat.
It was a good sign for them that their defenders were so involved in their scoring. Their biggest asset is their depth and ability to score from anywhere, with anyone. They've been able to dig themselves out of holes, but it would bode well for them if they don't give up a goal in the opening 10 minutes of the game.
Games between these two are strategic, but chaotic. Neither team will be able to actually execute their full game plan. The result hinges on how well the teams adapt.
(5) Colgate vs. (3) Cornell
ECAC Final
Saturday at 3:30 PM Eastern
The teams split their season series, with each team winning on the road. Cornell played into a third overtime on Friday - more than 100 minutes of hockey. That probably negates any home ice advantage they might have had.
Colgate can be very fast in transition and would do well to use their speed and relative lack of fatigue to their advantage. They are very good on the power play and Cornell has to be conscious to not let their tiredness lead to sloppy play and penalties. The teams are pretty evenly matched in goals for and against, so giving up any advantage could have big consequences.
Cornell is stubborn and patient. They have won a few overtime and late games the last couple of weeks and what stands out is their lack of panic. They don't want this game to last any longer than it has to, but they're also able to let the game come to them, not force things and have the confidence to know they're talented enough to come through in the end. Having Goalie of the Year top-three finalist Annelies Bergmann in net definitely helps.
The Raiders will be looking to Kalty Kaltounková and Elyssa Biederman as their offensive spark plugs. The Big Red have to clog up the middle and not let Colgate pick up speed through the center of the ice. If the Raiders' second and third line are scoring, that bodes well for them. So much of their offense is driven by their top line, but if Cornell keeps them in check, Colgate has to have other players step up in order to win this game.
Should Colgate win, it would be their fifth-straight conference tournament championship, setting a new record.
Sacred Heart vs. LIU
NEWHA Final
Saturday at 7:00 PM Eastern
These two split a four game series this season, each winning a home game and an away game.
LIU has more experience playing in these do or die games with an NCAA berth on the line. How Sacred Heart handles the nerves and the pressure will play a big role in whether they can pull off the win.
SHU had a rough final few weeks of the season, dropping games to teams well below them in the standings. But they've been solid in the postseason, following up a gutsy 1-0 win over Assumption in the first round with a more resounding 6-2 victory. They're a really balanced team with scoring from all over the roster. That makes them harder to defend and forces LIU to really think about matchups.
The Sharks have had very good goaltending, but haven't been super prolific on offense. Both teams average just 2.1 goals per game, so strong defense and goaltending are going to be key here. With the teams so close, it feels like one mistake could be the difference between an NCAA Tournament bid and the season being over.
(Photo: Penn State Women's Hockey Twitter)
