East Regional Preview
NORTHEAST REGIONAL - Manchester
#1 Boston University Terriers
This might be Jack Eichel's team, but it's also Matt Grzelcyk's team and Matt O'Connor's team and a whole bunch of other players that are collectively leading the charge on their Road to the Garden that started over a year ago when the Terriers' season ended in the first round of the Hockey East Playoffs. Without question, Eichel (DE-2015) is a big reason for their turn around this year, but he's one of 11 freshmen on this team and all have contributed in addition to other key cogs, like Grzelcyk (BOS - missed last two months of last season with a shoulder injury), being healthy. They've won the Beanpot and the Hockey East Championship at the TD Garden within the past month and they're aiming to make it three-for-three with their sights set on a National Championship.
Strengths: Jack Eichel - Hockey East Rookie of the Year as well as Player of the Year and likely Hobey Baker winner with 66 points in 36 games to lead the country; Best offense in the country (3.79 goals/game); Second best Power Play (26% effective); Get better as the game goes on and usually dominate the third period; Matt O'Connor (UFA) with 2.12 GAA and .928 save percentage.
Weaknesses: Youth/inexperience as the youngest team in the country, but as head coach David Quinn says, "At this point in the year, we have no freshmen. They've all played a full season of college hockey. They know what they're doing by now."
#2 University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
The Bulldogs had a rough time navigating the challenging waters of the NCHC and finished the season in 5th place. They were eliminated from the playoffs in the opening round by Denver, but thanks to a very strong non-conference record that kept their Pairwise rating afloat, they were secure in a high seeding in the national tournament. The weekend off ended up a blessing in disguise as they were able to get everyone healthy and ready for the national tournament.
Strengths: Scoring by committee lead by Dominic Toninato (TOR) and Tony Cameranisi (TOR); Great coaching with an always solid game plan; Transition game that effectively utilizes and showcases their speed: Strong third periods;
Weaknesses: Special Teams, Sluggish starts
#3 University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
Despite winning the Big Ten Championship as well as the regular season, this year has been a bit of a disappointment for the Gophers in terms of where they expected to stack up in the national picture, but they know that once you're in, anything can happen and all of the goals they set out for themselves this season are still within reach.
Strengths: High-powered offense that runs deep and an outstanding power play; Offense from the defense in large part to the skills of Hobey Baker Finalist Mike Reilly (CBJ), who leads the team with 42 points, and Brady Skjei (NYR), who is so effective a creating separation and getting the puck up ice; Grit - Kyle Rau (FLA), Travis Boyd (WAS) and Hudson Fasching (BUF) are among the teams offensive leaders due to their willingness to get their nose dirty.
Weaknesses: Penalty Kill, Propensity to turn the puck over, Adam Wilcox (TBL) not consistently being the dominant Hobey Baker Finalist that he was last year.
#4 Yale University Bulldogs
Bounced out of the ECAC tournament in the second round and incredibly bubblicious, the Bulldogs needed certain teams to win (particularly Ivy League and ECAC rival Harvard who had just eliminated them) and lose to squeak their way into the tournament. An incredibly well coached team that prides itself on shutting other teams down with their best-in-the-country stingy defense.
Strengths: Defense, defense, defense (51 goals allowed in 32 games) and a whole lot of quality goaltending from Alex Lyon (UFA - 1.51 GAA & .939 save percentage)
Weaknesses: Inability to score (84 goals in 32 games)
Match-ups:
BU vs Yale, Friday 3/27, 2ET, ESPNU
The best offense in the country against the best defense in the country….something's got to give! Ultimately, I think BU's speed and skill will wear down Yale's stingy defense as the game goes on and they'll be able to capitalize in the third. Containing Jack Eichel and Company is never easy for a team that hasn't faced them before, as is the case here. Once you think you've got them under control, they push back and you're on your heels and BAM!…the pucks in the back of your net. Plus, BU's defense is pretty stellar as well. Advantage BU.
Minnesota Duluth vs Minnesota, Friday 3/27, 5:30ET ESPNU
It's hard enough to play five games against one team within your conference in a given year…to play five against a non-conference opponent in one season is unheard of, but that's exactly what these in-state rivals are about to do and in the fifth different building no less. They started the season in the Ice Breaker in South Bend, played a home-and-home series and then squared off in the North Star College Cup in St Paul in January with the Bulldogs taking three of the four, but this is the one that matters. To say these opponents are familiar with each other is an understatement. These teams are very similar in their style of play and will be an absolute battle. I'm not expecting many pretty goals in this one, but rather a fast and physical game that demands you pay the price for success. I anticipate a team wearing maroon and gold to advance to the Regional Final ;) Flip a coin!
Julie
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