EAST REGIONAL - Providence
#1 Miami University RedHawks
After failing to make the national tournament last season, the veteran RedHawks decided this program deserved better and committed themselves to an intense off-season training program to prepare themselves for success this season. After winning the NCHC Championship and earning a #1 seed (4th overall) in the national tournament, seems like the hard work has paid off, but they're not done yet.
Strengths: Ability to push the pace; Lethal offensive weapons in Austin Czarnik (UFA), Riley Barber (WAS) and Anthony Louis (CHI); Grind it out leaders in Blake Coleman (NJD - suspended for Saturday's game) and Sean Kuraly (SJS); Offense from the defense led by Matt Caito (UFA) and freshman Louie Belpedio (MIN); Jay Williams and his 1.89 GAA
Weaknesses: Lack of discipline; Playing from behind
#2 University of Denver Pioneers
After losing just two players from last year's team, the 2014-15 edition of the Pioneers is experienced, has a lot of depth and, after losing in the first round of last year's tournament to Boston College, they've got a chip on their shoulder with a lot to prove.
Strengths: Depth, they like to come at you in waves and don't line match; Top line of Daniel Doremus (UFA), Trevor Moore (UFA) & freshman Danton Heinen (BOS - who leads the team with 45 points) are a threat any time they're on the ice. Defensemen getting it done at both ends of the ice - Joey LaLeggia (EDM) on the offensive side of things with 38 points in 35 games & Josiah Didier (MTL) with 72 blocked shots
Weaknesses: Regular goalie rotation, Playing without the puck
#3 Boston College Eagles
This is a new-look BC team after losing an absurd amount of offensive talent in the off-season particularly with the early departure of Johnny Gaudreau (CGY) and Kevin Hayes (NYR), so this year's version is a lot more defensive-minded and grittier than the BC teams that we're used to.
Strengths: Work ethic, this team makes you work for every inch of ice; Penalty Kill and their defense in general - Michael Matheson (FLA), Noah Hanifin (DE-2015), Ian McCoshen (FLA) and Steve Santini (NJD) are locking it down in their own end and, in the case of Matheson and Hanifin, contribute offensively too. Thatcher Demko (VAN), capable of single-handedly winning any game for the Eagles.
Weaknesses: Power Play isn't very powerful, Lack of offense, No go-to offensive leader
#4 Providence College Friars
After being eliminated from the Hockey East Playoffs in the second round and having to rely on other teams to win/lose for all the pieces to fall into place, the Friars were the last team to qualify for this year's tournament. It is the first time in program history that they've appeared in back-to-back tournaments.
Strengths: Jon Gillies (CGY) and his 1.95 GAA & 931 save percentage, Commitment to team defense and keeping shooters to the perimeter
Weaknesses: Lack of offense
Match-ups:
Miami vs Providence, Saturday 3/28, 6:30ET, ESPNU
This is going to be a tough one for Providence to win considering Miami's plethora of offensive talent that is just relentless in their attack, but you should never count out a team with a goaltender as good as Gillies. That said, Gillies can't win them the game, he can only prevent them from losing. If the Friars can't pounce on second and third opportunities in front of Williams….game over.
Denver vs BC, Saturday 3/28, 3ET, ESPN2
If you like end to end action, this might be the game for you. These teams are near mirror images of each other - capable of scoring, but do it inconsistently, fast and like to push the pace, strong defensively and pounce on mistakes and opportunities and an offensively active blueline. BC got their pissed off on against the Pioneers in the first round of last year's tournament after failing to advance to the Hockey East Final and I wouldn't be surprised if they were able to do it again with their offensive abilities being rather equal and Demko being the difference in net.
**********
Julie
[email protected]
Facebook
Be sure to like
HockeyBuzz on Facebook!
Join the Discussion:
»