March 20, 2011
NCAA Tournament
Northeast Regional Capsules | Manchester, N.H.

Scottrade Center
Saturday, March 26

4 p.m. ET: No. 1 Miami vs. No. 4 New Hampshire (Live on ESPNU HD/ESPN3.com)

7:30 p.m. ET: No. 2 Merrimack vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (Live on ESPN Syndication/ESPN3.com; Delay on ESPNU HD)

Sunday, March 26

8 p.m. ET: Regional final (ESPNU HD)

NO. 1 SEED MIAMI REDHAWKS

Location: Oxford, Ohio
Record: 23-9-6 overall (16-7-5-2 CCHA, third)
Qualified: CCHA tournament champions
NCAA Championships: None
NCAA Appearance: Ninth (most recent, 2010)
Head Coach: Enrico Blasi
Key Players: Andy Miele, F, Sr. (38 GP, 24-47—71); Carter Camper, F, Sr. (19-37—56); Reilly Smith, F, So. (37 GP, 28-26—54); Cody Reichard, G, Jr. (15-4-2, 2.05, .911)
What You Need to Know: The RedHawks made history Saturday night, stemming a Western Michigan rally and scoring three third-period goals to win the program’s first-ever CCHA playoff title. Miami boasts three of the nation’s top-four point scorers, and they haven’t allowed more than two goals in a game for the last seven contests, resulting in a seven-game win streak and a 13-game unbeaten streak.
How They'll Advance: Miami’s all-around game was masterful at Joe Louis Arena, and they’ll look to play a very similar game to get to their third consecutive Frozen Four. Coach Enrico Blasi’s team’s success is predicated on a suffocating defensive game, quick transitions, strong passing and playmaking ability, as well as a knack for tucking home any loose pucks and rebounds.
What Might Trip Them Up: Sitting in a relatively healthy position, the main worry for Miami, and it’s a long shot, is psychological. The RedHawks finally got over the Mason Cup hump, so they showed an ability to move past old mental roadblocks, but they still need to shake off past NCAA Tournament shortcomings and not let that shake their confidence if they get down in a game.

NO. 2 SEED MERRIMACK WARRIORS

Location: North Andover, Mass.
Record: 25-9-4 overall (16-8-3 Hockey East, fourth)
Qualified: At-large berth
NCAA Championships: None
NCAA Appearance: Second (most recent, 1988)
Head Coach: Mark Dennehy
Key Players: Stephane Da Costa, F, So. (32 GP, 14-30—44); Chris Barton, F, Sr. (35 GP, 14-25—39); Karl Stollery, D, Jr. (6-21—27); Joe Cannata, G, Jr. (25-9-4, 2.44, .911)
What You Need to Know: Merrimack is making just its second tournament appearance, a just reward for a team that was consistent throughout the year. Chris Barton, the team's second-leading scorer, was out of the lineup during the Hockey East championship weekend, but could be back for the NCAAs.
How They'll Advance: It's Jesse Todd, not Stephane Da Costa, that leads this team in goal-scoring. The wing has 17 goals on the season and this team is balanced with seven double-digit goal-scorers this season. There are a number of lines that can hurt you and goalie Joe Cannata can steal a game.
What Might Trip Them Up: The issue of inexperience is there for this group, but it can take confidence from strong performances in Hockey East playoff games against Maine and New Hampshire. The Warriors have been involved in lots of high-scoring games lately, with 50 combined goals between the Warriors and opponents in the last seven games. Will that style and pace hold up in the NCAAs?

NO. 3 SEED NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

Location: Notre Dame, Ind.
Record: 23-13-5 overall (18-7-3-2 CCHA, second)
Qualified: At-large berth
NCAA Championships: None
NCAA Appearance: Fifth (most recent, 2009)
Head Coach: Jeff Jackson
Key Players: T.J. Tynan, F, Fr. (41 GP, 22-30—52); Anders Lee, F, Fr. (41 GP, 22-19—41); Ryan Guentzel, F, Sr. (6-31—37); Mike Johnson, G, So. (18-9-4, 2.62, .903)
What You Need to Know: The Fighting Irish slid into the NCAA Tournament, losing four out of its last six contests and seemingly having lost that magic that had them in contention for the conference title until the final minutes of the regular season. While Notre Dame looked a bit listless at Joe Louis Arena, this roster is still loaded with NHL-caliber talent that could turn the corner in a heartbeat.
How They'll Advance: Notre Dame freshman forwards T.J. Tynan and Anders Lee have provided the offensive spark the team needed to bounce back from last year’s disappointing campaign, and they’ll be counted on to lead the way in the NCAA Tournament. Beyond Tynan and Lee, look for fellow freshman Jeff Costello and veterans Ryan Guentzel, Billy Maday and Ben Ryan to provide some scoring depth, as the Irish are at their best when multiple lines are rolling.
What Might Trip Them Up: In the two games that ultimately erased their chances of taking home a CCHA trophy this year – the regular-season finale against Western Michigan and the CCHA semifinal against Miami – the Fighting Irish fell behind early and couldn’t find a way to climb back into the game. If teams can jump out to early, multiple-goal leads, they should be able to clamp down and keep the Irish from coming back.

NO. 4 SEED NEW HAMPSHIRE WILDCATS

Location: Durham, N.H.
Record: 21-10-6 overall (17-6-4 Hockey East, second)
Qualified: At-large berth
NCAA Championships: None
NCAA Appearance: 21st (most recent, 2010)
Head Coach: Dick Umile
Key Players: Paul Thompson, F, Sr. (28-24-—52); Mike Sislo, F, Sr. (13-33—46); Blake Kessel, D, Jr. (5-21—26); Matt DiGirolamo, G, Jr. (21-10-6, 2.49, .921)
What You Need To Know: New Hampshire and Boston College waged a showdown in Hockey East that came down to the last weekend of the regular season. They lost some of the season's biggest games down the stretch, as they were swept by both Merrimack and BC late in the year, and dropped a semifinal game against Merrimack this past weekend.
How They’ll Advance: The talented, veteran trio of Paul Thompson, MIke Sislo and Phil DeSimone leads the offense, and Kessel is one of the best in the country at creating from the blue line. Veterans carried UNH last year, when they were a win away from the Frozen Four. They'll be counted on again this time.
What Might Trip Them Up: How high is the ceiling for this team? The Wildcats were just 3-6-1 against teams that eventually made the NCAA Tournament this year, and 2-3-2 against teams outside of Hockey East. They're probably good, but likely not great. It takes great performances to make the Frozen Four.