Noon EST:
No. 1 Cornell vs. No. 4 Minnesota State, Mankato
3:30 p.m.
EST: No. 2 Boston College vs. No. 4 Ohio State
Sunday,
March 30
Noon EST:
Regional Final
NO.
1 SEED CORNELL
Most
Recent Line Chart
Left
Wing
Center
Right
Wing
M.
Moulson
R.
Vesce
S.
Bâby
S.
Paolini
Matt
McRae
S.
Hynes
M.
Knoepfli
D.
Pegoraro
S.
Palahicky
Cam
Abbott
Chris
Abbott
G.
Hornby
Defense
Defense
Goalies
J.
Downs
D.
Murray
D.
LeNeveu
T.
Bell
Mark
McRae
T.
Marr
B.
Wallace
C.
Cook
L.
Chabot
Location:
Ithaca, N.Y. Record:
28-4-1 (19-2-1 ECAC, first) Qualified: ECAC automatic bid NCAA Championships: Two (1967, 1970) NCAA Appearance: 14th (most recent, 2002) Head Coach: Mike Schafer Key Players: Dave LeNeveu, G, So. (26-2-1, 1.13
GAA, .943 sv%); Ryan Vesce, F, Jr. (17-25—42); Stephen Bâby,
F, Sr. (8-31—39) What You Need to Know: The dominant team in the
ECAC, Cornell suffocates teams with strong team defense and spectacular
goaltending – perfectly suited, one would think, for playoff
hockey. How They'll Advance: If they punish teams physically
and frustrate their scorers, they will have success – especially
against the three other teams that make up the East Regional,
which all boast explosive offenses. What Might Trip Them Up: The Big Red played a
tough non-conference schedule, including games against Boston
University, Maine and Ohio State. But for the most part, they've
faced the relatively weaker competition of the ECAC. Will that
catch up with them against the likes of Minnesota State, Mankato,
and, especially, Boston College?
NO.
2 SEED BOSTON COLLEGE
Most
Recent Line Chart
Left
Wing
Center
Right
Wing
T.
Voce
B.
Eaves
R.
Murphy
C.
Collins
R.
Shannon
D.
Spina
N.
Havern
T.
Hennes
S.
Gionta
A.
D'Arpino
A.J.
Walker
J.
Dziama
Defense
Defense
Goalies
A.
Alberts
J.D.
Forrest
M.
Kaltiainen
J.
Adams
P.
Harrold
T.
Kelleher
B.
Peterson
B.
Cass
R.
Miller
Location:
Chestnut Hill, Mass. Record: 23-10-4 (16-6-2 Hockey East, tied for
first) Qualified: At-large bid NCAA Championships: Two (1949, 2001) NCAA Appearance: 23rd (most recent, 2001) Head Coach: Jerry York Key Players: Ben Eaves, F, Jr. (18-38—56);
Tony Voce, F, Jr. (22-22—44); J.D. Forrest, D, Jr. (5-24—29) What You Need to Know: Boston College returns
after a year away from the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles shared
the Hockey East regular-season title and led the conference in
team offense, team defense, power play and penalty killing. Behind
the duo of Ben Eaves and Tony Voce up front, they're a dangerous
club. How They'll Advance: The Eagles play a disciplined
defensive game that limits opponents' shots and capitalizes on
offensive opportunities. They will need strong efforts from goaltender
Matti Kaltiainen. And Ben Eaves probably can do it all offensively,
but he certainly wouldn't mind some help. What Might Trip Them Up: BC has struggled in
some big spots, from the Beanpot, to the last week of the regular
season, to the Hockey East semifinals. They also haven't been
a good team in overtime (1-4-4) – although when we last
saw them in the NCAA Tournament, they won the title in OT.
NO.
3 SEED OHIO STATE
Most
Recent Line Chart
Left
Wing
Center
Right
Wing
D.
Steckel
R.J.
Umberger
S.
May
P.
Caponigri
R.
Kesler
J.
Bittner
M.
Lafleche
R.
Pelley
D.
Bencharski
T.
Latorre
C.
Olsgard
L.
Pavlas
Defense
Defense
Goalies
S.
Titus
E.
Skaug
M.
Betz
N.
Guenin
D.
Andress
D.
Caruso
R.
Whiting
T.
Welsh
Location:
Columbus, Ohio Record: 25-12-2 overall (16-8-4 CCHA, third) Qualified: At-large bid NCAA Championships: None NCAA Appearance: Third (most recent, 1999) Head Coach: John Markell Key Players: R.J. Umberger, F, Jr. (26-27—53);
Scott May, F, Jr., (10-25—35); Mike Betz, G, So., (20-10-5,
2.28 GAA, .902 sv%) What You Need to Know: The Buckeyes' 26-man roster
features players hailing from 10 states – including hockey
hotbeds Georgia, Oregon and Washington state – and four
Canadian provinces. How They'll Advance: By scoring first: Ohio State
is 21-2-3 this season when getting the game's first goal. The
Buckeyes also need a better effort from their power play. In the
team's last eight games, OSU's success rate with the man advantage
is a lowly 12.5 percent (6-for-48). Betz is a good goalie, but
stealing games isn't his forte. He's more effective when the shot
totals are low. What Might Trip Them Up: The vanishing act also
known as R.J. Umberger, who was a non-factor at the CCHA Super
Six (one point in three games) needs to play like a Hobey Baker
Award finalist. Keeping the Buckeyes focused could be a concern
for Markell; there are questions about OSU's discipline, and their
play against Northern Michigan in the CCHA third-place game was
listless and chippy.
NO.
4 SEED MINNESOTA STATE, MANKATO
Most
Recent Line Chart
Left
Wing
Center
Right
Wing
S.
Joseph
G.
Stevenson
R.
Kisskeys
B.
Thompson
B.J.
Abel
C.
Bassett
J.
Marler
J.
Brenk
A.
Gerlach
B.
Becker
J.
Hart
R.
McKelvie
Defense
Defense
Goalies
J.
Dubel
P.
Runkel
J.
Jensen
J.
Bourne
S.
Johns
J.
Volp
N.
Metcalf
M.
Paluczak
K.
Nixon
Location:
Mankato, Minn. Record: 20-10-10 overall (15-6-7 WCHA, third) Qualified: At-large bid NCAA Championships: None NCAA Appearance: First Head Coach: Troy Jutting Key Players: Shane Joseph, F, Jr. (29-35—64);
Grant Stevenson, F, So., (27-35—62); Steven Johns, D, So.,
(2-24—26) What You Need to Know: The Mavericks are making
their first NCAA Tournament in the Division I ranks, but they
appeared in 11 national tournaments at the Division II and III
level, winning the NCAA Division II crown in 1980. How They'll Advance: The dynamic duo of Joseph
and Stevenson, who have been outstanding this season, have to
lead the way. The Mavericks' experience in tight games –
in addition to the 10 ties, Minnesota State has played in nine
one-goal games – can't hurt, especially for a team with
zero postseason experience. What Might Trip Them Up: The awe of playing in
their first NCAA Tournament is always a factor, especially when
you consider the Mavericks bring their first losing streak of
the season into Friday's game with Cornell. Mankato is the most-penalized
team in the WCHA and they have the league's worst penalty kill,
a potential fatal combination.
Send this page to a friend
Send This Page to a Friend | About
Us | Advertising
Info | Site Map | Privacy
Policy | © 2007, Inside College Hockey, Inc., All Rights Reserved