Location:
Ithaca, N.Y. Record:
30-4-1 (19-2-1 ECAC, first) Qualified: ECAC automatic bid NCAA Championships: Two (1967, 1970) NCAA Appearance: 14th (most recent, 2002) Frozen Four Appearance: 8th (most recent, 1980) Head Coach: Mike Schafer Key Players: Dave LeNeveu, G, So. (28-2-1, 1.14
GAA, .942 sv%); Ryan Vesce, F, Jr. (18-26—44); Stephen Bâby,
F, Sr. (8-32—40) What You Need to Know: Twenty-two years have
passed since Cornell's last trip to the Frozen Four. Only Colorado
College (38 years) and Dartmouth (30 years) have had longer gaps
between Frozen Four appearances. How They'll Take the Trophy: The Big Red need
to play a physical game along the boards, and control play in
their opponents' offensive zone – just like they did in
Providence. What Might Trip Them Up: Last week the first
power-play unit wasn't its normal fearsome self, and Cornell only
got one of its seven goals from its first line. Balance is a beautiful
thing, but what if the second and third lines aren't scoring either?
MICHIGAN
| Midwest Regional Champion
Most
Recent Line Chart
Left
Wing
Center
Right
Wing
26-J.
Ortmeyer
28-J.
Shouneyia
15-J.
Tambellini
21-E.
Nystrom
10-D.
Helminen
25-M.
Mink
17-M.
Woodford
14-B.
Kaleniecki
19-A.
Ebbett
22-J.
Ryznar
18-D.
Moss
9-M.
Gajic
Defense
Defense
Goalies
23-M.
Roemensky
4-A.
Burnes
35-A.
Montoya
2-N.
Martens
12-J.
Swistak
34-N.
Ruden
7-D.
Richmond
5-B.
Rogers
30-C.
Gartman
Location:
Ann Arbor, Mich. Record: 30-9-3 overall (18-7-3 CCHA, second) Qualified: CCHA playoff champion NCAA Championships: Nine (1948, 1951, 1952, 1953,
1955, 1956, 1964, 1996, 1998) NCAA
Appearance: 26th (most recent, 2002) Frozen Four Appearance: 22nd (most recent, 2002) Head Coach: Red Berenson Key Players: Jeff Tambellini, F, Fr. (26-18—44);
John Shouneyia, F, Sr. (7-28—35); Jed Ortmeyer, F, Sr. (17-16—33) What You Need to Know: The Wolverines are making
their 13th straight NCAA Tournament appearance under coach Red
Berenson, who now holds the record for most consecutive trips
to the national playoffs. The previous mark of 12 was set by Minnesota's
Doug Woog (1985-97). How They'll Take the Trophy: The underdog Wolverines
– sounds strange, doesn't it? – seem to have a different
hero every night. Against Maine last Saturday, it was freshman
Al Montoya and senior Jed Ortmeyer. In Sunday's Midwest Regional
final, it was the fourth line of Jason Ryznar, David Moss and
Milan Gajic. The Maize-and-Blueprint for continued success: everyone
fulfills their roles, and one or two guys exceed expectations. What Might Trip Them Up: Colorado College had
the talent to match Michigan's top two lines, rendering them virtually
ineffective which makes the contributions from unlikely sources
essential since Minnesota has the ability to do the same. Still,
the Wolverines will follow Ortmeyer's lead. CC also proved Michigan's
top-notch penalty kill to be mortal with quick puck movement,
something the Gophers can also do.
MINNESOTA
| West Regional Champion
Most
Recent Line Chart
Left
Wing
Center
Right
Wing
26-T.
Vanek
24-M.
Koalska
21-T.
Riddle
18-G.
Potulny
7-G.
Guyer
27-B.
Tallackson
9-A.
Sertich
25-J.
Reinholz
23-T.
Hirsch
17-G.
Smaagaard
29-J.
Fleming
5-J.
Waibel
Defense
Defense
Goalies
10-P.
Martin
19-M.
DeMarchi
33-J.
Johnson
13-K.
Ballard
3-C.
Harrington
31-T.
Weber
20-J.
Martin
6-J.
Stevens
Location:
Minneapolis,
Minn. Record: 26-8-9 overall (15-6-7 WCHA, second) Qualified: WCHA playoff champion NCAA Championships: Four (1974, 1976, 1979, 2002) NCAA Appearance: 27th (most recent, 2002) Frozen Four Appearance: 18th (most recent, 2002) Head Coach: Don Lucia Key Players: Thomas Vanek, F, Fr. (29-29—58);
Grant Potulny, F, Jr. (15-7—22); Paul Martin, D, Jr. (9-30—39) What You Need To Know: Minnesota is aiming to
become the first team to win back-to-back NCAA championships since
Boston University accomplished the feat in 1971-72. How They'll Take the Trophy: By not changing
a thing offensively. The Minnesota attack is bordering on unstoppable,
with 16 goals and 105 shots on goal in two wins at the West Regional.
Of the 18 players who suited up against Mercyhurst and Ferris
State, 13 recorded at least one point. What Might Trip Them Up: Goaltending. The Gophers
only allowed a combined 38 shots at the West Regional, but six
of them ended up getting past Travis Weber and Justin Johnson.
It's not an issue if Minnesota continues to outshoot foes by a
two-to-one margin, but it's not realistic to expect that to happen
at the Frozen Four.
NEW
HAMPSHIRE | Northeast Regional Champion
Most
Recent Line Chart
Left
Wing
Center
Right
Wing
18-L.
Gare
17-J.
Prudden
12-C.
Hemingway
9-S.
Collins
11-N.
Martz
8-S.
Saviano
21-P.
Callander
10-J.
Aikens
15-J.
Abbott
25-P.
Foley
19-T.
Horst
2-T.
Scott
Defense
Defense
Goalies
27-G.
Stafford
5-M.
Mounsey
34-M.
Ayers
33-B.
Yandle
4-M.
Lubesnick
29-J.
Pietrasiak
7-T.
Teplitsky
3-R.
Barker
Location:
Durham, N.H. Record: 27-7-6 (15-5-4 Hockey East, tied for
first) Qualified: Hockey East automatic bid NCAA Championships: None NCAA Appearance: 13th (most recent, 2002) Frozen Four Appearance: 7th (most recent, 2002) Head Coach: Dick Umile Key Players: Lanny Gare, F, Sr. (22-28—50);
Colin Hemingway, F, Sr. (20-24—44); Mike Ayers, G, Jr. (24-7-6,
2.20 GAA, .925 sv%) What You Need to Know: New Hampshire's always
been an offensive team, but its been complemented this year with
a stifling defense that ranks third nationally (2.23 goals allowed
per game). How They'll Take the Trophy: They'll need offense,
especially early in the semifinal. When Cornell gets a lead, it's
nearly impossible to beat (25-1-0 when leading after two periods).
What Might Trip Them Up: Injuries to Lanny Gare
and Kevin Truelson could hurt the Wildcats. Gare, their leading
scorer, separated his shoulder on the first shift of the Northeast
Regional final, and his status is in doubt. Then there's history
– the tournament has never been kind to UNH.
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