Frozen Four Semi-Final Picks

Tommorrow begins the Frozen Four. I gave you the team capsules now lets predict the games.

Boston College vs North Dakota (3 P.M. ET ESPN 2):

The Eagles and The Sioux meet again in the NCAA tournament. This time in the semi-finals of the Frozen Four. There is a history of these two meeting each other particulary in the National Championship game (met in 2000 and 2001 championship game in which North Dakota won in 2000 and BC won in 2001). They last met in the NCAA tournament last year in the East regional finals which North Dakota dominated play in the 6-3 victory.

These are two different teams this year. Both teams are young and fast. So it should be a more interesting game unlike last years regional finals.

Goaltender Cory Schneider for BC is coming off two consecutive shutouts over Miami (Ohio) and Boston University. He has only two losses in his last eight games going 5-2-1 with a 1.65 gaa and an amazing .947 save pct over that span and also named Hockey East goaltender of the month for March.

North Dakota goaltender Jordan Parise for North Dakota has the experience and is also playing very well as of late. He was named to the all West regional team stopping 51 of 54 shots on goal over the weekend. Parise has only lost two games in his career during the NCAA tournament both to Denver.

Expect this game to be a very physical and very speedy game. Both teams have speed and like to hit. Chris Collins could be the difference maker for BC while T.J. Oshie could be the difference maker for North Dakota. Both of them can score at will.

But at the end i think the Sioux will previal and move on to the National Championship.

Final Score North Dakota 3, Boston College 2.

Maine vs Wisconsin (8 P.M.)

Maine is coming in scoring 11 goals in the East Regional. Michel Leveille and Matt Duffy played very well and helped in each aspect of their games.

Wisconsin is coming in with three cosecutive shutouts from Goaltender Brian Elliott, including the triple overtime victory over Cornell. Elliott a hobey finalist has had an amazing season. As mentioned in the team capsule he is one of the most key players on the team, and I think he could be the key player in all of the Frozen Four.

Ben Bishop goaltender for Maine has other plans. The 6"7 Freshman goaltender also has good stats (see Maine team capsule). The Badgers have not seen a goalie of this size before which could be to their disadvantage.

But the Badgers still have the advantage with. With the game being played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin should have a good following.

That is why I am taking Wisconsin for this game.

Wisconsin 4, Maine 2.

Well we will see how each game plays out. Game reports will be coming after each game tommorrow. Until then enjoy the Frozen Four.