Yesterday was Selection Sunday and the bracket for the NCAA tournament was announced. Hockey East ended up with four teams in the tourney; Boston College, Boston University, Maine, and Lowell. Merrimack joined Northern Michigan as being just on the wrong side of the Pairwise. BC, which won yet another Hockey East championship over the weekend, is the #1 overall seed in the tournament. For Lowell it’s their first NCAA berth since 1996 while Maine returns to the tourney for the first time since they eliminated UMass in 2007.
With all that said, here’s my bracket:
| Boston College | ||||
| Boston College | ||||
| Air Force | ||||
| Boston College | ||||
| Minnesota-Duluth | ||||
| Minnesota-Duluth | ||||
| Maine | ||||
| Boston College | ||||
| Minnesota | ||||
| Minnesota | ||||
| Boston University | ||||
| Minnesota | ||||
| Western Michigan | ||||
| North Dakota | ||||
| North Dakota | ||||
| Michigan | ||||
| Union | ||||
| Michigan State | ||||
| Michigan State | ||||
| Miami | ||||
| Miami | ||||
| Miami | ||||
| Lowell | ||||
| Michigan | ||||
| Ferris State | ||||
| Denver | ||||
| Denver | ||||
| Michigan | ||||
| Cornell | ||||
| Michigan | ||||
| Michigan |
Yep, picking the Wolverines to take their first championship since 1998. I want to pick BC all the way but for some reason I just see a bit of vulnerability in them. I’m not totally sold on Parker Milner after the up and down season he had.
▲
The official Fargo Force blog has this piece on current Minuteman Oleg Yevenko.
Nothing really new here but the Bangor Daily News talks about potential changes to the playoff format and expansion in Hockey East.
T.J. Syner had an assist in his first pro game.
Former Minuteman Mike Kostka contributed to a historic night as he assisted on the game winning goal for the Norfolk Admirals as they won their 18th consecutive game, an AHL record.
▲
Just want to remind UMass hockey fans of a couple opportunities. First it we’re getting closer to next week’s Reverse Raffle. Make sure to sign up and claim your lucky number before anyone else does. I cannot recommend this event enough. It’s a chance to socialize with UMass fans, alumni, coaches, broadcasters, and even bloggers. It’s a night of food, an open bar of beer and wine, prizes, and the chance to win $5,000. All for just $115 for you and a guest. Well worth it. I look forward to it every year.
Also, the Minutemen Club has announced that they have a handful of gameworn Frozen Fenway jerseys available for sale. NCAA regulations require that the nameplates are removed (obviously left on it would sully amateur athletics as we know it, right Fab Melo?) but the jersey still has the Hockey East and Frozen Fenway patches. The sale price is $450, which for a jersey worn in a once in a lifetime type event is pretty good. Since the University Store dropped the ball again passed on the opportunity to make money sell replicas, this could be your only chance to get one of these jerseys. For more info email the Minutemen Club at minutemenclub@admin.umass.edu. Speaking of the Minutemen Club, they’ve just announced their revised benefits and membership structure which can be found on their new website. So far so good on the direction the athletic department is taking for the fundraising effort, something that will be incredibly important as football moves to the FBS. What does that have to do with hockey? Well as they say a rising tide lifts all boats.
Fear The Triangle - UMass Hockey Blog 
Anonymous
/ March 20, 2012Gutsy call- with the Gophers going to the FF- the big question is which team shows- the first half team from Friday, or the second half team. I do know that Budish-Rau and Bjugstad may be the best line in the country. I also think UND’s Danny Kristo is the best forward you’ve never heard of.
Can we all agree to hope and pray that Frank Serratore pulls a rabbit out of his hat and beats the eagles in Worcester.
And- if anyone is interested in 2 Frozen Four tix @ face, I have them!
LikeLike
Gregg Anderson
/ March 20, 2012The previous comment was me.
LikeLike
rocks22
/ March 20, 2012Minnesota was on a good roll before that NoDak game. I think they’ll get it back on track with help from the hometown fans.
LikeLike
Gregg Anderson
/ March 20, 2012Hometowners didn’t help Friday- also I think Patterson’s NOT a great goalie- although when the opossing forwards kan pitch a tent in front of the crease….
LikeLike
rocks22
/ March 20, 2012You sound like a Sioux fan. 😉
LikeLike
Nick
/ March 21, 2012I think he has like 6 shutouts on the season. Haula is 10x better than Budish too. Biggest key in that regional: Aaron Dell
LikeLike
Anonymous
/ March 20, 2012Players with USHL connections all know Danny Kristo.
LikeLike
Ganderson
/ March 22, 2012Agreed- if Dell plays well it bodes well for the Sioux- and NOT a Sioux fan- although the hatreds of my youth (NoDak and Wisconsin) pale in comparison to my hatred of BC
LikeLike
TBG
/ March 23, 2012Recent years have a history of 1 vs. 4 upsets. Michigan St. this year ??
Although I would love to see Union go deep. ECAC teams usually stink in NCAA. ( Kratch Ratings ). Someone in mind ???
LikeLike
TBG
/ March 24, 2012Well, we got one #4 over a #1 on the first day. I said the ECAC usually stinks. They went 2-0. So much for my analysis.
Rocks…. an 0 for 4 on the first day. Hey there is always another day.
LikeLike
rocks22
/ March 24, 2012Win some lose some. There were legit reasons why I picked all those teams. Just the beauty of the tournament.
LikeLike
TBG
/ March 25, 2012Nice recovery !! 4 for 4 on Saturday.
The Dutchmen….. I like it. Proud of Air Force, a good scrap against B. C.
B.U. bounced badly. I’m fine with that. Great season for Lowell.
Despite 16 in a row BC is vulnerable.
When I get a little more time. I’d like to readdress our discussion about the UNECUP. Also my interest in independent games vs. league games.
Thanks
LikeLike