West

While the primary focus of college sports this time of year is on basketball's March Madness it's still pretty cold outside and that means that it's time to focus on the Frozen Four. Last year's champion Boston College Eagles lost to the Boston University (BU) Terriers in the Hockey East semi-finals and were eliminated from the tournament for the first time in seven years which means that this year will crown a new champion. Regional play begins today and tomorrow. In the Northeast (Manchester); No. 1 Boston University (BU) Terriers vs. No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes. No. 2 North Dakota Fighting Sioux vs. No. 3 New Hampshire Wildcats. In the East (Bridgeport); No. 1 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 4 Air Force Falcons. No. 2 Yale Bulldogs vs. No. 3 Vermont Catamounts. In the Midwest (Grand Rapids); No. 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. No. 4 Bemidji State Beavers. No. 2 Northeastern Huskies vs. No. 3 Cornell Big Red. In the West (Minneapolis); No. 1 Denver Pioneers vs. No. 4 Miami (Ohio) Redhawks. No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs vs. No. 3 Princeton Tigers. The National Semi-finals will be played at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 9. The first game will be played between the winners of the East and Northeast and game 2 between the winners of the Midwest and West. The National Championship will be on Saturday, April 11 at 7:00pm ET. While I am no brackentologist here are my predictions for the Frozen Four; Now I'm showing loyalty to my current state of residence (Michigan) which hasn't missed the tournament since 1990 and I believe is currently tied with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in all time appearances with 32. They also have the most NCAA championships at 9. I'm looking to current Hobey Baker finalist and Woodbridge, Ontario native Louie Caporusso to do some major damage as he leads Michigan to the finals. Michigan's coach Red Berenson, in his 25 years of coaching, has shown that he knows what it takes to win. Go Wolverines. Wondering what other IC readers think will happen during this year's Frozen Four. Feel free to post your comments or predictions.

Frozen Four Preview