Above photo by Meg Kelly.
The field of 16 teams who will be competing in the upcoming NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey tournament were revealed on March 24. Three conferences finished tied for the most bids, with four teams being selected from the Hockey East, Big Ten, and NCHC. Here are the three teams who I think have the best chance to take home the trophy.
Boston College Eagles (31-5-1) #1 overall seed, #1 seed in the Providence Region.
Hockey East Regular Season and Hockey East Tournament Champions
Boston College has been number one in the polls for the majority of the season, and on paper are definitely the favorites to win this tournament. Their all freshman line of Gabe Perreault, Will Smith, and Ryan Leonard has been as close to unstoppable as a line can get, recording a combined 178 points so far. Smith and teammate Cutter Gauthier are among the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best player in college hockey.
The key for the Eagles in this tournament will be getting high quality play from a back end that has been underrated all season long. This group is led by senior captain Eamon Powell, who was recently named to the Hockey East Second Team as well as the All Tournament Team after helping lead the Eagles to their first Hockey East Tournament title since 2012. As long as Powell and company can be steady in front of freshman goalie Jacob Fowler, this is the Eagles title to lose. They will take on Michigan Tech in the first round.
Nebraska Omaha Mavericks (23-12-4), #3 seed in the Sioux Falls Region
The Mavericks were 8-1-1 in their last ten games heading into the NCHC title game against Denver, a game in which they would lose 4-1. A loss to a Pioneers team that now heads into this tournament as the number three overall seed doesn’t change my view at all on the Mavericks and their ceiling. They can win the whole thing.
The Mavericks are a very balanced team, with nine players recording 15 or more points to date. What they lack in star-power compared to some of the other teams in this tournament, they make it up for with depth and grit. Sophomore goalie Simon Latkoczy is certainly capable of stealing a game, and I wouldn’t want to play a battle tested team like them. A match-up with Minnesota in the semifinals of the Sioux Falls region awaits them.
Boston University 26-9-2, #1 seed in the Sioux Falls Region
The Terriers likely have the Hobey Baker winner in Malcom Celebrini on their team, and his supporting cast is excellent. He along with three of his teammates were recognized on the Hockey East All Star Teams. Celebrini as well as sophomore defenseman Lane Hutson were named to the First Team.
The Terriers certainly have the star power to make a deep run, there’s really no denying that. Having an upperclassmen goaltender in Mathieu Caron is also a big help, especially this time of year. The only thing I’d be worried about if I was a BU fan is the Omaha Mavericks. If both teams win their first game, they will face square off with a bid to the Frozen Four on the line. That hypothetical match-up would be a coin flip, but BU will have to get past a feisty RIT squad first.
The tournament will begin on March 28, and will conclude on April 13. The four host cities for regional play are Sioux Falls SD, Springfield MA, Maryland Heights MO, and Providence RI. The Frozen Four will take place in St. Paul MN.
Agree? Disagree? Email lservello@www.clermontsun.com