Albany Regional, March 27-29 | MVP Arena
No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Bentley | March 27, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
No. 2 Minnesota Duluth vs. No. 3 Penn State | March 27, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Albany Regional Championship | March 29, TBD
MICHIGAN
How they got here: Won B1G tournament, 1st in final NPI
Overall season record: 29-7-1
Top players: F Will Horcoff (24-13-27), F Michael Hage (13-38-51), D Luca Fantilli (4-13-17), D Tyler Duke (2-15-17), F T.J. Hughes (20-33-53), G Jack Ivankovic (23-7-1, 2.14, .923)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: The Wolverines can score seemingly at will and from nearly any spot on the ice. Michigan is tops in the nation offensively, averaging 4.57 goals per game and outscoring opponents 169-88 overall this season – including by a 68-30 margin in the third period. Just ask Ohio State, the team Michigan beat 7-3 for this year’s B1G title in a game that was tied 3-3 at the start of the third. They haven’t lost in OT this season (5-0-1) and, not surprisingly, Michigan has the top power play in the nation. They have something to prove this year, too. After making three straight Frozen Four appearances from 2022 to 2024, Michigan missed the NCAA tourney altogether last year.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: This bracket is so much tougher than people realize. All four teams can score and each is adept on the power play — which is potentially bad news for the Wolverines. Michigan is third nationally in penalty minutes (16.19) and 39th on the penalty kill (.792). Should Michigan get past Bentley, they’ll face either Duluth, which has beaten North Dakota twice in their last 10 games and lost the NCHC title game to Denver in double overtime; or Penn State, which went 2-1-1 against Michigan in the regular-season — plus the Nittany Lions would be motivated by their 5-2 loss to the Wolverines in the B1G semis.
MINNESOTA DULUTH
How they got here: At-large, 8th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 23-14-1
Top players: G Adam Gajan (18-12-1, 2.24, .908), F Jayson Shaugabay (11-21-32), F Zam Plante (20-27-47), F Max Plante (24-25-49), D Ty Hanson (8-25-33), F Grayden Siepmann (6-12-18)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Minnesota Duluth is already 10 wins better than it was a year ago, with a dozen wins outside of NCHC play. They’ve been rolling lately, too, smoking North Dakota on the road in the conference semifinals before pushing Denver beyond regulation in the title game.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: There might not be a tougher regional to get out of this year than the one UMD has been dealt. Beat a very good Penn State in the first round? Have fun against probably the No.1 team in the country with a trip to Vegas on the line.
PENN STATE
How they got here: At-large bid, 9th in final NPI
Overall season record: 21-13-2
Top players: F Aiden Fink (10-28-38), D Jackson Smith (11-15-26), D Jarod Crespo (5-12-17), F Gavin McKenna (15-36-51), G Kevin Reidler (11-7-0, 3.31, .901), G Joshua Fleming (10-5-2, 2.56, .924), F Matt DiMarsico (18-24-42)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Because they have to. That’s the way the Nittany Lions see it for certain. Last year, Penn State made its first-ever Frozen Four appearance, losing 3-1 to Boston University in the semifinal. An enormous amount of talent from that team returned this season for the sole purpose of making a repeat Frozen Four appearance, including many players that could have signed pro contracts. Additionally, the Nittany Lions found top OHL talent to fill perceived gaps. Penn State is fast, offensively gifted, and perhaps the grittiest team in the field.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: While the Nittany Lions have the fifth-best offense and ninth-best power play nationally, Penn State struggles defensively, giving up more than three goals per game on average (41st). Penn State averages more penalty minutes (18.89) per game than anyone with a PK that is good (13th) but which can be exploited. They’re outscoring opponents 135-114 overall but start slow, with opponents scoring more in the first periods of games. The Nittany Lions are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games, four of which went to overtime (1-1-2). They’re really good and they’re really exploitable – and they couldn’t have drawn a tougher first opponent in Minnesota Duluth.
BENTLEY
How they got here: Won Atlantic Hockey America tournament; 23rd in final NPI
Overall season record: 23-11-5
Top players: D Jack Dalton (2-17-19), F Kellan Hjartarson (10-24-34), F Jake Black (19-22–41), D David Helledy (5-14–19), G Lukas Swedin (14-6-4, 2.02, .921), F Michael Mesic (15-17–32)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Bentley won all five of its postseason games, so the Falcons enter the tournament on a roll. Since Holy Cross knocked off Minnesota in 2006, AHA champions have also won first round games in 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019, often as the 16th overall seed. Atlantic Hockey America teams have defeated the overall top seed three times in the past 10 seasons. Coach Andy Jones has instilled a winning attitude at Bentley in only three seasons, leading the Falcons to their first ever tournament title last season as well as the regular season and playoff titles this year. Last season, the Falcons gave top seed Boston College all it could handle, tied 1-1 with less than two minutes to go before BC scored the winning goal.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: As the 16th overall seed, the Falcons have the toughest path to Vegas. And after last year’s impressive performance in the NCAAs, no one will be taking the Falcons lightly. And while Atlantic Hockey America teams have had success in the first round, it hasn’t happened recently. American International was the last to do it in 2019 when the Yellow Jackets upset St. Cloud in Fargo. The league is 0-5 since. The Falcons are 0-1 against teams in the field this season, a 6-0 loss at Denver in their second game.