Boston College may boast the nation’s No. 1 offense, but the Eagles know their school’s recent national championships (2008, 2010, 2012) haven’t come by outrunning and outgunning the opposition. They’ve come from being an excellent defensive team. This year’s squad is prepared to follow suit.
Following North Dakota’s 2-1 double-overtime Midwest Regional final victory over Ferris State two weeks ago, most of the praise was heaped upon one of UND’s leading lights and also upon one of the team’s more unsung heroes.
Boston College, Minnesota and Union played in the Frozen Four in 2012, while North Dakota did in 2011.
PHILADELPHIA — Minnesota sophomore defenseman Mike Reilly talks about what it’ll take for the Gophers to get past North Dakota in the Frozen Four in this video: [youtube_sc url=http://youtu.be/pc9A9udyxc4]
The last time North Dakota met archrival Minnesota in a NCAA tournament game, things could’ve gone quite a lot better for UND than they did.
Whether it’s being welcomed to the city by a band or facing the increased media scrutiny, there are plenty of potential non-hockey distractions during the Frozen Four.
Boston College’s dominating first line of Johnny Gaudreau, Kevin Hayes and Bill Arnold has received the lion’s share of media attention, and deservedly so.
With three straight ECAC Hockey tournament titles, four consecutive NCAA appearances and a national best 15-game unbeaten streak entering Thursday’s game against Boston College, it’s fair to say that Union is in a position of which most teams in the country would be envious.
Here’s video of North Dakota forward Rocco Grimaldi talking Wednesday about how the team spent the time since the Midwest Regional and what it’ll take to beat Minnesota in the national semifinals.
At 1:50 p.m., Boston College coach Jerry York walked into Wednesday’s Frozen Four news conference along with three of his players, all fresh from practice. When asked for his thoughts, he replied with a sentiment often heard at that time of day.
Entering this season, Union forward Michael Pontarelli was anticipating the chance to get back to another championship game.
PHILADELPHIA — Here’s video of Boston College coach Jerry York talking to the media after his news conference Wednesday: [youtube_sc url=http://youtu.be/FgikDA1CCZw]
Join hosts Jim Connelly and Ed Trefzger, writers for USCHO.com, for USCHO Live! at the 2014 NCAA Frozen Four, live from Field House Philadelphia. Our guests will include coaches, journalists, commissioners and players, as we discuss this year’s tournament. Listen Live: blogtalkradio.com/uscholive Our Wednesday show runs from 4-6 p.m. EDT on April 9. If you’re … Read more
PHILADELPHIA — Union juniors Cole Ikkala and Sam Coatta talked in the Dutchmen locker room Wednesday about the time off between the regionals and the Frozen Four and preparing to face Boston College. [youtube_sc url=http://youtu.be/_EuFY7ZApbc] [youtube_sc url=http://youtu.be/B5pH5U81w9E]
Good morning from the media room at the Wells Fargo Center, where we’re getting set for a day of team practices and news conferences at the Frozen Four.
After scoring three goals in the East Regional, Dutchmen junior center Max Novak will be just two hours from home in Philadelphia.
In three years leading the Dutchmen, Rick Bennett has been to two Frozen Fours, won five ECAC Hockey titles and is in the midst of a 30-win season.
The rivals play in the Frozen Four semifinals, and North Dakota must contain the Gophers’ speed.
The first Frozen Four semifinal matches teams that have experience in the situation.
UND is in its first Frozen Four since 2011 thanks to contributions from a number of players.