{"id":133824,"date":"2022-03-25T09:00:31","date_gmt":"2022-03-25T14:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-admin.uscho.com\/?p=133824"},"modified":"2022-03-22T16:55:25","modified_gmt":"2022-03-22T21:55:25","slug":"previewing-the-2022-ncaa-hockey-tournament-worcester-regional-western-michigan-minnesota-massachusetts-northeastern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-admin.uscho.com\/2022\/03\/25\/previewing-the-2022-ncaa-hockey-tournament-worcester-regional-western-michigan-minnesota-massachusetts-northeastern\/","title":{"rendered":"Previewing the 2022 NCAA hockey tournament, Worcester Regional: Western Michigan, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Northeastern"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Western Michigan blueliner Ronnie Attard was tabbed the NCHC offensive defenseman of the year for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons (photo: Ashley Huss).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WORCESTER REGIONAL<\/strong><\/h4>\n

When: Friday, March 25 & Sunday, March 27<\/strong>
\nWhere: DCU Center, Worcester, Mass.<\/strong>
\nMatchups: Western Michigan vs. Northeastern, March 25, noon, ESPNU; Minnesota vs. Massachusetts, March 25, 6 p.m., ESPNU; championship, March 27, 4 p.m.\/6:30 p.m., ESPN2<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. WESTERN MICHIGAN<\/h4>\n

How they got here<\/strong>: At-large bid<\/p>\n

Overall season record<\/strong>: 25-11-1<\/p>\n

Top players<\/strong>: F Drew Worrad (9-35-44), F Ethen Frank (26-12-38), D Ronnie Attard (13-23-36), G Brandon Bussi (25-11-1, 2.60 GAA, .910 SV%)<\/p>\n

Why they will advance to the Frozen Four<\/strong>: The Broncos\u2019 top-end players would be top-end anywhere, and WMU won five straight before running into a hot goalie in the NCHC playoff final.<\/p>\n

Why they won\u2019t advance to the Frozen Four<\/strong>: For having a No. 1 regional seed, Western didn\u2019t get a very kind draw. Minnesota is dangerous, UMass is the defending national champion and Northeastern certainly wouldn\u2019t mind continuing its season in a couple of weeks right up the road.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ben Meyers has had a stellar season for Minnesota and also played on the United States Olympic team (photo: Minnesota Athletics).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. MINNESOTA<\/h4>\n

How they got here<\/strong>: At-large bid<\/p>\n

Overall season record<\/strong>: 24-12-0<\/p>\n

Top players<\/strong>: F Ben Meyers (16-21-37), F Blake McLaughlin (12-20-32), G Justen Close (12-4-0, 1.89 GAA, .928 SV%)<\/p>\n

Why they will advance to the Frozen Four<\/strong>: Big Ten tournament final aside, the Gophers have been one of the hottest teams in the country for the second half of the season and they possess a lot of experience from last year\u2019s team that just missed the Frozen Four.<\/p>\n

Why they will not advance to the Frozen Four<\/strong>: The majority of the games in the second half were against conference opponents and the Gophers went 2-4 in the fall against nonconference opponents that also made the tournament. It\u2019s possible the Gophers found a formula that worked against Big Ten opponents.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Matt Murray earned the vast majority of starts between the pipes this season for UMass (photo: Rich Gagnon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. MASSACHUSETTS<\/h4>\n

How they got here<\/strong>: Won Hockey East tournament championship<\/p>\n

Overall season record<\/strong>: 22-12-2<\/p>\n

Top players<\/strong>: F Bobby Trivigno (20-28-48), D Scott Morrow (13-20-33), G Matt Murray (21-11-2, 2.27 GAA, .919 SV%)<\/p>\n

Why they will advance to the Frozen Four<\/strong>: Never count out the defending national champions, especially with Hockey East player of the year and Hobey Baker nominee Trivigno on the ice.<\/p>\n

Why they will not advance to the Frozen Four<\/strong>: The Minutemen were 0-4 against top teams from out of conference, losing twice each to Minnesota State and Michigan. Could be a struggle to get past Minnesota in tourney opener.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sam Colangelo has been a reliable, steady player this season for Northeastern (photo: Rich Gagnon).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. NORTHEASTERN<\/h4>\n

How they got here<\/strong>: At-large bid<\/p>\n

Overall season record<\/strong>: 25-12-1<\/p>\n

Top players<\/strong>: F Aiden McDonough (24-14-38), F Sam Colangelo (12-14-26), F Gunnarwolfe Fontaine (8-17-25), G Devon Levi (21-9-1, 1.52 GAA, .952 SV%)<\/p>\n

Why they will advance to the Frozen Four<\/strong>: The Huskies are always tough to beat when Hobey nominee Devon Levi is on his game and Aiden McDonough is in a scoring groove.<\/p>\n

Why they will not advance to the Frozen Four<\/strong>: Home ice (or close-to-home ice) is no guarantee of success. The last time the regionals were held in Worcester (2018), Michigan beat two Hockey East teams to advance to the Frozen Four.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WORCESTER REGIONAL When: Friday, March 25 & Sunday, March 27 Where: DCU Center, Worcester, Mass. Matchups: Western Michigan vs. Northeastern, March 25, noon, ESPNU; Minnesota vs. Massachusetts, March 25, 6 p.m., ESPNU; championship, March 27, 4 p.m.\/6:30 p.m., ESPN2 1. WESTERN MICHIGAN How they got here: At-large bid Overall season record: 25-11-1 Top players: F […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":89,"featured_media":128249,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[812,1682],"coauthors":[810,855,1664],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPreviewing the 2022 NCAA hockey tournament, Worcester Regional: Western Michigan, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Northeastern - College Hockey | USCHO.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"WORCESTER REGIONAL When: Friday, March 25 & Sunday, March 27 Where: DCU Center, Worcester, Mass. 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