• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
College Hockey
NCAA

7 Players to Watch in the National Championship

By Dustin Nelson April 9th, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

TAMPA, Fla. — The NCAA Frozen Four comes to an end Saturday as the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks face the Quinnipiac Bobcats for the national championship.

It’s a match between one of the most storied collegiate hockey programs in the country and a relatively new entry into Division I. It’s a match between a team laden with top individual talent and NHL draft picks facing a team without that same recruiting power, putting together a strong team game focused on a system.

North Dakota

Cam Johnson
The North Dakota goaltender has had a record-setting season, posting the best save percentage in school history. A box score of the semifinal win over the University of Denver won’t tell you how good Johnson was, but he made a lopsided possession affair tilt in favor of the Fighting Hawks.

Against Denver, North Dakota was out-possessed (all-situation CF% of 40.2%), even though shots were even at 23. Lots of the game, especially earn on, developed off the rush and Denver wound up getting more Grade-A Chances. Johnson was a difference maker for North Dakota and probably put in the best performance of any goaltender in the Frozen Four’s opening day.

Denver nearly opened up the scoring, but Cam Johnson was… well, Cam Johnson! #FrozenFour pic.twitter.com/LXsHMRZmXB

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 8, 2016

Drake Caggiula, Brock Boeser and Nick Schmaltz
The “CBS” line came as advertised against Denver. Drake Caggiula scored the game’s first two goals, to give North Dakota a 2-0 lead they carried into the third period.

After Denver evened the score, it was Nick Schmaltz who scored with 56.8 seconds left in the game to give the Fighting Hawks the game.

Each player of this trio is averaging well over a point per game and showed in Thursday’s game that they can be the difference. It’s been that way all year, and shouldn’t change for Saturday’s national championship. It’d be a big statement for first-year coach Brad Berry to get the championship and the “CBS” line could deliver it.

Nick Schmaltz gives UND the lead pic.twitter.com/7JUuZmAsR8

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) April 8, 2016

Quinnipiac

Devon Toews
The stalwart defenseman and Islanders draft pick was all smiles in Friday’s press conference. He bounced back every question about the “CBS” line with thoughts on how the team would stick to playing their game, which means that they want everyone taking care of their own zone and creating an aggressive forecheck.

[pull_quote_right author=”Devon Toews”]I think they present challenges like Harvard’s top line and Boston College’s top line… We’ve got to play our game and get in their face, take away their time and space, and we’ll be fine.[/pull_quote_right]Toews had a strong game Thursday and should be a big factor if Quinnipiac is going to find their way to their first-ever national championship.

Connor Clifton
He doesn’t have the profile of Toews, but Clifton was excellent in Thursday’s semifinal. Shutting down Boston College was no small feat, and Quinnipiac was able to do it.

Their penalty kill was impressive and their ability to keep Boston from moving the puck through the center of the ice was wildly impressive. Clifton was a huge part of that, breaking up plays and being a pesky physical presence. If he carries any individual momentum over the semifinal, he could make a big impact on this game.

Michael Garteig
Through 42 games this season Garteig put up a .926 save percentage and eight shutouts, second only to Mike Richter Award winner Thatcher Demko. The senior is in his third year of full-time duty and will remember the only other time Quinnipiac made it to the Frozen Four and the crushing disappointment that brought.

Quinnipiac has plenty of offensive weapons in Sam Anas, Landon Smith and others, but their defense and goaltending are strong and will be a key to the game. As Denver found out in the semifinal, you can outplay North Dakota and still lose because the “CBS” line is that good.

The Bobcats will have to handle the “CBS” line to win. They won’t win a shootout between the two teams, but can beat just about anyone in the country when they’re playing their game.

WHAT A SAVE‼️

One for the ages… Michael Garteig. #FrozenFour pic.twitter.com/PwWOa4A4ks

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 7, 2016

  • Tags
  • Brock Boeser
  • Cam Johnson
  • Devon Toews
  • Drake Caggiula
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 22nd 6:25 PM
Column

Winnipeg Jets News & Rumors: Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Ehlers & Connor

Jan 22nd 5:35 PM
Advanced Stats

Kings’ Anze Kopitar Still Has Trade Value, But Big Cap Hit Hurts

Jan 22nd 5:25 PM
Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets Held Back By John Tortorella’s Stubbornness

Jan 22nd 5:15 PM
Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers Newcomers Finding Their Roles

Jan 22nd 5:05 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ New Third Pairing Paying Early Dividends

Jan 22nd 4:55 PM
Winnipeg Jets

Jets Could Use Heinola’s Offensive Skill & Hockey IQ for Seasons to Come

Jan 22nd 4:45 PM
Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes Must Improve After COVID-19 Pause

Jan 22nd 4:30 PM
Nashville Predators

Predators’ Power Play Lacks A Lot

Jan 22nd 4:20 PM
Women's Hockey

Meet the NWHL’s EBUG: Mariah Fujimagari

Jan 22nd 4:10 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Rewarded Early by New Top Line of Tkachuk, Lindholm & Dube

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information