The NCAA Men’s Hockey tournament bracket is finally set, and college hockey fans are soon in for some great matchups. The 16 teams were announced on Sunday, and the action kicks off this Thursday in Fargo/Toledo. The four regional sites, Manchester, Allentown, Fargo, and Toledo, will host games from March 27-30, setting the stage for what will surely be another great Frozen Four beginning April 10.
This year’s bracket brings a couple of unexpected teams, with Bentley and UConn making their NCAA Tournament debuts. Let’s take a closer look at these two programs and how they got here.
Bentley Falcons
Bentley secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth with an impressive 6-3 win over Holy Cross in the Atlantic Hockey Championship last week. Under second-year head coach Andy Jones, the Falcons have reached an unfamiliar place. Jones has prior experience on the big stage, having been part of a Frozen Four run as an assistant at Massachusetts-Lowell earlier in his career.
UConn Huskies
The Huskies earned their at-large bid despite a 5-2 loss to Maine in the Hockey East Championship. With a sixth overall PairWise ranking, UConn’s consistent performance this season has earned them a well-deserved place in the tournament. As first-timers, the Huskies have the potential to make some noise in the Allentown Regional.
Fargo Regional
Western Michigan vs Minnesota State (Thursday, 4 p.m. CT, ESPN-U)
Winner: Western Michigan
This is one matchup you don’t want to miss. It might not have the same hype as some other games, but it will surely be an interesting clash between two different teams. I find this to be “the” underrated game of the regional semifinal slate.
The Broncos have been an absolute force in the NCHC this season, combining size, skill, and outstanding goaltending, dominating the conference all season. Alex Bump, in particular, has been great, quietly emerging as the best player in the NCHC this season, in my eyes. His contributions are a huge part of Western Michigan’s success, and his blend of talent and leadership sets him apart. Miami’s Anthony Noreen, for example, called the Broncos “the best team we faced all year” after being swept by them late this season, and when I watched them in person up in Oxford, they were just as advertised.
The Mavericks are still on the hunt for their first NCAA championship in program history as they enter their 12th tournament appearance. They have been a force in the CCHA for a while, though, earning a spot in six of the last seven NCAA tournaments.
Minnesota State is no stranger to strong defensive play, with a heavy defensive core and junior goalie Alex Tracy as the cornerstone of their success. With a 1.43 goals-against average (lowest nationally) and a .945 save percentage (SV%), he makes scoring feel impossible.
This one could be a low-scoring grind, with the Broncos scraping by in a 2-1 nail-biter, as my prediction.
Minnesota vs UMass (Thursday, 7:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2)
Winner: UMass
Minnesota is entering the tournament cold after an 18-day layoff following their Big Ten quarterfinals loss to Notre Dame. The Gophers will need to find their rhythm fast if they want to advance, which will be tough in the first period vs a fast UMass squad.
When they’re at their best, the Gophers are among the most dangerous teams in the country. Hobey Baker finalist Jimmy Snuggerud leads the charge with 22 goals and 49 points, while Connor Kurth and Matthew Wood contribute 17 goals apiece. Add Big Ten Defenseman of the Year Sam Rinzel to the mix, and you have a team with top-tier talent at both ends of the ice.
But don’t sleep on UMass forward Cole O’Hara. He has been the cornerstone of their offense this season, and his outstanding 22-29—51 stat line reflects his importance to the team. Despite being overlooked by the Hobey Baker Award nominating committee, O’Hara and UMass have proven time and again that they’re capable of pulling off surprises.
While Minnesota may have more individual star power, the Gophers’ long layoff could come back to haunt them. I see UMass taking advantage of Minnesota’s lack of sharpness early in the first period, pulling off a win to advance.
Western Michigan was easily the best college hockey team I watched this season, mainly because of their physicality and speed on both ends. With a lineup full of fast, heavy players who bring relentless energy to every shift, they control the ice better than all teams, in my opinion. If any team is primed to break through to the Frozen Four this year, it’s Western Michigan, and honestly, I’d be surprised if they don’t finally get over the hump, maybe even winning it all.
Regional Winner: Western Michigan
Toledo Regional
Boston University vs Ohio State (Thursday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN-U)
Winner: Ohio State
Boston University has been solid under Jay Pandolfo, making it to the Frozen Four in both of his first two seasons as head coach, though they’ve stumbled in the semifinals each time. This year, the Terriers are back with a roster full of talent. Quinn and Cole Hutson lead the charge as the team’s top scorers, while New York Islanders’ first-rounder Cole Eiserman adds firepower with 21 goals. Between the pipes, the Terriers turned to Mikhail Yegorov mid-season after Mathieu Caron hit a rough patch, and Yegorov has been lights-out, boasting a .931 SV% in just 14 games.
Ohio State, led by Steve Rohlik, has been exceeding expectations this season. After finishing last in the Big Ten in the 2023-24 season, they were projected to struggle again, but instead, they rose to third place, making it to the Big Ten Tournament final.
Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, a transfer from Northeastern, has stood out for the Buckeyes, along with impressive freshman Riley Thompson. The Buckeyes’ toughness and unexpected rise make them a team worth watching as they take the ice against a long-time powerhouse like BU.
I think this will be another close game, but I will give the edge to the Buckeyes because of their resume.
Michigan State vs Cornell (Thursday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Winner: Michigan State
Michigan State has secured a No. 1 seed for the second consecutive year, and they’ve certainly earned it. The Spartans are riding high after a wild double-overtime victory against Ohio State, clinching their second straight Big Ten Tournament championship.
Isaac Howard has been the driving force for the Spartans’ offense and is easily one of the top forwards in college hockey. His knack for delivering in huge moments was on full display during Saturday’s Big Ten championship game, scoring his 26th goal of the season in double overtime to secure the Big 10 title for Michigan State.
In net, Trey Augustine stands out with an impressive stat line. Augustine’s experience, despite being a sophomore, in high-pressure situations makes him a cornerstone for the team, with his .927 SV% so far this season.
Cornell, on the other hand, comes into the tournament with some momentum after a wild comeback ECAC championship win over #18 Clarkson. They’ve clinched back-to-back ECAC tournament championships, and in both cases, the stakes couldn’t have been higher, as they needed those titles to earn their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
However, I think the Spartans’ offensive firepower will prove too much for the Big Red in this one and would be in another Big Ten Championship rematch if that were the case.
Regional Winner: Michigan State
Manchester Regional
Boston College vs Bentley (Friday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN-U)
Winner: Boston College
Boston College vs Bentley is not a typical matchup either team is used to. Boston College has arguably been the best team in college hockey most of the season with a 26-7-2 record, which included an 18-4-2 record in conference play, won the Hockey East regular season title, appeared in the Hockey East Quarterfinals, and has been nationally ranked the entire season, no lower than number four. Boston College is looking to return to the Frozen Four for the second season. Last season, the Eagles made it to the national championship, where they fell short to Denver 2-0.
Bentley (23-14-2) is making their first trip to the NCAA tournament, but they will have their work cut out for them against the Eagles on Friday afternoon. Ethan Leyh is Bentley’s leading scorer with 40 points. He’s in his second season with the Falcons after playing three with Quinnipiac. Junior goaltender Connor Hasley has suited up for 35 games for the Falcons, putting up a phenomenal 1.95 GAA and a SV% of .923.
Looking on paper, the Eagles should take this one, especially since Ryan Leonard leads the nation with 29 goals, while goaltender Jacob Fowler has been one of the best between the pipes all season, with the second-lowest GAA nationally (1.64). Linemate Gabe Perreault is tied with Leonard in points with 47. BC also has given up the second-lowest number of goals in the NCAA this season, 61, only trailing Minnesota State by five.
However, one can’t rule out an upset, as BC did lose to Northeastern in the Hockey East Quarterfinals, but I still project the Eagles to move onto the championship game largely due to their high-powered forward group, but Bentley’s star netminder, Connor Hasley will surely not be going down without a fight.
Providence vs Denver (Friday, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Winner: Denver
Denver brings star power to the ice with two Hobey Baker Award finalists, Jack Devine and Zeev Buium. Devine has been nothing short of spectacular, leading the nation with 56 points, while Buium anchors the defense with an impressive 11-32—43 stat line and an average of 26 minutes of ice time per game. The Pioneers started the season on fire with a 12-game winning streak but encountered their share of challenges as the season unfolded. Most recently, they suffered a heartbreaking double overtime loss in the NCHC final, blowing a 3-0 third-period lead to the Broncos, a game they’d surely love back.
Depth is another strength for Denver, with senior forward Carter King netting 20 goals and sophomore Sam Harris leading with 22. Aidan Thompson has chipped in 19 goals, while Eric Pohlkamp provides some production from the back end. The Pioneers’ mix of star talent and depth makes them a real contender once again.
Providence might not have the flashiest stats, but they’ve been solid and consistent all season long. Goalie Philip Svedebäck has been a rock in the net with a .915 SV%, and his performance will be the deciding factor vs Denver. First-round pick Trevor Connelly hasn’t had the season he hoped for, though, playing only 22 games with four goals and a minus-12 rating. Still, he’s the kind of player who could flip the switch when it counts. The same goes for many of their forwards, while their top scorers have just 11 goals each, there’s always potential for a breakout when the stakes are high.
I think this one will be a tight game, but I see a 2024 championship game rematch on the horizon for the Manchester Regional final.
Boston College was a number one overall seed last year as well, but lost in the final game, 2-0, to Denver, and honestly, I predict it will happen again. Don’t take my word for it, but I just think Denver has that “clutch” factor that most teams don’t have, despite their struggles earlier this season.
Regional Winner: Denver
Allentown Regional
Maine vs Penn State (Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Winner: Maine
Much like the Toledo Regional, this bracket holds the potential for a rematch of the recent conference tournament final between Maine and Connecticut, the top two seeds. Maine ended a 21-year title drought with their victory over UConn to claim the Hockey East tournament championship last week.
Interestingly, Maine’s matchup against Penn State is the two programs’ first-ever meeting. Maine’s success this season has been built on a foundation of strong defense and the stellar play of goaltender Albin Boija, a Richter Award finalist. Offensively, forwards Harrison Scott and Taylor Makar have led the charge, each contributing 18 goals so far.
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I think Maine will win this one comfortably, especially given Penn State’s defensive struggles—they’ve allowed 114 goals across 37 games this season, which doesn’t give me much confidence in them. Offensively, Penn State is strong, ranking seventh nationally with 130 goals, but Maine isn’t far behind in scoring. I believe that Maine’s offense will take full advantage of the Nittany Lions’ defensive weaknesses. With Maine’s solid defensive play and standout goaltending from Richter Award finalist Albin Boija, I’m confident the Black Bears have everything it takes to win this one.
UConn vs Quinnipiac (Friday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN-U)
Winner: UConn
UConn and Quinnipiac previously faced off earlier this year in the Connecticut Ice Tournament, where the Huskies emerged victorious with a narrow 2-1 overtime win.
Quinnipiac is no stranger to the NCAA tournament, having won their first-ever title in 2023. The two teams already met earlier this year at the Connecticut Ice Tournament, where UConn came out on top in a tight 2-1 overtime thriller. That game was a masterclass in tight-checking, low-scoring hockey, and we should expect more of the same in this one.
While Quinnipiac will rely on their systems and prior tournament experience, UConn’s ability to step up in big-time moments makes them dangerous. I think UConn will pull off another close win to continue their historic season.
If UConn and Maine square off in the regional final, I’d expect a battle where every inch of the ice is hard-fought, and goals come at a premium. Both teams are also great at shutting opponents down, with elite goaltending on both sides.
Albin Boija is a huge reason why Maine has been so successful this season, with a .930 SV% in 36 games played. As a Richter Award finalist, he’s been a wall in net and would likely be the difference-maker in a game like this. Offensively, Maine is led by Harrison Scott and Taylor Makar (18 goals each), which could give them a slight edge. But UConn’s resilience and balanced scoring make this a tough call. In the end, I’d lean toward Maine to claim this regional, primarily because of their elite goaltending and ability to grind out close games, but surely the Huskies won’t go out easily.
Regional Winner: Maine
Will I get all my picks right? Probably not. But one thing’s for sure, this year’s tournament won’t disappoint. It never does.
