The Frozen Four bracket is set, with some major twists. Teams from Boston and Michigan are in, but neither top-ranked Michigan State nor #2 Boston College made it through. It instead will be Western Michigan University and Boston University representing those regions. No slouches in their own right (those schools finished the season ranked #3 and #8, respectively), this still is attention-grabbing, especially when considering that BU was in MSU’s bracket & didn’t even have to face them to advance (Cornell beat the Spartans 4-3 in the first round).
Speaking of Boston College, defending national champion Denver University defeated the Eagles 3-1 in the regional final. That serves as yet another great addition to the resume of Denver head coach David Carle. Carle is considered by many to be a top candidate for an NHL coaching job, in light of his two national championships at Denver and consecutive gold medals at the world junior championship with Team USA. The Pioneers will face Western Michigan in the national semifinals.
Last but certainly not least is Penn State, which used a late-season surge to finish ranked #12 and squeeze into the tournament. The Nittany Lions have continued their stellar play to remain in the running for a title, coming through a bracket where all teams were ranked higher (Maine was #4, UConn #7, and Quinnipiac #11). Penn State will face Boston University in the semis.
Good luck to these players in St. Louis, they definitely have earned it.