The NCAA Frozen Four is set to kick off, and two historic programs will battle for a chance to play for the National Championship. The Michigan Wolverines and the Quinnipiac Bobcats will square off at 8 ET on Thursday in the second of a semifinal doubleheader, all with a spot in the National Championship on the line.
Quinnipiac and Michigan to show down in the NCAA Frozen Four Semifinal
No one thought Penn State would still be in it at the Allentown Regional final a week ago, certainly not the Michigan Wolverines. The top-ranked team that smashed their previous opponent struggled to put the puck in the net. A late goal tied it and going into OT, Adam Fantilli guaranteed victory. Just 52 seconds into the do-or-die frame, Mackie Samoskevich sent the Wolverines into the Frozen Four.
It’s the second year in a row in the NCAA Frozen Four for the Michigan Wolverines, who were eliminated in the semifinals last season by the eventual champion Denver Pioneers. But that was last season, and the Wolverines didn’t have the second best player in the NHL draft then.
Everyone is aware of the heroics of Adam Fantilli this season. Just when Michigan needed a spark against the Nittany Lions, he was there to deliver. Fantilli is looking to add a national championship to his already impressive resume.
The ship hasn’t nearly been as smooth sailing for the Quinnipiac Bobcats. The last time the Bobcats were in this position, they were in the same building. In the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four Championship, the Bobcats lost in Tampa to the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. For a program that has never won a national championship, this year might be the final straw.
The Bobcats are a defensive team, led by their sophomore goaltender Yaniv Perets. Perets shone in the Bridgeport NCAA Regional Final against the Ohio State Buckeyes, stopping 34 of 35 shots to send the Bobcats back to the NCAA Frozen Four. The goaltender currently has a .932 save percentage and a 1.46 GAA.
The Wolverines are exactly the opposite. Seven players on their roster have scored more than 30 points this season, with Fantilli leading the way this season with 64. Half of their forward lines have been drafted into the NHL, along with all but two defensemen.
Prediction: Michigan won’t let what happened against Penn State happen again. The Bobcats have good defense, but the Wolverines are an All-Star team.
4-1, Michigan