NCAA Hockey: Comprehensive Tournament Preview

Northeast Regionals

Location: Manchester, NH

Dates: March 29-30

(1) Massachusetts Minutemen

How they got here: At-Large Bid (Hockey East Semifinalists)

NCAA Ranking: #4

Player to watch: Cale Makar (So – D)

For the first time in a long time, the state of Massachusetts will not be represented in the tournament by Boston University or Boston College – instead, it will be the U Mass Minutemen, the regular season Hockey East champions, looking to win their first national title.

If this team seems to have come out of nowhere, it is because they basically have. This is only their second ever appearance in the NCAA Hockey tournament, and first since 2007.

This renaissance has been led by 2017 4th overall draft pick and Colorado Avalanche prospect Cale Makar, who has had an absolutely tremendous season. Thanks to him, the Minutemen are a top-10 team in the country in both goals for and goals against.

Possession-wise, Massachusetts are one of the best teams in the country, with a 57% shot attempts percentage. Their power play is clicking at almost 29%, while their penalty kill is also elite at over 87%.

Even their goaltending is a strength. Starter Matt Murray has posted a solid .912 save percentage, and backup Filip Lindberg is more than capable of stepping in when necessary.

The Minutemen may have just arrived to the big stage, but they are absolutely a force to be reckoned with. Do not take this team lightly.

(2) Clarkson Golden Knights

How they got here: ECAC Champions

NCAA Ranking: #7

Player to watch: Jake Kielly (Jr – G)

Speaking of teams searching for their first NCAA Hockey championship, three-time finalists Clarkson are back in the big dance and looking dangerous, after winning the ECAC title in overtime over Cornell.

The Golden Knights are an interesting team, in that they have a clear standout up front and in net. Nico Sturm has been a force offensively, but it is likely that their tournament hopes rest on the back of Jake Kielly, who has been one of the best keepers in the country over the last two years.

The play of the goaltender is made even more important given how poor Clarkson has been possession-wise all season. They are in the bottom half of the country in shot attempts percentage, meaning Kielly has to come up big for them.

Still, in a single-elimination tournament, a hot goaltender can make all the difference. That is what Clarkson will be relying on.

(3) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

How they got here: Big Ten Champions

NCAA Ranking: #12

Player to watch: Cale Morris (Jr – G)

One year after making a run to the NCAA Hockey finals on the back of their goaltender, Notre Dame will likely be looking for the same thing this year after sneaking into the tournament by winning the Big Ten.

Last year, the Fighting Irish were the second-overall seed, but their were issues. They seemed to be relying too much on their goaltending, that a poor performance could do them in. This year, they are in the same position, and would like to silence their doubters again.

Notre Dame are middle-of-the-pack offensively and defensively. They routinely get dominated in terms of possession. All of this was true last year, but it did not matter, because Cale Morris turned into a brick wall in net.

Morris may be even better this year, which bodes well for an offensively impotent Notre Dame squad. Their chances lie completely on him. At least they got a relatively easy first-round draw with Clarkson.

(4) Harvard Crimson

How they got here: At-Large Bid (ECAC Semifinalists)

NCAA Ranking: #13

Player to watch: Adam Fox (Jr – D)

After making the Frozen Four two season ago, Harvard missed the NCAA Hockey tournament last season. After an inconsistent year, the Crimson are back and looking to return to the semifinals.

Like a lot of ECAC teams, Harvard plays with a solid defensive structure, but are just average offensively. However, they are pretty good possession-wise, and are led by Adam Fox, the Carolina Hurricanes prospect who is one of the best offensive defensemen in the tournament.

Between this, and their solid goaltending, this is not a team that “wows” you. However, they play the right way, and with a decent draw could surprise people. Unfortunately, U Mass is not a decent draw, and beating them will be a tall task for Harvard.