2021 NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament TV Ratings

With some familiar names to Frozen Four audiences, the 2021 NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament ended up bouncing back from a disastrous 2019.

Saturday's national championship game between Massachusetts and St. Cloud State, which saw the Minutemen shut out the Huskies 5-0 for the school's first men's hockey national championship, drew 435K viewers (and a .23 household rating and .13 18-49 demo rating) on ESPN. That total is up from the 321,000 viewers who watched the 2019 national championship game between Massachusetts and Minnesota Duluth.

The number is higher than the 402K number in 2013 when Yale hoisted the trophy over Quinnipiac, the last time the Frozen Four was hosted in Pittsburgh. However, that is the only other championship besides 2019 in that time period that drew a lower viewership than 2021's total.

This follows a Frozen Four semifinal round that saw a mixed bag ratings-wise. The early contest between in-state rivals Minnesota State and St. Cloud State drew an average of 117K viewers and a .03 18-49 demo rating. It's down from the 195K and .07 for UMD-Providence in 2019 and the lowest-rated Frozen Four semifinal on ESPN2 since 2004.

On the other side, the late game between Massachusetts and Minnesota Duluth, which did not end until Garrett Wait's OT winner at 12:15 AM ET, drew an average of 266K viewers and a .07 in the demo. Besides being Thursday's highest-rated program on ESPN2, the rematch outdrew the 213K/.06 for UMass-Denver two years ago. That game also went to overtime.

Despite featuring three BCS programs (Boston College, Minnesota, Wisconsin) and a proven college hockey TV draw in North Dakota as the top four overall seeds, none of the NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament's No. 1 seeds made it to Pittsburgh. It also did not help that national brands Michigan and Notre Dame, meanwhile, both withdrew from the tournament prior to playing due to Covid protocols.

However, 2021 did get some help compared to 2019's lows. Thursday night's game was ongoing during a time when all NHL games ended. In 2019, the Frozen Four needed to compete both nights with the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The 5 pm/9 pm local time (8:30 before 2018) semifinal time slot has been in place since 2014. In addition, Saturday's pregame show drew 252K viewers.

Frozen Four Championship Game Ratings (Since 2009):

2021: 435,000 (Massachusetts vs. St. Cloud State)

2020: No Tournament

2019: 321,000 (Minnesota Duluth vs. Massachusets)

2018: 653,000 (Minnesota Duluth vs. Notre Dame)

2017: 467,000 (Denver vs. Minnesota Duluth)

2016: 541,000 (North Dakota vs. Quinnipiac)**

2015: 635,000 (Providence vs. Boston University)

2014: 717,000 (Union vs. Minnesota)

2013: 402,000 (Yale vs. Quinnipiac)*

2012: 353,000 (Boston College vs. Ferris State)**

2011: 624,000 (Minnesota Duluth vs. Michigan)

2010: 526,000 (Boston College vs. Wisconsin)

2009: 656,000 (Boston University vs. Miami)

*This table uses total households from 2009-2013 and viewers from 2014-onward.

**Game aired on ESPN2 rather than ESPN

Regional Rounds:

In the regional rounds, five of the eight games on TV charted among the top-150 cable shows, which is four more than 2019. 

Sunday regional final games Minnesota-Minnesota State (216K on ESPN2) and Boston College-St. Cloud State (214K on ESPN2) each averaged above the 200K mark. 

Meanwhile, the 5 OT Saturday night classic between North Dakota and Minnesota Duluth drew an average of 167K viewers on ESPNU. To put it in context, that is the second-highest rated game on ESPNU since 2015. Only a 2017 NCAA Tournament game between Minnesota and Notre Dame drew more viewers and that game was on a Saturday afternoon rather than ending at 1:40 AM ET.

The other two games that charted were Wisconsin-Bemidji State (137K on ESPN2 in the 1 pm ET Friday slot) and UMass-Bemidji State (82K on ESPNU in the Saturday 5 pm ET slot).

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Column: In a year that needed one, Massachusetts writes the perfect hockey movie ending

In the Disney movie that will inevitably be made about this year's NCAA Division 1 men's hockey national champion, Massachusetts, there will be no shortage of dramatic moments to choose and highlight. 

Obvious ones exist, like losing the team's top goalscorer and goaltender right before the semifinal rematch against the two-time defending champions, the team that ended the Minutemen's dream in 2019. Coming back against that UMD team. The overtime winner from an unlikely combination, a Minnesota transfer in a tournament featuring three schools from the "State of Hockey" and the player suspended from the 2019 championship game. 

Getting back both top players prior to the championship game would be another dramatic high. So would Phillip Lagunov's highlight-reel shorthanded goal, crescendoing into the ultimate highlight of UMass shutting out St. Cloud State 5-0 and winning the national championship for the first time in school history.

Heck, this season itself, more than any, is one giant dose of drama that requires resilience weekly. 

This year's tournament ended up being unique with three teams eliminated by outside forces instead of inside an ice rink. The national champion was always going to be the team that survived the circumstances the best. In the end, that was Massachusetts. 

There is no asterisk on this title, just a slightly longer conversation about why this year's national championship is different than any other. That would be the case no matter who won. To not would be a disservice to the worthy champions who went through a year unlike any other, one featuring additional challenges on top of any normal ones any champion faces. 

Still, what makes Massachusetts' 2021 national championship is how normal the Minutemen's run felt in a season and NCAA Tournament that was anything but. 

UMass ended up being a dominant team, going unbeaten in its final 14 games and registering comparisons to 2014 Union or 2017 Denver's recent runs. Filip Lindberg allowed one goal in three games (Matt Murray allowed two in the UMD OT win) and the team scored 17 goals. After surviving an early shot off the crossbar and several St. Cloud State opportunities, Massachusetts went to work surgically taking apart a Huskies team that no one else was able to keep from coming back.

On the ice was enough of a story that it would be easy to overlook how Lindberg was not available for the semifinal, or the personal toll a yearlong global pandemic has taken. Head coach Greg Carvel mentioned it postgame, discussing how his father-in-law, a UMass philosophy professor, had recently passed away, in addition to Maine head coach Red Gendron, who passed away suddenly Friday, a one-time Massachusetts assistant. 

(College hockey honored Gendron with a moment of silence before the championship game.)

Carvel's team was bigger than its individual parts yet it would be wrong to ignore the talent of some of those individuals. Lindberg broke several NCAA Tournament records. Bobby Trivigno and Marc Del Gaizo showed their development from 2019. Zac Jones and Matthew Kessel developed into the next big Minuteman D while Carson Gicewicz and Garrett Wait became the latest transfers to make their mark. 

The best teams in college hockey in this era feature a mix of NHL-ready talent, college experience, high-end goaltending, and veteran leadership. Carvel built upon the Cale Makar/John Leonard/Mario Ferraro trio to get where he is now. It's no surprise that the Massachusetts championship team was one that does not feature a Hobey Baker Award winner or top national goalscorer.

It's hard not to be happy when Saturday's game concluded for all the UMass writers and fans I've known over the years. The program's recent success has been built upon flashes of fantastic moments surrounded by decades of despair. Winning a national championship becomes that much sweeter when the destination is paved with heartbreak, making it fitting for it to come following a season and program that captured all the highs and lows of college hockey,

Personally, however, the Massachusetts movie moment that sticks out features none of the current players. It involves a win, the only one the Minutemen had in a 23-game stretch to end a five-win 2016-17 season.

At the time, UMass snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating Alabama Huntsville 2-1 in OT at the Mariucci Classic. It was not as close as the score indicated. UAH, who went on to win nine games all season, dominated possession and shots, outshooting the Minutemen 30-19. The only shot UMass had in OT was the one that went in.

Despite winning, it was not a celebratory postgame with Coach Carvel. He was not happy with the performance, pointing out his best player on the ice was Brett Boeing, who played his first game transferring in from Michigan Tech. In his first season at UMass, it was nowhere near where he wanted to be. He made that apparent. After the postgame talk, he said there were future plans. He liked who was coming in next season and knew where this program was going. Things would be better.

Again, this was the high point in the midst of one giant low.

I remember coming away from the conversation impressed with Carvel, but also thinking, "I can't believe he left St. Lawrence for this. Hope he's right because it's a story I've heard too many times before." 

Turns out, this is one story I had not. Carvel was right. Boeing ended his career as one of four 2016-17 players playing in the 2019 national title game, the rest graduating or cut. As for his coach, things were better, going from one win in his final 23 games of his first year at UMass, to four at the end of Carvel's fifth season, leading the Minutemen to a national championship and sustained program success.

And the perfect movie ending.

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2021 Frozen Four: 4 Thoughts From A Classic Pair Of Frozen Four Semifinals

Maybe it is because the Minnesota High School Hockey Tournament just happened last week. Maybe it is because there were three Minnesota teams. Regardless, the Frozen Four had a real "The Tourney" feel.

The unofficial North Star College Cup kicked off Thursday with an early semifinal between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State that saw the Huskies win 5-4. SCSU will face Massachusetts, who defeated two-time defending champion Minnesota Duluth 3-2 in overtime, for Saturday's national championship. One of these two teams will be the first first-time national champion since Yale in 2013.

Watching three Minnesota teams represent the Gopher State in the Frozen Four is a proud moment. College hockey continues to grow, as does hockey in America. It no longer is the land of East vs. West, of Minnesota vs. Massachusetts (albeit in a Frozen Four featuring solely Minnesota and Massachusetts teams, still, none were Minnesota nor BU).

The sport keeps growing and getting better yet the Minnesota community model continues to work. The 2021 Frozen Four caps off what has been a decade of success throughout the state.

It's also something seen in the HS Tournament. Seeing three teams Thursday from three different parts of the state representing their sections, at times was a blast from the past. The 2015 and 2020 Minnesota Mr. Hockeys were on the ice. Minnesota State had its Elk River connection with Jake Jaremko and Reggie Lutz (newly signed Florida Panther and North Dakota D Matt Kiersted was also on that 2015 team, who didn't even make the tourney). Ryan Sandelin knows a few things about winning at Hermantown, as does UMD's Cole Koepke. Several others who made HS Tournament memories popped up throughout the night.

All in all, it was a cool night to be a Minnesotan watching college hockey, even if the team I regularly cover more than any other was not one of the participants.

Here are four more thoughts:

1. It was unfortunate a team had to lose an entertaining game between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State.

In fact, the real loser of Thursday's opening semifinal was the "Minnesota State and St. Cloud State can't show up in the NCAA Tournament" narrative. May it be dead for good.

After both teams spent the regional rounds coming back from early deficits, both came back against one another Thursday, Once again, the Mavericks erased a 3-1 lead thanks in part to Nathan Smith and a pair of seniors. Dallas Gerad gave Minnesota State the lead by crashing the net and being in the right place at the right time for a Walker Duehr pass. Despite the end result, Mike Hastings' team can leave with their heads held high. It would have been easy for the game to be over at 3-1, or after St. Cloud State scored 10 seconds following a Maverick goal. In the end, Minnesota State outshot the Huskies after a slow opening 5-7 minutes.

However, the win goes to St. Cloud State getting its Virginia men's basketball moment of postseason redemption. The Huskies, winning after trailing for the third time in three games, reached its first-ever national championship game with a last-minute goal and a third-period comeback.

Two years ago, the Huskies were the No. 1 overall seed and lost in the opening round. Three years ago, the Huskies were the No. 1 overall seed and lost in the opening round. Five years ago, the Huskies were the No. 2 overall seed and lost in the opening round. When I did the "60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less)" series, St. Cloud State's entry had the following for the closing thoughts:

No team's accomplished what SCSU did - both good and bad. Without diving into stats and how the program develops diamonds in the rough alongside first-round picks, the Huskies were 2018-19's ideal college hockey team. St. Cloud State, winning the difficult NCHC by nearly 20 points, didn't peak too early and never could be counted out of games. However, once the NCAA Tournament hit, the team looked unrecognizable to the one who dominated all season. 

Both regular-season and postseason success matter. However, unfortunately for SCSU what happens in April matters enough where the Huskies won't be the Minnesota school remembered the most over the last two seasons. Still, SCSU has done more than enough between October and mid-March to be a team that other fanbases want to beat instead of being numb about the upsets piling up. 

I hope, not out of spite, opposing fanbases buy AIC sweaters or bring up the loss more. My worry is, if ignored again, this marks yet another time, like Ferris State and Air Force before, where St. Cloud State's massive upset was brushed off nationally like no one cared. Hopefully, for SCSU's sake, opposing fanbases do. They should. At the end of the day, apathy at accomplishments is more disappointing than losing as the No. 1 overall seed in back-to-back years. 

 Instead of being Virginia basketball, the Huskies went from #GoHuskiesWOOOOO to #NoHuskiesWOOOOOF, repeating the same losing trick. Despite expecting Larson's squad to continue to be an annual NCHC regular-season contender, it's going to take a Cavalier-type turnaround in March/April to change perception.

Consider perception changed, Huskies fans.

2. Welcome to St. Cloud State hockey immortality, Nolan Walker.

For years, the Walker tip past Dryden McKay will be remembered and replayed in highlights. The game-winning goal with 53.2 seconds remaining was the final effort of a solid game from Walker, who continues to be St. Cloud State's most efficient forward in the postseason. The Anchorage native continues to create chances and set up others. He fed Kyler Kupka for the second SCSU goal before continuing what has become a recent Frozen Four semifinal tradition: scoring a last-minute game-winning goal. 

Since Justin Holl's infamous 0.6 goal in 2014 against North Dakota, there have now been four other last-minute winners. After Holl, Nick Schmaltz did it for the Fighting Hawks in 2016. Then it was UMD's Alex Iafallo against Harvard in 2017. Notre Dame's Jake Evans did it in 2018 in the final 6 seconds versus Michigan before Walker added his name to the list Thursday.

Like every team needs this time of year, St. Cloud State, missing Easton Brodzinski, needs its top players to step up. Walker did so, but he's not the only Huskies player to make their mark in Pittsburgh. On a day where fourth liners across both teams scored four goals, Joel Molenaar made the most of his first collegiate goal, tying the game at four with 9:46 remaining in regulation.

By the way, Molenaar is no stranger to championships. He helped lead Minnetonka to the 2018 Minnesota HS Class AA championship, scoring a goal (the eventual GWG) and dishing out two assists in the championship win against Duluth East.

3. Wait, wait don't tell me the Minnesota Duluth quest for a three-peat has ended?

Speaking of folks who are no strangers, Garrett Wait, the former Gopher forward who transferred to UMass during the last offseason, became the first person in 36 years to score an NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament overtime goal on the Bulldogs. It's great to see the Edina native find success on this big stage after helping lead Edina to a Class AA high school title as a sophomore. Wait, who committed in 2014 at age 16 to Don Lucia, never seemed to fit in with Bob Motzko's system. I'm happy for him.

Massachusetts, after dominating the overtime portion of the game, advances to its second consecutive national championship game after defeating the team who beat the Minutemen two years ago. Credit for the OT goal should also go to another player who wasn't there two years ago, Bobby Trivigno. The Walter Brown Award winner for the best American playing in New England missed the 2019 national championship game after being suspended for a hit against Denver. He did all the work, controlling the puck down low, coming out of nowhere and feeding Wait to cap a brilliant game for him.

3a. With a major storyline coming in being how UMass would be affected by losing its starting goaltender and leading scorer, the end result was: Not much.

Matt Murray (no, not that one) continued to play like Matt Murray in Pittsburgh (yes, that one) as expected. He kept the Minutemen in when needed during parts of the first and second period when Minnesota Duluth was at its best. Carson Gicewicz was missed - thankfully he and Filip Lindberg appear to be available for Saturday's championship game - but the key to Massachusetts' success has been its depth. That depth made itself known against the Bulldogs on Thursday night.

That is not to say Minnesota Duluth was anything but its Scott Sandelin-led best. Entering the game with one regulation win in its last eight games, the Bulldogs played like the favorites. 

This was postseason UMD at its best for 2.5 periods. Minnesota Duluth limited mistakes, blocked as many shots as it allowed through, and made its opponent work for every opportunity. When the Bulldogs trailed for the first time in 352:32 of NCAA Tournament gameplay, it was a matter of when not if, UMD would get the tying goal. Both came from similar spots, crashing the net and catching UMass in an awkward position.

In the end, Massachusetts' depth compared to Minnesota Duluth's use of a short bench was too much. Where it successfully worked in the five OT classic against North Dakota, the Minutemen were the much-rested team in overtime.

4. What does this mean to the Minnesota Duluth dynasty?

Trying to put together what Minnesota Duluth's run means will take some time. It's beyond impressive. Yet I don't think four consecutive Frozen Fours, three national titles in a decade, and a constant presence at the top of the NCAA Tournament in an age of parity can be truly appreciated for what it has been in the moment.

What makes the Minnesota Duluth dynasty is the consistency. Teams know the blueprint of how to beat UMD. Until Thursday, none were able in a four-year NCAA Tournament stretch. Even then, the second period and parts of the third period were vintage Bulldog hockey. UMass was suffocated in front of the net, given limited opportunities much like the 2019 championship game. Where most teams are unable to take advantage of the few mistakes and opportunities, the Minutemen eventually did. 

And despite that, it took plenty of work.

What impresses me about Minnesota Duluth, beyond the nine straight NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament wins and six straight OT wins since 2016, is how there is no one size fit all title recipe. The Bulldogs win in different ways and types of teams. Sandelin coached a blue line featuring five underclassmen to a title. He won one with the weight of the world expectations that come with being the defending champion. He built the 2017 team over a long stretch then turned around and survived heavy early losses that take teams multiple seasons to recover. This year's squad overachieved its expectations. 

More than anything, the mixture of NHL talent (both drafted and undrafted developed), experience, good goaltending, and veteran leadership that Sandelin thrives in is becoming the blueprint for college hockey success in this era. Teams need a Nick Swaney or a Karson Kuhlman. (It's also no surprise Minnesota Duluth's golden era comes directly after one with Hermantown and Duluth East, but that's another story.) We are seeing it in some ways Saturday night with the Sandelin coaching tree representing St. Cloud State and Brett Larson.

These are things that will stand out more and be appreciated with more time passing by. Plus, UMD's dynasty run is not over yet. 

Bonus Leftovers: The TV booth had a rough night at times with multiple mixups and missed names - Minnesota State (insert one of three new nicknames) forward Nathan Smith is forever known as Davis for some reason - but the ESPN intermission presentation was A+. There were no attempts to get away from the game or invoke Masters talk. I enjoyed Sean Ritchlin and Mike Mottau's analysis. It hit that sweet spot between placating college hockey diehards and getting casual fans up to speed. 

Minnesota Duluth being able to hide Ryan Fanti not being in Pittsburgh until right before gametime is some combination of ridiculous and coaching oneupmanship.

Not being at the Frozen Four in person for the first time in years was even more awkward than I thought it would be.

RIP WCHA men's hockey league.

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2021 Frozen Four: Why Your Team Can Win It All

Frozen Four week has arrived. 

After a season unlike any other, and an NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament regional weekend featuring all kinds of craziness on and off the ice, the final four teams hopefully will play for a national championship game berth on Thursday. 

(Hopefully, because this is 2021. There are no guarantees, as St. Lawrence, Notre Dame, and Michigan, unfortunately, know all too well. And now UMass does too.) 

UMass, Minnesota State, St. Cloud State, and Minnesota Duluth each got through regionals filled with upsets, comebacks, dominating performances, and legendary overtimes to get through to Pittsburgh. It would not be a surprise for any of these four teams to end Saturday night by lifting the national championship trophy.

Minnesota State and St. Cloud State face off in the opening semifinal at 5:00 pm ET/4:00 pm CT Thursday. Minnesota Duluth and Massachusetts, meanwhile, play at 9:00 pm ET/8:00 pm CT. ESPN2 carries both games.

Prior to the regionals, I previewed all 16 teams by how each will 1) win the national championship, and 2) lose in the first round. True to form, a No. 1 seed (Wisconsin) lost in the first round for the 15th straight NCAA Men's Hockey Tournament. (Another, Boston College, lost its first game after moving onto the regional final due to Notre Dame withdrawing.) This time around, I will be doing the same for non-pandemic-related reasons.

In addition, I am adding three more names to watch in addition to how cheerable each of the four teams is from a neutral fan perspective.

Massachusetts (18-5-4):

Why the Minutemen will win its first national championship: Of all four teams, Massachusetts looked the most dominant during its regional run. The Minutemen outscored its opponents by a combined 9-1 to extend its unbeaten streak to 12 games. Carson Gicewicz had four of those, extending his team-leading total to 17. Filip Lindberg again showed why he is deserving to be discussed among the nation's top goaltenders, stopping 48 of 49 shots and keeping both games close early when needed.

Oftentimes the NCAA Tournament rewards the hot team at the right time. Right now that's Massachusetts, as no team has played as well down the stretch compared to the Minutemen. Add in Bobby Trivigno entering the Frozen Four with a chip on his shoulder and this veteran group has both the NCAA Tournament experience and talent to go all the way after finishing second in 2019. 

Why the Minutemen will lose to UMD: It's not 2019...but it would be tough not to remember how 2019 went before the 2021 rematch.

Scott Sandelin's team was able to neutralize Massachusetts' strengths in ways no one else did. While Greg Carvel will get the opportunity to make adjustments and be going against a different Bulldogs squad, UMass will need to show it can take advantage of the few opportunities Minnesota Duluth gives. After all, UMD did take out another top team in North Dakota.

Another, non-history reason why Massachusetts could fall short is the number of penalties UMass took in the Bridgeport Regional. A normally disciplined team gave up a combined 11 power plays to Lake Superior State and Bemidji State. The Minutemen killed all 11, however, it is playing with fire if it continues.

And as a late addition, UMass announced Tuesday morning it would be without both leading goal scorer Gicewicz and starting goaltender Lindberg (in addition to two others) for Thursday's game due to Covid contact tracing. The Minutemen have a ringer in goalie Matt Murray (no, not that one), who has 84 career games of experience, and the depth to keep going, but a challenge becomes that much greater. It is not guaranteed that only those four miss too.

Neutral fans should cheer if: Are you from the East Coast or any place not named Minnesota? Then UMass might be the team for you in this Frozen Four. Unlike the other three teams, Massachusetts is not based in the Gopher State.

Three more players to watch: Besides the aforementioned #24 D- Zac Jones (NYR), #35 G- Filip Lindberg (MIN), #8 F- Bobby Trivigno (undrafted), keep an eye on #11 F- Carson Gicewicz (undrafted), #4 D- Matthew Kessel (STL), #2 D- Marc Del Gaizo (NSH)

Minnesota State (22-4-1):

Why the Mavericks will win its first national championship: Minnesota State won two NCAA Tournament games. Why not two more?

The Mavericks got its elusive NCAA Tournament win, coming back from a 3-1 third-period deficit to defeat Quinnipiac in OT thanks to a Ryan Sandelin goal. Number two came easier once number one happened, shutting out a potent Minnesota offense that scored seven goals the night before. Since going down 3-1, Minnesota State scored seven consecutive goals en route to taking down the ECAC and Big Ten champions. Turns out the key to not blowing an early multi-goal lead was coming back from a multi-goal deficit.

It is important that Minnesota State was able to win two games in two different ways. It also helps Mike Hastings' team enters its first Frozen Four with the best possession offense. Mixed with its defense and Dryden McKay, who showed against Minnesota that he is more than capable of stealing games at the highest level, and the Mavericks have a recipe for success against the Huskies and the UMass/UMD winner.

Why the Mavericks will lose to SCSU: Comparing the four teams, Hastings and Minnesota State have the least Frozen Four experience. In addition to being the first in school history, Hastings never made the Frozen Four as an assistant (something St. Cloud State head coach Brett Larson can claim). The Mavericks are college hockey's winningest program over the past six seasons, but getting two wins at the Frozen Four is a different experience.

In addition, Larson and the Huskies routed Minnesota State 7-2 last season when the two teams played at the Mariucci Classic. While both are different teams, the way St. Cloud State defeated the Mavericks - scoring early and putting pressure on Minnesota State - has been a successful blueprint for several WCHA teams this season. It is something worth keeping an eye on for Thursday afternoon.

Neutral fans should cheer if: What do you think about fairy-tale endings? The team that could never win in the NCAA Tournament, the one that had its most talented team last season not get its chance, the one representing the final opportunity for a seven-decade-old WCHA to get one last title, would be one for the group in southern Minnesota.

Three more players to watch: Besides the aforementioned #8 F- Nathan Smith (WPG), #5 F- Jake Jaremko (Undrafted), #29 G- Dryden McKay (Undrafted), #14 F - Ryan Sandelin (Undrafted), #15 F- Julian Napravnik (Undrafted), #23 D - Jake Livingstone (Undrafted)

St. Cloud State (19-10-0):

Why the Huskies will win its first national championship: No line in the previous set of previews aged better than "St. Cloud State has been at its best in the NCAA Tournament when expectations are lowered." The Huskies made the most of being a No. 2 seed, coming back in back-to-back games against Boston schools to advance to its second Frozen Four (and second FF held in Pittsburgh).  

Coming into the Frozen Four, St. Cloud State continues to fly under the radar as much as a team can in college hockey's final weekend. Showing resilience, the team continues to be a tough out. That's beyond important this time of single-elimination year. The Huskies got two solid performances from David Hrenak, along with a depth of scoring throughout the lineup. Micah Miller stepping up in the Albany Regional and scoring in both games was a positive sign; especially given the injury Easton Brodzinski suffered.

Why the Huskies will lose to Minnesota State: St. Cloud State will need to play without its leading goal scorer after Brodzinski suffered a season-ending injury in the win over Boston College. The Huskies players showed they were capable of winning against top teams with players like Miller and Nolan Walker stepping up. Still, they will need to do it two more times. Missing Brodzinski's 13 goals makes it an easier task for McKay and the Mavericks defense.

At the same time, as much as the ability to come back from an early deficit can be a strength, it can also be a detriment if relied upon constantly. There are only so many times a team can come back before it comes back to bite them, as Minnesota State showed in the Loveland Regional final. 

Neutral fans should cheer if: Were you a fan of the Virginia NCAA men's basketball redemption story from 2019? Because St. Cloud State is essentially the NCAA men's hockey version of Virginia times 2 or 3. Add in the underdog story and overcoming injury and you could go much worse in picking a team to cheer for as a neutral fan.

Three more players to watch: Besides #29 F- Veeti Miettinen (TOR) and #19 F- Sam Hentges (MIN) (Brodzinski was originally the third), #25 D- Nick Perbix (TBL), #34 G- David Hrenak (LAK), #20 F- Nolan Walker (undrafted)

Minnesota Duluth (15-10-1):

Why the Bulldogs will win its fourth national championship: The same reason why Minnesota Duluth won its second and third championships: Ric Flair rules. To be the man, you got to beat the man. Until proven otherwise, no one is beating the Bulldogs come tourney time.

It wasn't pretty. It wasn't easy. After nearly seeing a late 2-0 lead disappear against No. 1 overall seed North Dakota, UMD survived three OT posts and an overturned goal to win the longest NCAA Hockey Tournament game (both the program's ninth straight NCAA Tournament and OT win). Both Ryan Fanti and Zach Stejskal showed up in goal and the Bulldogs got a winning goal from an unlikely source in Luke Mylymok. Add in the experience from Scott Sandelin and UMD's leadership group of Nick Swaney, Noah Cates and Cole Koepke, and the championship framework remains.

Minnesota Duluth has both won only one of its last eight games in regulation and can be considered a favorite. That's the duality of being the team to beat in the NCAA Tournament. 

Why the Bulldogs will lose to UMass: At a certain point, going beyond the one win - as magnificent as it was - takes away a little bit of the shine. It was one win. Minnesota Duluth did not need to play a second game after first-round opponent Michigan withdrew from the tournament. Against North Dakota, the Bulldogs were outshot and gave up the majority of Grade A opportunities. 

Playing UMass, the Minutemen are older, more experienced, and feature more depth than when the two teams met in Buffalo two years ago. The team is comfortably winning both tight, defensive games against hot goalies (see: UMass Lowell win) and offensive shootouts. If Massachusetts, the closest team remaining to UND stylistically, can follow a similar plan, cashing in on its opportunities like UMass has throughout its unbeaten streak and others against UMD have during the last six weeks, it would not be a surprise to see the run end.

Neutral fans should cheer if: Do you like dynasties? How you answer will decide whether or not Minnesota Duluth will be the team for you. The Bulldogs can become the first team since Michigan in the 1950s to win three consecutive national championships and the first to ever reach four consecutive national championship games with a win Thursday. If that works, welcome aboard the Bulldogs Express. If not, well there are three other teams to cheer.

Three more players to watch: Besides #23 F- Nick Swaney (MIN), #17 F- Cole Koepke (TBL), #5 D- Wyatt Kaiser (CHI), #20 F- Jackson Cates (Undrafted), #10 F- Kobe Roth (Undrafted), #22 D- Matt Cairns (EDM) 

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Column: St. Thomas hiring Enrico Blasi shows what is important to the Tommies

The timing could not work out better for St. Thomas to make a statement. 

During a week where three Minnesota schools look forward to the Frozen Four and five can count an NCAA Tournament victory, Minnesota's sixth Division 1 hockey school announces it will begin its D1 men's hockey history with Enrico Blasi as head coach.

Hiring Blasi, the longtime Miami head coach and current Associate Athletic Director of men's and women's hockey at Providence College, showcases what St. Thomas can do by getting someone with his name value. Being both around for over two decades and still under 50, Blasi, who brought two RedHawks teams to the Frozen Four and sits two wins short of 400, knows his way around building a program. 

Just as important, it showcases what St. Thomas will not be. 

At a time when friendships and connections between the other Minnesota head coaches are as tight as possible, Blasi breaks the state's country club hiring by being as far from Minnesota as any D1 men's hockey coach. Even in the few cases where a new coach came in without a true tie to the state, "foreign lands" were Grand Forks and Fort Frances, separated from Minnesota by a bridge and a river.

Blasi did not grow up in the state. He did not play or coach in Minnesota. His Miami team on average featured 1-2 Minnesotans. That St. Thomas went in this direction, if anything, is much needed. It's different. Being the sixth hockey program in the state - and second based in the Twin Cities - should be reason enough for the new team to think outside the box.

UST could easily be safe and hire someone familiar with the state. Instead, the Tommies' pick contains bits of safety with bits of risk, regardless of familiarity and locale.

By going outside the box with a big-name hire familiar with the CCHA, St. Thomas shows a major commitment to the sport as it enters Division 1. Rather than getting a name from Blasi's coaching tree, which includes prominent coaches like Jeff Blashill, Chris Bergeron and Brett Brekke, UST picks up the real deal. St. Thomas hiring Blasi brings back memories of St. Olaf hiring former Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves.

Plus, there may be no better year to enter the sport. An extra year of eligibility granted due to the pandemic and a one-time waiver to transfer without sitting out a season makes it easier for programs like the Tommies to start up. Leadership and grad transfers are everywhere, with over 250 players in the transfer portal and counting.  

At a place like St. Thomas, in a conference like the CCHA, there will be a need to be creative when it comes to recruiting and coaching. Doing so has been key to Minnesota State and Bemidji State's recent success. Blasi will have an unprecedented opportunity to build a balanced Tommies team from scratch without being underclassman-heavy.

It sets up to be a perfect situation for the Tommies if Blasi can tap into his CCHA coaching success. As impressive as his accolades are, most come from a decade prior. The Frozen Fours were in 2009 and 2010. Miami's top-five 2014-15 season is an outlier surrounded by sub-.500, last-place NCHC finishes. 

Blasi is the first of his contemporaries to seek out a second chance. The game has certainly changed. Recruiting has as well. Many of the forward-thinking things Miami did during its heyday no longer are forward-thinking. They have been successfully replicated elsewhere to the point where the RedHawks continue to rebuild since joining the NCHC.

Going outside the box to hire Blasi means St. Thomas risks missing out on a chance to grab a forward-thinker. In that sense, the Tommies go outside the box compared to other recent new programs.

The Tommies will need to tap into new pipelines and be creative in discovering its own talent despite being in the Twin Cities. It's nothing new for Minnesota schools - Minnesota State, with zero teenagers, appears in the Frozen Four with a team that features players from four countries and states ranging from Alaska to Florida - even if Minnesotans like to pretend it is otherwise. The program will need to create its own culture and D1 tradition much like the Brotherhood in Miami. 

Still, what worked in Oxford in the 2000s will not work in St. Paul in the 2020s. Who Blasi hires as assistants and how well the team can recruit will go a long way to how far and how quickly St. Thomas can compete in the CCHA. 

There is comfort in having someone who knows how to get a program going. St. Thomas bringing in Blasi is a sign acknowledging just that, comfort in being different. It is a sign needed for a program looking to make waves in Division 1 after a successful Division 3 men's hockey tenure and set forth on finding space to build a brand new on-campus rink. 

Blasi has experience there. (In fact, Miami's Steve Cady Arena, which was built while he coached the RedHawks, is a fantastic comparable to what the Tommies should be looking to replicate.) The Tommies hope it ends up being closer to what St. Olaf had with Eaves, where the Oles were able to get national recognition and a brand new ice hockey rink, than what Wisconsin had with Eaves - or Miami had with Blasi - at the end of his tenure.

Miami's history remains defined by when Enrico Blasi took over at age 27. St. Thomas hopes its history will be successfully defined by Blasi taking over at age 49.

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