The First Round
 
Having drawn the toughest assignment in the tourny (beat Michigan in their
home, beat the defending champions), I think the Princeton Tigers are
indeed the longest shot to make the Frozen Four.  By which I mean odds of,
say, 8-1.  Nothing all that extraordinary, really.
 
Their style is extremely annoying to a skill team.  They have that deadly
combo of a solid defense and a few speed merchants who can burn *any*
defense.  My advice to Michigan is to not fall behind, especially on the
heels of dropping the conference title, and in front of a partisan crowd
that *expects* to win.  Pressure works in interesting ways.  But on this
night Michigan buries them with some early goals, and the Tigers are still
thinking about hosting that improbable but deserved Cup back in LP.
 
Prediction:  Michigan 6 Princeton 2
 
 
 
It's tempting to say Yale is toast.  They were uninspired and confused in
Lake Placid, and in fact the week before by all accounts were outplayed by
10th place St. Lawrence twice in a row.  Clearly they don't have a chance.
 
So, I think they will rebound and show a touch of what made them at one
point 19-4-0 (they are 4-4-3 since).  Ohio State played wonderfully in
their tourny and the defeat of UM crowned their season.  I still give this
one to Yale, who is hungry, over OSU, suffering an emotional let down after
last week's euphoria.
 
Prediction: Yale 2 Ohio State 1
 
 
 
Two hot teams meet in Albany, and the team with the solid crowd support
just nudges by.  Clarkson has made every tounry since 1990 except for one.
How many times have they fallen without an advance?  Five of seven times.
Just not this year.
 
Prediction:  Clarkson 3 Colorado College 2
 
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Quaterfinals
 
 
Yale proved its point with the first round victory.  The next night they
play the #1 team in the country and force an incredible overtime struggle
and....  oops, sorry -- my supply of crack just ran out.
 
Prediction:  Michigan State 7 Yale 1
 
 
 
Of the top two Boston seeds, the Knights drew the right one.  Calling on
their experience and finally catching the breaks which have eluded them
seemingly forever, they surprise an overconfident BC squad with tenacious
checking and find the twine *just* enough to get to the Show.
 
Prediction:  Clarkson 4 BC 3  (overtime)
 
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National Semifinal
 
 
Michigan State is again too strong for an ECAC foe, and Clarkson fans buy a
lot of stuff at Quincy Market.
 
Prediction: Michigan State 5 Clarkson 2
 
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And, for the heck of it, National Championship
 
 
If the NCAA final can rival the CCHA and ECAC title games, I'll be
astounded (and pleased, since I'll have seen 2 of the 3):
 
Prediction:  Michigan State 5 BU 4  (overtime)
 
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Good luck to one and all in the tournament.  After 17 years of rabid
fandom, this is my *first* Frozen Four.  It's the coolest thing I can
imagine!
 
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