Had you asked me 2 weeks ago I would have said Wisconsin was in last place among these 4. Now it's totally, totally wide open.
(The home team rarely wins, the only time that happened was Minnesota a few year ago, but IIRC that was the "undefeated" team. All other times the Frozen Four was in Minny, another WCHA team won it.
So UW is 1-3 vs the Gophers during the season eh? And I have to admit I didn't watch the RIT-Minne game as closely as the BU-UW game.....and while I would like to see the NC stay on the East Coast, if only to quiet the noise coming from west of Chicago, my gut tells me to respect the Badgers.....the way they took BU out of their game, their depth to keep rolling out quality players,( not that that isn't true for Minne), huge confidence in net, and then Coach Johnson....assuming the refs continue to "let the girls play", I'll go with the Badgers....and I hate red!!
So UW is 1-3 vs the Gophers during the season eh?
If North Country is allowed a vote, I would bet on defense wins championships. In my mind Harvard has a top 4 D with a support third D pairing.
When it comes to goalie position, (ECAC bias) I believe that Harvard has the edge, UM's defense is second in D depth, Wicso third, BC forth. Goaltending Harvard first, UW second, UM third, BC forth.
If you look at offence only, then it would be BC first, UM second, Wisco third, Harvard fourth.
But if defense wins championships then presumably Harvard has the best shot. One game affairs can definitely mess this up though, but my vote goes to Harvard.
Harvard is a DISTANT fourth to the other three in terms of team defense...
UW: 1.08 GAA
BC: 1.18 GAA
UM: 1.18 GAA
...
HU 1.53 GAA
I was going to ask Watson Rink if all the D were sick (or missing) when they gave up 10 goals to BC. The most the Gophers have given up in any game so far is 3.Harvard is a DISTANT fourth to the other three in terms of team defense...
UW: 1.08 GAA
BC: 1.18 GAA
UM: 1.18 GAA
...
HU 1.53 GAA
I was going to ask Watson Rink if all the D were sick (or missing) when they gave up 10 goals to BC. The most the Gophers have given up in any game so far is 3.
I think for them it will be the most disappointing if they do not win it all.
There are similarities. The big difference was that Minnesota was 2-0-1 in the previous three games with Wisconsin heading into the NCAA game in 2012. Wisconsin is still looking for that confidence-boosting win against Minnesota this year. If Minnesota plays like it has the last few games, then Wisconsin will win. The Badgers were playing rather uninspiring hockey a few weeks ago as well, so it isn't like they've clearly established some higher level of play. Anything could happen.Back in 2012, I said going into the Tournament that MN looked red hot, and despite being the #2 seed, I thought they were the team to beat, and I really hadn't changed my opinion in the post season since then. However, with how sharp Wisconsin has looked in recent weeks, especially being fueled by the freshmen, the Badgers are certainly a team on the rise. They actually remind me a bit of the Gophers at this point in 2012.
But the question is, what do you think WILL happen?Anything could happen.