The elite of collegiate ice hockey will converge upon the Wells Fargo Center on April 10th for the 2014 Frozen Four. No. 1 seed Minnesota will face long-time hockey rivals North Dakota for a 291st time, while Union and Boston College will meet for just the second time, but in consecutive tournaments.
Who will come out on top in college hockey’s premiere competition? Read on for everything you need to bet on this ice cold tournament’s final three games.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Frozen Four Semifinal Betting Previews
Union Dutchmen vs. Boston College Golden Eagles Betting
When: Thursday, April 10, 5:00 PM ET
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Line: Union Dutchmen (+125) at Boston College (-145); total 5.5 – view these lines
Betting on the Union Dutchmen
Unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 games (14-0-1), Union beat Vermont 5-2 and Providence 3-1 to reach the Frozen Four for the second time in three years. The Dutchmen have won all of their last 10 games by at least two goals – an incredible stretch.
The only team in the country in the top five of both offensive and defensive efficiency, Union stands 2nd in offense at 3.70 goals per game. Daniel Carr and Daniel Ciampini have combined for 41 goals this season. The team is also 4th in the nation in defense (2.05 GAA), thanks in part to excellent goaltending from Colin Stevens.
Betting on the Boston College Golden Eagles
Boston College throttled Denver 6-2 and squeaked by neighbors Mass-Lowell 4-3 on their way back to the Frozen Four. The total in Boston College’s last five games has hit six or more.
The Golden Eagles are scorers first and foremost, averaging a whopping 4.10 goals per game. Boston College is powered by the two most prolific point scorers in the college game, Johnny Gaudreau (77 points) and Kevin Hayes (63 points).
Prediction
Union comfortably defeated Boston College in last year’s tournament, and the Dutchmen’s excellent all-around game this season will see it through to the final. But with the Golden Eagles scoring at an absurd rate, also look for this game to hit the over.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. University of North Dakota
When: Thursday, April 10, 8:30 PM ET
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Line: University of North Dakota (+175) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (-210); total 5.5 – view these lines
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are returning to the Frozen Four for their third time in the last decade to face a University of North Dakota team they have played many, many times over the years. While the teams have not met this year, they have played in every other season since 1946-47, and the history between the two, amongst other things, should make this a game to remember.
Betting on the Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota have yet to be challenged, having reached the Frozen Four by walloping Robert Morris 7-4 and St. Cloud St. 4-0 in the earlier rounds of the tournament.
Led by freshman Justin Kloos (15 goals) and junior Kyle Rau (14 goals, 23 assists), the Golden Gophers are 6th in the nation in scoring, with 3.51 goals scored per game. They’re excellent at the back end as well, with goalie Adam Wilcox the anchor of the 2nd best defense in the country that allows just 2 goals per game.
Betting on the University of North Dakota
North Dakota pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament thus far by topping the no. 4 overall seed Wisconsin, 5-2, before edging past Ferris State 2-1 to make it to Philadelphia.
On offense, sophomore Rocco Grimaldi is the main man for North Dakota with 17 goals and 22 assists this season, while goalie Zane Gothberg is tied for 6th with a 1.99 GAA.
Prediction
Minnesota has been decimating opponents at an impressive rate, and will overwhelm old rivals North Dakota.
National Championship Game Prediction – Minnesota vs. Union
With both teams possessing prolific offenses and stingy defenses, the final should prove to be a very closely contested one. But with the better offense and defense, Union is poised to ride the momentum of its remarkable winning streak to lift its first national championship.
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