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While NCAA basketball has defined the month for college sports, for fans of hockey, the Frozen Four, which is set to begin at the end of the month, is March Madness. The biggest tournament in college hockey will see 16 of the top NCAA hockey teams go toe-to-toe, hoping to be named the 2023 champions.
Last season, the Denver Pioneers defeated Minnesota State 5-1 in the finals to claim the Frozen Four crown. The tournament final, held at TD Garden in Boston last year, will be held at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay Florida on April 8th.
"Clearly the NCAA doesn’t want three MN hockey teams in Frozen Four in Tampa even though all deserve to be there after this brutal winter. Gophers, St. Cloud St. and Minnesota State will duke it out in Fargo regional." - Tom Hauser
With the tournament beginning the opening round on Thursday, March 23rd, here are three predictions for the Frozen Four.
The University of Minnesota will reach the finals
One of the betting favorites to win the entire tournament, the University of Minnesota should find themselves in the finals in Tampa Bay, Florida. That being said, they will not have an easy road to reach the title game. To reach the finals, Minnesota will have to potentially play against other strong teams, including the reigning champions from Denver.
"University of Minnesota forward Logan Cooley, a native of West Mifflin, has been named as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, an honor that recognizes the top men’s player in college hockey." - Tribune-Review Sports
Minnesota forwards Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies are both finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which is given to the top player in the NCAA each season.
Adam Fantilli will be named the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player
The center, who currently plays for the University of Michigan, has been a force this season in the Big-10 league of the NCAA. In 32 games this season, Adam Fantilli has posted 27 goals and 33 assists for the University of Michigan.
"The 2023 Hobey Baker Award, hydrated by @BioSteelSports, is here! Next up in our player profiles of the Top Ten Finalists is @umichhockey Forward Adam Fantilli. Cast your vote at http://hobeybaker.com/vote @NCAAIceHockey #CollegeHockey" - Hobey Baker Award
The talented forward is aiming to become just the fourth freshman in the past 24 years to score at a two-point or higher per-game rate. If Michigan can reach the finals, or even win the tournament, Fantilli will likely be named the player of the tournament.
The University of Minnesota will have the most players named to the All-Tournament Team
As the favorite to win the tournament, the Golden Gophers will likely have the most players named the All-Tournament Team. Last season, Denver won the Frozen Four, resulting in them having four of the six spots on the All-Tournament Team.
Given that the University of Minnesota boast not only one of the nation's best and highest-scoring offenses but also a very stingy defense, they may find themselves dominating the tournament.
