I am back after some March Madness got me off track with picking the hockey games. Last time out I did go 7-2-0 in the opening round of the Hockey East playoffs. I try to finish off a strong season just as strong as I predict what could be quite an unpredictable Frozen Four in Chicago.
Last time out: 7-2-0 Season record: 49-23-9
Frozen Four- All games at United Center in Chicago, Illinois
Thursday 4/6 6 p.m. Eastern Time National Semifinal #1
#2 Harvard (28-5-2) vs #3 Minnesota-Duluth (27-6-7)
The Crimson of Harvard come in as the hottest team in the county, unbeaten in 18 games (17-0-1) including 16 straight. Harvards last loss was way back on January 7th against fellow ECAC opponent Dartmouth. Harvard beat Providence and Air Force to take the East Regional. The Bulldogs of Duluth had to go overtime to beat both Ohio State and Boston University to take the West Regional.
The pick- Harvard heads to title Saturday as the unbeaten streak extends to 19. HARVARD 5, MINN-DULUTH 3
Semifinal #2 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time
#12 Notre Dame (23-11-5) vs #1 Denver (31-7-4)
The Irish are the lone representative of Hockey East in the Frozen Four this year. Notre Dame upset both #5 Minnesota and #4 UMass-Lowell to take the Northeast Regional. Denver comes in as the top team in the country, and with the coach of the year in former Maine Black Bear Jim Montgomery. Denver got by Michigan Tech and Penn State to take the Midwest Regional.
The pick- Jimmy gets his chance at a national title, this time as a coach as the Pioneers cruise to a win. DENVER 4, NOTRE DAME 1
Saturday, April 8th National Championship 8:30 p.m.
Denver vs Harvard
This game could be a classic as the top two teams in college hockey square off for the title. Harvard will have all the momentum with a 19 game unbeaten streak, but the inexperience in a huge game.
The pick- Montgomery and the boys bring one home as the Pioneers get past the Crimson to finish off the college hockey season 2016-17. DENVER 4, HARVARD 3 (overtime)
