NCAA Frozen Four preview

TOURNAMENT AT A GLANCE

Site: Amalie Arena, Tampa, Fla.

Thursday's semifinals (ESPN2)

• Quinnipiac vs. Boston College, 4 p.m.

• Denver vs. North Dakota, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's final

• 7 p.m., ESPN2

The Eagles never have played Quinnipiac; by contrast, Denver and North Dakota are facing each other for the sixth time this season. This is BC's record 25th Frozen Four, and the Eagles have five titles. Jerry York is the winningest coach in college hockey history (1,012-598-110). Goalie Thatcher Demko (1.85, .936) is a Hobey Baker Award finalist. Junior winger Ryan Fitzgerald (23-23—46) is the leading scorer. Wild draftees Alex Tuch (17-16—33) and Adam Gilmour (12-14—26) are key players, as is freshman Connor White, Ottawa's first-round draft pick.

The Pioneers are in the Frozen Four for the 14th time, have won seven titles and have played North Dakota in four title games (winning in 1958, 1968 and 2005 and losing in 1963). Denver has won 18 of its past 22 games. Coach Jim Montgomery, in his third season, was the most outstanding player at the 1993 Frozen Four for Maine. Sophomore Danton Heinen (20-28—48) is the leading scorer and centers the "Pacific Rim" line with Dylan Gambrell and Trevor Moore (all three are from the West Coast). Sophomore Tanner Jaillet (2.25, .923) is the top goalie.

The Fighting Hawks have 22 Frozen Four appearances (this is their third consecutive) and seven national titles. Brad Berry is a first-year head coach after Dave Hakstol jumped to the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. Hakstol got to seven Frozen Fours in 11 seasons but never won the title, reaching the final only in 2005. The high-scoring "CBS Line" includes senior Drake Caggiula (21-25—46), freshman Brock Boeser (26-28—54) and sophomore Nick Schmaltz (10-34—44). Boeser (Vancouver) and Schmaltz (Chicago) were first-round picks; Caggiula is a free agent. Goalie Cam Johnson (1.67, .934) had glittery stats for the NCHC champions.

Staff, News Services