ncaa frozen four capsules

Thursday's semifinals at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia

Boston College vs. Union

4 p.m., ESPN2

EAGLES AT A GLANCE

Record: 28-7-4

Conference: Hockey East

Coach: Jerry York, 494-241-71, 20th season at Boston College

Northeast Regional results: def. Denver 6-2, def. UMass-Lowell 4-3

Overview: The Eagles' high-powered offense averages 4.10 goals per game and is led by the best line in college hockey. Hobey Baker Award favorite Johnny Gaudreau, Bill Arnold and Kevin Hayes have a combined 76 goals and 116 assists for 192 points. Gaudreau leads the country in goals (35) and is the nation's scoring leader with 77 points. Hayes is No. 2 in the nation in scoring with 63 points and Arnold is No. 6 with 52 points. This group alone could be enough to drive Boston College to its sixth national championship and fourth in the past eight years.

DUTCHMEN AT A GLANCE

Record: 30-6-4

Conference: ECAC

Coach: Rick Bennett, 78-27-16, third season at Union

East Regional results: def. Vermont 5-2, def. Providence 3-1

Overview: Union enters the Frozen Four as No. 1 in the USCHO poll but isn't the favorite. The Dutchmen are in a field that includes three of college hockey's most storied programs, putting them in an underdog role. Bennett said it's OK if his program is given the "Rocky tag" despite their current 15-game unbeaten streak and second Frozen Four appearance in three years. Union also is the only team in college hockey with 30 victories and has the second-best offense in the nation (3.70 goals per game). The only team with better offense is Boston College. Senior Daniel Carr (22 goals, 26 assists) is the team's leading scorer.

North Dakota vs. Gophers

7:30 p.m., ESPN2 (1500-AM)

UND AT A GLANCE

Record: 25-13-3

Conference: NCHC

Coach: Dave Hakstol, 258-132-40, 10th season at North Dakota

Midwest Regional results: def. Wisconsin 5-2, def. Ferris State 2-1 (2OT)

Overview: North Dakota is comfortable on this stage with the most NCAA titles of anyone in the field, but it is just thankful to be here this year. The group stumbled throughout stretches of the season and again late in the year with conference regular-season and tournament titles on the line. However, UND was the last team in the NCAA tournament and has regrouped for a run to face its rival in the national semifinals. Goaltender Zane Gothberg is coming off a career-best 44 saves against Ferris State. Rocco Grimaldi (17-22—39) leads a balanced scoring attack.

GOPHERS AT A GLANCE

Record: 27-6-6

Conference: Big Ten

Coach: Don Lucia, 371-190-65, 15th season at Minnesota

West Regional results: def. Robert Morris 7-3, def. St. Cloud State 4-0

Overview: The Gophers are peaking at the right time. Though they've been ranked No. 1 for most of the season, it wasn't until the West Regional final that everything looked and felt on point to them. Goalie Adam Wilcox said the victory over St. Cloud State was the best he has seen the team play in his two years with the U. Wilcox and the defense continue to be the backbone of the Gophers' success. The upperclassmen forwards sparked an 11-goal output in the regional. If they can continue this trend, the Gophers will be tough to beat. Junior Kyle Rau (14-23—37) is the team's leading scorer.

Jason Gonzalez

SATURDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP Semifinal winners, 6:30 p.m. ESPN