CC shocks hockey world; four WCHA teams play Saturday

When last I saw the Tigers, they were leaving the Xcel Energy Center after a tough 4-3 loss to North Dakota in the Final Five semifinals last Friday.

What a difference a week makes. The Schwartz circus, brothers Jaden and Rylan, and the rest of the Tigers sent Boston College packing with an 8-4 beatdown on Friday in the West Regional. BC was the third overall seed in the tournament and had won two of the past three NCAA titles.

Now CC has to beat Michigan on Saturday for a return trip to St. Paul and the X for the Frozen Four on April 7 and 9. All the Nebraska Omaha fans in St. Louis, if any are left, will be rooting for the Tigers, no doubt.

Michigan ousted UNO 3-2 with a controversial OT goal on Friday.

CC played Michigan once this season, losing 6-5 on Dec. 30 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit before almost 15,000 fans.

Michigan led 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3, but CC kept coming back and grabbed a 5-4 lead. But the Wolverines scored two goals i nthe last six minutes to win. UM had one power play goal and one short-handed goal.

Not bad on special teams, but CC was better. Tigers were 4 for 5 on the power play and that was without freshman sensation Jaden Schwartz, gone to play for Canada in the World Junior Championships.

Luke Glendening had two goals for Michigan in that game, Ben Winnett and Louie Caporusso one goal and one assist.

Big points producers for CC were Steve Schultz with two goals and one assist and defenseman Gabe Guentzel with three assists.

I went 2-2 on my Friday predicitions. Not too great, but that never stops me. Here are Saturday's picks:

West Regional final

Colorado College vs. Michigan, 8 p.m. in St. Louis: Tigers had an easier game and have to be pumped. If Joe Howe, the sophomore from Plymouth, can remain steady in the nets ... CC wins 5-3

(Missed both games in this region, had UNO 4-3 over Michigan, instead Wolverines won 3-2 in OT ... and had Boston College 2-0 over CC. Off a little there!)

East Regional final

UMD vs. Yale, 5:30 p.m. in Bridgeport, Conn. Bulldogs want to represent the state of Minnesota at the X. OK, that's probably not their main motiviation, but they want to be in the Frozen Four. Can't take so many penalties. But Kenny Reiter looks sharp in goal and Yale looked beatable against Air Force so ... UMD wins 3-1

(Was pretty close on this regional. Picked UMD to win 3-2, 'Dogs beat Union 2-0. And picked Yale to beat Air Force 3-1; these Bulldogs won 2-1 in overtime.

West Regional semifinals

North Dakota vs. RPI, 12:30 p.m. in Green Bay. Seth Appert, RPI's coach was a Denver assistant for nearly a decade. He knows what his Engineers can expect, and will tell them. Shouldn't matter, the No. 2 overall seed survives ... UND wins 5-2.

Denver vs. Western Michigan, 4 p.m. in Green Bay. Pioneers want another shot at North Dakota and will get it. ... DU wins 3-1.

Northeast Regional

Merrimack vs. Notre Dame, 6:30 p.m. in Manchester, N.H. Two Catholic teams tussle. Doesn't seem right Irish are 11th seed, Merrimack the sixth seed, but that's the way it is. Irish are young and seemingly vulnerable, 2-4-0 in last six games but ... Notre Dame wins 3-2.

New Hampshire vs. Miami, 3 p.m. in Manchester, N.H. This is like home game for New Hampshire. But Miami has too much firepower. ... RedHawks 4-3.

Picked three upsets in six games: UMD, Notre Dame and CC. ... First two spots in Frozen Four will be filled. Will two WCHA get them?