Minnesota Duluth, North Dakota all set for NCHC Frozen Faceoff
No. 1-seeded Denver and No. 3-seeded Western Michigan round out the field heading into Saturday's semifinals at Xcel Energy Center.
March 18, 2022 at 12:53AM
Friday-Saturday, Xcel Energy Center · TV: All games on CBS Sports Network
Friday's semifinals
No. 4 seed Minnesota Duluth vs. No. 1 Denver, 4 p.m.
The eighth-ranked Bulldogs (19-15-4) rely on scoring depth, with six players with 20 or more points, led by F Blake Biondi (16 goals, 11 assists, 27 points). G Ryan Fanti (17-4-4, 1.99 goals-against average, .921 save percentage) is a first-team All-NHCH honoree. … The No. 3-ranked Pioneers (27-8-1) boast F Bobby Brink, who leads the nation with 55 points and 41 assists, and seven other players with 30 or more points. G Magnus Chrona (24-7-1, 2.24, .905) has six shutouts. … The teams split both regular-season series.
No. 3 seed Western Michigan vs. No. 2 North Dakota, 7:30 p.m.
The seventh-ranked Broncos (24-10-1) and fifth-ranked Fighting Hawks (24-12-1) split the season series, with each team posting a home sweep. … F Drew Worrad (9-33-42) leads Western Michigan in scoring, while D Ronnie Attard (13-22-35) supplies punch from the blue line. G Brandon Bussi (24-10-1, 2.61, .911) has started every game. … UND has won nine of its past 10 games. F Riese Gaber (15-21-36) leads the team in scoring. D Jake Sanderson (8-18-26) will miss the tournament because of injury. The Olympian's 27 blocked shots lead the team. G Zach Driscoll (22-9-1, 2.34, .908) led Bemidji State to the NCAA tournament's second round last year.
Two offensive linemen from Lakeville, Bryce Benhart and Riley Mahlman, are standouts for Big Ten rivals of Minnesota.
