Noon EST:
No. 1 Cornell vs. No. 4 Minnesota State, Mankato
3:30 p.m.
EST: No. 2 Boston College vs. No. 4 Ohio State
Sunday,
March 30
Noon EST:
Regional Final
HOT
TOPIC
The big question coming out of last Sunday’s NCAA
selection show: who was more upset, Mike Schafer or John Buccigross?
It felt like you could
have killed a minor penalty in the time Buccigross was waiting
for bracket graphics to appear on screen, but he’s certainly
gotten over that gaffe. As for Schafer, you might have to wait
until 2:30 p.m. Saturday to find out if the Cornell coach is still
angry.
A team that a year
ago would have been given a bye now faces a tricky first-round
opponent in Minnesota State, Mankato. It promises to be a great
contrast-of-styles game – the Mavericks’ Grant Stevenson
and Shane Joseph are the highest-scoring duo Cornell has faced
all season, but the Big Red have the stingiest defense in the
land.
MSU, Mankato head coach
Troy Jutting said he took Schafer’s displeasure as a compliment
to his team, which makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance
since moving to Division I. Now it’s up to these two conference
coaches of the year – and their players – to determine
who will be happy come Saturday afternoon.
BACK
STORY
Boston College and Ohio State are all-but-forgotten in
the other half of the bracket, coming in after less-than-inspiring
conference tournament runs (both lost in the semifinals). But
the two programs, which met in the 1998 semifinals, deserve credit
for returning to the tourney – BC missed last year, while
OSU has been absent for two seasons.
ON
A ROLL
Barring a
Maverick upset, Boston College’s path to the Frozen Four
goes through Cornell goaltender Dave LeNeveu. Among the Eagles’
offensive weapons, one player is particularly poised to face the
nation’s best goalie: Tony Voce. The 5-foot-8 wing has a
knack for putting the puck in the net, with a team-high 22 goals
on the year and eight in his last seven games. He has 15 of his
goals since Jan. 10.
MR.
CLUTCH
LeNeveu may
not have seen enough playoff action at this point in his career
to earn a Mr. October-type moniker, but he’s been Cornell’s
leader all season. He’s only allowed more than two goals
in two outings (one of which Cornell won); with that kind of production
from your goalie, you don’t need a high-flying offense.
A couple of timely goals, perhaps on the power-play, and it’s
the perfect recipe for postseason success.
WHILE
YOU'RE THERE
Check
out Murphy's a great little retaurant/bar just steps from
the Dunkin' Donuts Center, for your post-game fare and a shot
at finding the out-of-town games on satellite.
SOMETHING
TO PROVE
ECAC teams are 2-9 in the last five years of the NCAA
Tournament, and some people are skeptical of Cornell’s success
because of that recent history. Never mind the No. 1 ranking,
the suffocating defense, or the punishing style that seems perfectly
suited for postseason success – until the Big Red win in
the tournament, doubters will remain. Could the NCAA committee
have felt more comfortable making the Big Red face MSU, Mankato
because they played a weaker schedule than Colorado College or
Minnesota? Who knows – but they’ll have an early chance
to prove themselves against WCHA competition.
ONE
TO WATCH
Cornell
brings seven seniors into the weekend, almost all earning some
level of acclaim. Doug Murray is a rock on defense, while Mark
McRae adds an offensive touch on the blue line. Sam Paolini was
the star in the ECAC Tournament championship game, while Stephen
Baby has a fan club sizable enough to match his 6-foot-5 frame.
Often forgotten is Shane Palahicky, a waterbug-type on right wing
who has chipped in 20 points on the year. Keep an eye on No. 20
– his always-on style of play is an underrated reason for
Cornell’s success.
SUNDAY
STORYLINE?
Jerry York and
Mike Schafer have rebuilt once-proud programs at Boston College
and Cornell. York’s been to the mountain (the Frozen Four)
and the summit (the national championship). A visit to Buffalo
would mark Cornell’s first Frozen Four since 1980 (when
it was held right here in Providence) and would truly signal the
Big Red’s return to the national scene.
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