The 2018 NCAA Hockey Tournament Bracket Has Been Released
It’s finally here. As much as I’ve enjoyed March Madness and all the upsets, the real tournament has finally arrived. On Sunday, the NCAA released its bracket for the upcoming tournament. 16 teams. 4 regions. You win your region, you go to the Frozen Four. Pretty simple stuff. None of this 64-team mumbo jumbo that basketball does.
So here it is…
West Regional (March 23-24) – Denny Sanford Premier Center, Sioux Falls, S.D.
- St. Cloud State vs. 4. Air Force
- Minnesota State vs. 3. Minnesota-Duluth
I think SCSU should have no problem getting out of the West. Air Force will play them tough, but it shouldn’t be much of a contest for the Huskies. Duluth vs Minnesota State will be an interesting one. UMD is a team who has flown under the radar for a majority of the year, while Minnesota State has been dominating the WCHA. Regardless, going to suck for either team to have to play St. Cloud State. They are rolling.
Midwest Regional (March 24-25) - PPL Center, Allentown, Pa.
- Ohio State vs. 4. Princeton
- Denver vs. 3. Penn State
The Midwest is definitely the most interesting of all the regions with three really good teams in Ohio State, Denver and Penn State. My prediction is that Denver comes out of the Midwest, but it’s going to be extremely difficult. Penn State won’t be an easy 1st round matchup and if they can advance to play the winner of OSU/Princeton, they better be prepared for a battle. Because OSU can play.
East Regional (March 23-24) – Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport, Conn.
- Notre Dame vs. 4. Michigan Tech
- Providence vs. 3. Clarkson
Another interesting region. Big10 champs Notre Dame will get WCHA champs Michigan Tech in the first round. Notre Dame wasn’t playing their best hockey towards the end of the year, but started to show some signs of a revival during the Big10 tourney. Providence vs Clarkson will be intense as well. Clarkson sat atop most polls for a majority of the year but faltered off towards the end of the year, while Providence has been low key pretty good this season.
Northeast Regional (March 24-25) – DCU Center, Worcester, Mass.
- Cornell vs. 4. Boston University
- Michigan vs. 3. Northeastern
Wouldn’t be surprised at all if we see a Beanpot championship rematch in the Northeast Final between BU and Northeastern. BU is the 2nd youngest team in the entire NCAA and is finally learning to play with each other. Coming off a huge Hockey East championship the Terriers are hot right now and playing some unbelievable hockey. They have to get through Cornell first though, who has been fantastic from start to finish this season. The Big Red have a ton of depth and experience and are built for a playoff run. Going to be fun to watch the young Terriers and the experienced Big Red battle. Michigan vs NU will be great as well. I have been extremely high on both teams all year. I think Northeastern is a team of destiny this year though and I just don’t see them losing to Michigan.
I can’t remember the last time I watched the tournament when BC, North Dakota and Minnesota weren’t all represented. Pretty weird not seeing some of the top programs in the country not make the tournament. And while I think I speak for everyone when I say, Casey Mittelstadt in the tournament would have been a treat, but I think it’s good for hockey that other programs are doing so well.