NCHC Semifinals: Key Insights and Predictions in College Hockey
In an exciting turn of events in the NCHC playoffs, the top four seeds—North Dakota, Denver, Western Michigan, and Minnesota Duluth—have successfully advanced past the first round. This marks a notable moment in the league’s 13-year history, with all four teams sweeping their quarterfinal matchups.
NCHC Semifinals Overview
The semifinal round will debut a new playoff format, moving to campus sites for the first time. The matchups are as follows:
- North Dakota vs. Minnesota Duluth: Saturday at 6:07 p.m. (CT)
- Denver vs. Western Michigan: Saturday at 6:07 p.m. (MT)
Each of these teams currently holds a position within the top eight of the NPI rankings. Saturday’s victors will advance to the NCHC championship game scheduled for March 21, with the winner securing an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The selection show for the NCAA Tournament is slated for March 22.
North Dakota vs. Minnesota Duluth
In the first semifinal, North Dakota enters as the top seed with a record of 27-8-1. They faced challenges in their last matchups, including missing key players due to illness. Despite this, they won their quarterfinal series against Omaha with scores of 5-3 and 5-1.
Key players for North Dakota include:
- Jan Spunar: Named the NCHC Goaltender of the Year with 17 saves against Omaha.
- Swanson: Contributed two goals in the series-clinching game.
- Will Zellers: Returned from injury with three points in the series.
On the other hand, Minnesota Duluth, the fourth seed with a record of 22-13-1, advanced after a dramatic series against St. Cloud State, gaining two overtime victories.
Denver vs. Western Michigan
The second semifinal pits two recent national champions against each other. Denver, with a record of 23-11-3, swept Miami in their quarterfinal series, while Western Michigan, holding a 26-9-1 record, eliminated Colorado College.
Both Denver and Western Michigan rank in the upper echelon for scoring and defense:
| Team | Goals per Game | Goals Against per Game |
|---|---|---|
| Western Michigan | 3.7 | 2.4 |
| Denver | 3.5 | 2.2 |
Denver’s roster features prominent players such as:
- Eric Pohlkamp: 17 goals and NCHC First Team selection.
- Johnny Hicks: Exceptional goaltending with an impressive save percentage of .960.
Western Michigan’s key players include:
- Liam Valente: Team leader with 20 goals.
- Grant Slukynsky: Leads in points with 40.
As both matchups unfold, anticipation builds for what promises to be compelling gameplay in the NCHC semifinals.
