Men's Frozen Four 2012 - Tampa Bay - National Semifinal Update

Ferris State celebrates a 3-1 victory over Union (NY)

Today was the day for the National Semifinals for the Frozen Four in Tampa Bay, and Ferris State continues to destroy my picks.  They started the day off with a 3-1 victory over Union (NY).  The night cap was two of the "old guard," and Boston College was all over Minnesota 6-1.  Overall, I think we got a lot of great college hockey today.  I cannot wait until Saturday for the Final between Ferris State and Boston College, both teams are playing at a very high level.

The first game that featured two new comers to the Frozen Four, Ferris State and Union (NY), was a close game throughout.  The scoring started in the second period when Daniel Carr from Union (NY) scored, unfortunately it would be the only goal that Union (NY) scored.  Late in the second Aaron Schmit of Ferris State would tie the game on one of his two goals. 15:17 into the 3rd period, Kyle Bonis would get a rebound goal to break the tie.  Schmit added an empty net goal to close the scoring.

Ferris State has to be the surprise of the tournament.  They have been getting great goal tending from Taylor Nelson.  He shut down the Union (NY) offensive to only one goal.  Ferris State has been playing pretty decently all the season, they were ranked #1 early in the season.  They had a little bit of a tough go of it, losing to Bowling Green in the CCHA tournament, but they have really bounced back nicely.  They will definitely need everyone to be on their "A" game when they face Boston College on Saturday.

On the other side of the first game, you have Union (NY).  I believe this was their first year in Division 1 NCAA Hockey, and they really turned some heads.  It's like their coach said after the lost to Ferris State, and I am para-phrasing, even though we lost and this is a sad time, this is something that the program can really build on.  This will go along way in recruiting for next year, more players will have heard of Union (NY) and might consider going there.  If you are a Union (NY) fan there is no way you cannot be proud of what the team accomplished this year.

The second game on Saturday was more of blow out with Boston College taking it to Minnesota.  The game from what I saw, and it was not much because I had to work, it was a little bit more chippy then the first game.  Boston College opened the scoring in the first period with a goal from Steven Whitney.  The flood gates opened in the second period when the Eagles got 3 more goals making it 4-0 by the end of the period.  Minnesota would score to make it 4-1 in the third, but Boston College had the answer 22 seconds later making it 5-1.  The Eagles added one more to make the final 6-1, thumping of the Gophers.

Boston College has to be feeling really good about themselves right now after crushing a really good Minnesota team.  Boston College was the team to beat coming into this tournament ranked #1 and they have really proven so far to be the best team.  Ferris State will have their hands full in the Final with BC, and that's just trying to slow them down.  This is the Eagles 5th appearance in the final game in the last seven seasons.

On the other hand, Minnesota has to be really down.  The Gophers fought hard to get here, but in the end they just did not show up.  Well, at least they got a trip to Florida out of it.  I think this game will really leave a bad taste in their mouth, and next year the Gophers will be out for blood.  The program is too proud to let this happen and not do something about it.  If they do not do anything else, they might want to get a goalie and a defense that is not going to make the goalie look like a sieve.

Seasons in the Sun was only half right picking BC to beat Minnesota; Union(NY) did not come through for us.  We still have BC in the final, and hopefully that will be a winner.  Don't forget that the Final Game is Saturday at 7PM on ESPN2.  Have a great Friday, and keep reading Seasons in the Sun.