While there may be less teams and a road much shorter, the NCAA Hockey Frozen Four is a pretty exciting event full of big hits, speed, and exceptional play. Watch the players in college today and see them in the NHL tomorrow.

This year’s field is no exception to a long history of good teams in this tournament. Let’s break down the games…

Michigan State vs. Maine: This game may not be the premier matchup of the day, but it will be a good one. Maine has the veteran experience here, but Michigan State’s top line is comprised of some potent sophmores ready for physical play. Michigan State may have the least of expectations to win it all, but they did beat one of the nations best teams in the regional (Notre Dame). If there’s a mismatch in this game, which is hard to find seeing as these teams are pretty even across the board, its goaltending. I don’t mean in actual play, but in physical stature. Maines goalie, Ben Bishop, stands in at 6′7″ while Michigan State’s goalie, Jeff Lerg, barely hits 5′6″. Different styles yes, but both are suitable goalies for a round of this nature.

How Maine Wins: Simply by experience. Maine’s senior class has been here three out of their four years and is built for a championship run. They were trumped badly by Wisconsin last year, but they’ll be ready this year.

How Michigan State Wins: Physical Play. If they can be more physical and keep the puck on net against Maine’s giant goaltender, they may be able to wear them down later in the game.

Who Wins: Maine

North Dakota vs. Boston College: Not too many cross-country rivalries in college hockey, but if there is one, this is it. These teams always seem to find each other in the NCAA tourney and each game is like a seventh game in the Stanley Cup Finals. Last year, UND goaltender Jordan Parise fell asleep early and allowed three goals that should have been stopped. UND fought back, but eventually lost 6-5. This year’s matchup does share some similarities. Both these teams have had some impressive winning streaks in the latter half of the year and it seems as if the gas tanks are still set on full. Boston College has always been the more physical of the two, while UND has always held the speed factor. True, this seemed to be reverse in last year’s meeting and it may be the same this year. UND looked fantastic in the regional against Michigan and Minnesota while Boston College only faced St. Lawrence and Miami, OH. Once again, this year’s matchup comes down to goaltending and BC has the clear advantage with Andy Schneider. UND’s Phillippe Lamoureaux looked lost early against Michigan, but settled down later in the game and against Minnesota. If UND can be more physical than BC and create odd-man chances, they’ll sail into the championship. That’s a big “if” though and surely BC head coach knows more about UND than anyone else.

How Boston College Wins: Goaltending and the ability to shut down the Toews-Oshie-Duncan line. Physical play will be the tone set in this game, it will just come down to who is more physical of the two teams.

How UND Wins: Keep on Truckin’. They’ve done this since the end of the season and made it through a more than difficult regional. Lamoreaux will need to be on the top of his game, but even with that, UND will need to pound BC and Schneider with a lot of shots on goal.

Who Wins: Tough one, but I’ll go with UND due to their recent spiritual awakening and explosive offensive play. They’re looking to make a statement after last year’s loss to Boston College.

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