Sitting @ Lou Malnati’s waiting for my deep dish before heading to this year’s College Hockey Mecca, the United Center. It’s just awesome seeing so many NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey fans from all over the country here to witness to the crowning of the 2016-17 National Champion. UMass-Lowell, North Dakota, Yale, & numerous other jerseys representing those not here to play.

                                                                  5:00pm Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs vs Harvard Crimson.

I know I am biased. I like Harvard in this one. They are on a phenomenal run that only happens every so often for any team, nevermind this one from the ECAC.  17-0-1 in their last 18. No other team left has been this hot. The Beanpot Bounce has been evident for this Crimson team. As good as Minnesota-Duluth has been this year, keeping pace with Denver in the NCHC all year & even winning the NCHC Tournament, I don’t think UMD will have enough to slow down Harvard’s attack. The Crimson will roll 3 solid offensive lines at the Bulldogs. It will be a long night for UMD defensemen Raskob, Pionk, Molenaar & co. I do think that UMD has the advantage in net & on the bench. I do worry about Merrick Madsen playing a solid 60 minutes as well as Ted Donato having to outmaneuver Scott Sandelin. I think the offensive prowess of the Crimson D will add to The Bulldogs frustration. Harvard’s puck control will keep Minnesota-Duluth off of their offensive game. Harvard 5 UMD 3 

830pm Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Denver Pioneers

I’d love to see Notre Dame pull off the upset. I just don’t think that the Irish have enough to get past the Pioneers. ND goalie Cal Petersen has to basically shut out Denver for the Irish to win. I know that Notre Dame has players like Andres Bjork, Cam Morrison & Jake Burke among others that can put up numbers. It’s just that Denver is so stacked. From Tanner Jailett in goal thru Hobey finalist Will Butcher on D to Dylan Gambrell at forward, they just keep coming & coming. ND should just be happy to be here. The Irish stack up on the bench with legend Jeff Jackson calling the shots. He might have a slight edge over Jim Montgomery. Other than that DU has ND in every aspect. Denver 6 Notre Dame 2