Michigan's hockey team comes into the national semifinal game ranked no. 1 in the polls and the no. 1 overall seed. They were the CCHA regular season and tournament champions. They face a Notre Dame squad that finished fourth in the CCHA regular season standings and gave new meaning to the term "offensively challenged," and which received the last at-large bid into the tournament.
Easy Michigan win, right? Not so fast, my friend.
The teams played twice during the regular season. In the first game, ND jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and hit at least two posts that could have made it 4-0. UM tied it up and then scored the game-winner with 20 seconds left. The following night at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan won a fairly decisive 5-1 victory.
Particularly in that first game, ND was effective dumping the puck into Michigan's zone and coming out with an aggressive forecheck as the Wolverines tried to bring the puck out of their own end. Logic would suggest that ND will try it again. The ND gameplan will be to try to frustrate Michigan, force mistakes, and try to capitalize on them, while at the same time trying to contain the high-scoring Michigan offense.
Billy Sauer will probably not be called upon to make 40 saves. But - and this can be more difficult for a goalie - he may face fewer shots, but better opportunities.
The other danger for Michigan: history, which has shown that Michigan has been much more successful as a Frozen Four underdog than as a favorite.
North Dakota and BC face off at 6:00 EDT. Michigan is scheduled to face off at 9:00, or 30 minutes after the first game ends. Both games are on ESPN2.
NOTE: if you are in the Columbus area, the UM Alumni Club of Central Ohio is having a watch party at Fitzgerald's Sports Tavern, 2640 Bethel Rd.
Go Blue!
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