Of course the best-of-three B1G quarterfinals start tonight - Wisconsin (7) @ Ohio State (2), Michigan State (6) @ Michigan (3), and Notre Dame (5) @ Minnesota (4). It seems almost impossible to pick a favorite in any of these three series. Maybe Michigan. Wisconsin-Ohio State of course is a replay of last weekend, where the Badgers got hot and helped keep the Buckeyes to a single point and keep PSU in 1st.
Not that it matters, but who would PSU prefer to draw out of this group for the semi, with the 4 through 7 seeds being options? Any of the matchups would be tough, especially as the opponent would likely have no path to the NCAAs other than as an AQ. Also have to be concerned how the three-week layoff will impact the Lions; hopefully it sees a well-rested and motivated PSU squad versus a rusty team that needs a period or two to get back up to game speed! Perhaps in order:
- PSU went 3-0-1-1 versus Minnesota, but the Gophers have been hot in 2020 (despite the last two weekends) and I could see them being overly motivated in a semi given the regular season. Drawing the Gophers also requires all chalk results, given that Minnesota is the 4 seed (and PSU will host the lowest remaining seed).
- PSU went 2-2 versus MSU. Might put the Spartans over Minnesota in order of preference!
- PSU went 3-1 versus Wisconsin, but they seem to be surging (especially if they best OSU this weekend!).
- PSU went 1-2-1-0 versus Notre Dame and Morris seemed to have figured out things for them between the pipes.
In other action, St. Cloud (22) is at Duluth (5) [NCHC starts their tourney next weekend]. Bemidji State (10) doesn't have a tough draw in their first-round WCHA quarterfinal games this weekend, but it might be worth keeping an eye on them as they seem to be a favorite to be PSU's draw in the NCAA semiregional. Not seeing much else of interest, but there is sure to be an upset or two!
Not that it matters, but who would PSU prefer to draw out of this group for the semi, with the 4 through 7 seeds being options? Any of the matchups would be tough, especially as the opponent would likely have no path to the NCAAs other than as an AQ. Also have to be concerned how the three-week layoff will impact the Lions; hopefully it sees a well-rested and motivated PSU squad versus a rusty team that needs a period or two to get back up to game speed! Perhaps in order:
- PSU went 3-0-1-1 versus Minnesota, but the Gophers have been hot in 2020 (despite the last two weekends) and I could see them being overly motivated in a semi given the regular season. Drawing the Gophers also requires all chalk results, given that Minnesota is the 4 seed (and PSU will host the lowest remaining seed).
- PSU went 2-2 versus MSU. Might put the Spartans over Minnesota in order of preference!
- PSU went 3-1 versus Wisconsin, but they seem to be surging (especially if they best OSU this weekend!).
- PSU went 1-2-1-0 versus Notre Dame and Morris seemed to have figured out things for them between the pipes.
In other action, St. Cloud (22) is at Duluth (5) [NCHC starts their tourney next weekend]. Bemidji State (10) doesn't have a tough draw in their first-round WCHA quarterfinal games this weekend, but it might be worth keeping an eye on them as they seem to be a favorite to be PSU's draw in the NCAA semiregional. Not seeing much else of interest, but there is sure to be an upset or two!
