For just the second time in their history, the Quinnipiac Bobcats have made it to the Frozen Four. Quinnipiac doesn't have the greatest history in college hockey, but it has been coming on strong in recent years. The Bobcats yearn for the day they can be as notable as the team they're facing on Thursday, the Boston College Eagles, who have made the Frozen Four a dozen times since 1998 and have won four titles in that span.
Frozen Four Odds at BookMaker.eu
Boston College Eagles -110
Quinnipiac Bobcats -110
Over/Under 6
ODDS ANALYSIS
These two teams really are evenly matched for one another, and it shouldn't be surprising that the game is lined at a pick 'em. This time of year, it's really tough to find a top contender who is head and shoulders above all others, especially when you consider the fact that 60 minutes on the ice decides the fate of the entire season for both clubs.
Even though neither one of these teams has played an over game yet in the NCAA Tournament, the total is set relatively high at a flat 6.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Quinnipiac was the top seed in the East Regional played in Albany, and it certainly looked the part. The team had no troubles whatsoever getting past RIU and UMass Lowell, winning the games by 4-0 and 4-1 margins.
Boston College was the No. 2 seed in the Northeast Regional, and many were looking forward to a potential matchup between the Eagles and Providence, arch rivals from Hockey East in the duel leading into the Frozen Four. BC held up its end of the deal in the opening round by cruising past Harvard, but Providence was taken out by Minnesota-Duluth in double overtime. The Eagles went on to take care of the Bulldogs 3-2.
GOALIE REPORT
Thatcher Demko (Boston College) – Demko is 27-7-4 this year with a 1.85 GAA. He's been right on par with that here in this tournament, allowing just three goals in his two games. He's a three-year starter for the Eagles, but his last taste of the NCAA Tournament was bitter. Demko and the Eagles conceded five goals to Denver in the opening round of the tourney last year, so we know that he's beatable.
Michael Garteig (Quinnipiac) – Garteig is very likely to be the less busy of these two net minders in this one. His GAA is better than Demko at 1.83, but his save percentage is significantly lower at .926. Quinnipiac has done a fantastic job of protecting him on defense, and he really hasn't had a heck of a lot to worry about in his two games leading into this tournament.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Quinnipiac is probably understated here by the oddsmakers. Boston College's history is fantastic, but its road to the Frozen Four wasn't nearly as tough as Quinnipiac's. The Bobcats were beaten just twice all season long in regulation, and the second of those two losses in the ECAC Tournament was immediately avenged against Cornell.
The Bobcats have scored at least four goals in eight of their last nine games, and they've netted at least three in 13 straight. Parlay that with the way they've been playing defense with just three total goals allowed in their last four games, and the makings are there for them to reach the National Championship Game at the expense of a Boston College team which is being overplayed for its rich history in this tournament.
Quinnipiac 3, Boston College 1
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Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The matchup between the Boston College Eagles and the Quinnipiac Bobcats will start at 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Amalie Arena. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
