Division rivals make for the best foes in the Frozen Four, and though it isn't typical for the NCHC to be represented twice in the national semifinals, that's what we're faced with this Thursday. In the second game of the night in Tampa, the North Dakota Fighting Sioux will look to reach the National Championship Game at the expense of their hated rivals, the Denver Pioneers.
Frozen Four Odds at BookMaker.eu
Denver Pioneers +150
North Dakota Fighting Sioux -170
Over/Under 5.5 (under -120)
ODDS ANALYSIS
This game is a little lopsided by betting standards, but it's tough to argue with North Dakota in this one. The Fighting Sioux have been rolling right through their competition, and the fact that they've been here 21 times in the past is a testament of the standard of this program.
The Fighting Sioux are laying -170 alongside a total of 5.5 and -120 vig on the under.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Neither one of these teams have come across any issues whatsoever here in the NCAA Tournament.
North Dakota posted a pair of blowouts of Northeastern and Michigan. In both cases, the game was out of hand relatively early on, and the combined seven-goal margin of victory is about as impressive as it gets for the first two games of the dance.
Of course, the only team which has been more impressive is Denver. The Pioneers didn't face the toughest draw in the world, as they beat Boston U and Ferris State, avoiding what would've been a highly-anticipated showdown with No. 2 overall seed St. Cloud State in the Elite Eight.
GOALIE REPORT
Tanner Jaillet (Denver) – Jaillet hasn't had a ton of work here in this tournament. He faced just a total of 37 shots in the two games against Ferris State and BU, but he allowed five goals in the process. The Pioneers were never truly settled at goalie this year, as Evan Cowley had 16 games in the pipes as well, and they won't be afraid to pull the trigger on a goalie switch if need be. Jaillet doesn't have bad stats, but comparatively speaking, a 2.25 GAA and a .923 save percentage aren't fantastic at this level.
Cam Johnson (North Dakota) – Johnson is only a sophomore, and he promises to be a stud for a long time for the Fighting Sioux. He's got the help of a great defense in front of him, but a .934 save percentage and a 1.67 GAA are no joke. He and his mates have allowed more than two goals just twice in their last 12 games, and if that keeps up in this one, ND is going to be a tough team to top.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The regular season series between these two suggests this should be a great game. The home team won each of the four regular season meetings between the conference foes, and when they met on neutral ice in the NCHC Tournament, they skated to a 1-1 tie.
Though we do suspect this will end up being a close encounter, we just trust North Dakota and its history in this tournament to come up with the big goal when it needs to get it. If the Fighting Sioux are able to play swarming defense and keep the Pioneers in the 20s in shots, we think they're headed to the National Championship Game, even if it comes with the aid of an extra frame.
North Dakota 3, Denver 2 (OT)
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The matchup between the Denver Pioneers and the North Dakota Fighting Sioux will start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at Amalie Arena. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
