Saturday's NCAA regional second round games may (surprisingly) lack local teams after Boston College's Friday exit, but they still offer some great hockey. A retro-style match-up and a battle of the Bulldogs highlight the fight for the first two spots in the Frozen Four.
Yale vs. Minnesota-Duluth
Bridgeport, CT Regional
6:30 p.m. ESPNU
It's a battle of the Bulldogs, as the number one seed Yale Bulldogs take on the WCHA's Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Number one seed Yale played in front of what must have seemed like their home rink Friday night, with Yale fans filling Bridgeport's Webster Bank Arena. Yale was challenged by Air Force Friday, needing overtime to decide their game. Yale will be further challenged by Minnesota-Duluth, who gave power play prolific Union plenty of man advantage opportunities Friday night but were able to shut them out. Minnesota-Duluth didn't skate fully up to their potential Friday, but Yale also found their offense mitigated Friday. If Yale can skate with their usual speed and energy, they could send Minnesota-Duluth home. If Minnesota-Duluth can keep out of the penalty box and get another excellent performance out of goalie Ryan Rondeau, they'll win the battle of the Bulldogs.
Colorado College vs. Michigan
St. Louis, MO Regional
9 p.m. ESPNU
Colorado College rode the obvious chemistry of the Schwartz brothers - Jaden and Rylan - and their linemate Stephen Schultz to a just plain overwhelming 8-4 win over the defending national champion Boston College Eagles Friday night. But Colorado College lost a lot of steam in the third period Friday night, showing their youth and giving Michigan a peek into their weaknesses. Michigan started slow in their game against Nebraska-Omaha Friday night, but held Nebraska-Omaha off the board from the second period on. If Colorado College is going to make a surprising appearance in the Frozen Four in two weeks, they'll need goalie Joe Howe to make similar acrobatic saves to his Friday performance. If Michigan is going to advance, they're going to need a bit more offensive output from their forwards and neutralize the Tiger's Sch-line. Either way, this retro team (both teams were championship stalwarts in the 1950s) matchup could be the weekend's highlight.