tag:College ice hockey Archives

El equipo de hockey de Michigan, primer sembrado con un récord de 32-7-1, se enfrentará a los Denver Pioneers, segundo sembrado (27-11-3), en la semifinal nacional del Torneo de Hockey de la NCAA 2026.

Detalles del encuentro

El partido se llevará a cabo este jueves 9 de abril en el T-Mobile Arena de Las Vegas. El lanzamiento del disco (puck drop) está programado aproximadamente para las 8:30 p.m. ET, una hora después de la otra semifinal entre North Dakota y Wisconsin.

El encuentro será transmitido por el canal ESPN2 y estará disponible vía streaming a través de Fubo.

Antecedentes y estadísticas

Este duelo pone frente a frente a dos de los programas más exitosos del hockey universitario. Denver ostenta el récord de más campeonatos nacionales en la categoría masculina de la NCAA con 10 títulos. Michigan, que ocupa el segundo lugar histórico con nueve campeonatos, busca romper una sequía que data desde su último título en 1998.

La última vez que ambos equipos se midieron en el torneo fue en la semifinal nacional de 2022, encuentro en el que Denver se impuso 3-2 en tiempo extra.

Rumbo al campeonato

El ganador de este partido avanzará a la final nacional para enfrentar al vencedor del duelo entre North Dakota y Wisconsin. El partido por el campeonato se disputará el sábado 11 de abril a las 5:30 p.m. ET y será transmitido por ESPN.

March 2, 2026, 6:07 a.m. ET

We are ever so close to the post-season in college hockey. In fact, a number of teams have already claimed conference regular-season titles, including a couple of first-timers in Bentley of Atlantic Hockey and, surprisingly, Providence College in Hockey East. The Friars have a national championship to their name when they took it all in 2015, but this is their first time finishing atop the standings in the conference.

Meanwhile, Minnesota State took care of business in the CCHA, with the Mavs winning their eighth MacNaughton Cup in the past nine seasons. The CCHA was so tight this season that it all literally came down to the end, so this is going to be quite the conference tournament to keep an eye on. No doubt there are going to be some teams who fell just short who will have revenge on their minds in the bracket.

Speaking of revenge, a number of underdogs made noise this past weekend, shaking up our power rankings.

1. North Dakota Fighting Hawks (25-8-1)

We have a new No. 1 and they ain’t from the state of Michigan. The Fighting Hawks split with a very good Western Michigan squad on the weekend and there’s no shame in that. North Dakota won the Penrose Cup in the process and gets Omaha in the first round of the NCHC tournament for its troubles.

In a typical year, splitting with Minnesota would be an accomplishment, but the Gophers have been down bad this season so it’s a bit of a stain on the Wolverines. With only an exhibition game against Canadian university Simon Fraser on the schedule, at least Michigan can regroup before the Big Ten tournament.

3. Michigan State Spartans (24-7-1)

Like the rival Wolverines, the Spartans got caught in a trap series on the weekend. For them, it was Ohio State, with the Buckeyes winning one and forcing MSU to a shootout, which the Spartans luckily took after a marathon. Defenseman Colin Ralph (STL) played the unlikely hero for Michigan State.

4. Western Michigan Broncos (24-9-1)

Splitting with North Dakota bumps the Broncs up in the rankings and the defending national champs have played well down the stretch. In a tough conference, they dropped just two games in February. Western Michigan faces a dangerous Colorado College in the first round of the NCHC tournament.

5. Denver Pioneers (21-11-3)

Another team with legitimate title aspirations, the Pioneers are unbeaten in nine straight heading into the NCHC tournament, where they draw Miami in the opening round. Denver drubbed the Redhawks in December, so let’s see if they can keep the party going when the stakes are higher.

6. Providence College Friars (22-9-2)

The regular-season crown is nice, but you know the Friars won’t be satisfied stopping there. Splitting with New Hampshire was a little curious, but these things happen. Late roster addition Michael Simpson has given the Friars two quality starts in net so far; it will be interesting to see how they proceed.

7. Cornell Big Red (20-8-1)

With a pair of cross-state victories over St. Lawrence and Clarkson over the weekend, Cornell leaps over ECAC mates Quinnipiac. Defenseman George Fegaras (DAL) is on a four-game point streak and is second in team blueline scoring behind offensive D-man Xavier Veilleux (NYI).

8. Quinnipiac Bobcats (26-7-3)

The Bobcats got blasted by Dartmouth on Friday before rebounding against Harvard the next day. That makes Quinnipiac 2-2 in their past four, which is either a sign of things to come or just more motivation for them to stomp through the ECAC. Ethan Wyttenbach (CGY) has six points in his past three games.

Most folks expected Penn State to crush Notre Dame on the weekend, but the Nittany Lions barely escaped South Bend. That inconsistency continues to be troubling for the group, but at least they have one more test against Wisconsin before the Big Ten tournament begins.

10. Dartmouth Big Green (19-7-4)

If you hang seven goals on Quinnipiac, you deserve a spot in the power rankings. But the Big Green have been vexing all season: Are they a legit contender? Can they beat top teams? Blitzing the Bobcats was a good sign. Hank Cleaves has 35 points in 30 games and will be a free agent with NHL suitors after the season.

tag:College ice hockey

Michigan vs. Denver: Hockey en vivo desde el Frozen Four

Detalles del encuentro

Antecedentes y estadísticas

Rumbo al campeonato

North Dakota tops the NCAA men’s hockey power rankings