The NCAA hockey tournament kicks off on Friday. Single-game elimination hockey doesn't allow for much in the way of narratives or predictions. Each of the games this weekend will likely be decided by a bounce here, or a deflection there. Boston College comes into the tournament as the best team in the country, and the favorite for the tournament, but even they are at best a 60/40 favorite in any game played in this tournament, giving them just under a 13% chance of winning the whole thing. It makes for thrilling moments as we watch the games play out, waiting for that final deciding bounce, but lacks much meaning beyond that.
That said, as much as this tournament could be made so much better, there will still be twelve excellent hockey games played this weekend by some incredibly talented teams, making it perhaps the best weekend in all of college hockey. Here's some links that take a closer look at each of the four regionals.
West Regional
College Hockey News feature on WMU head coach Andy Murray
United States of Hockey West Regional Preview
Midwest Regional
College Hockey News feature on Denver's injury troubles
Denver's Joey LaLeggia is College Hockey News Rookie of the Year
USCHO Midwest Regional Preview
United States of Hockey Midwest Regional Preview
East Regional
College Hockey News East Regional Preview
United States of Hockey East Regional Preview
Northeast Regional
College Hockey News feature on BC's John Gaudreau