BUFFALO, N.Y. – Cornell might be, as coach Mike Schafer called it, “the new kid on the block” when it comes to this year’s NCAA Frozen Four ice hockey tournament field.
That doesn’t mean the Big Red are going to be overlooked by the other three schools, including the defending champion Minnesota Golden Gophers, when the semifinals open in Buffalo on April 10.
“I would say Cornell,” Minnesota coach Don Lucia said, when asked to pick his favorite during a conference call involving all four coaches Tuesday. “The reason I say that is that they have that senior leadership you’re looking for. And they’ve got an outstanding goaltender.”
The top-seeded Big Red (30-4-1), the only team that didn’t make last year’s final four, aren’t sneaking up on anyone when they open the tournament against No. 4 New Hampshire (27-7-6). The other semifinal has No. 2 Minnesota (26-8-9) playing No. 3 Michigan (30-9-3). Cornell is poised to cap a dominating season, currently riding a 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1) in which its last loss came on Jan. 30, a 2-1 overtime defeat against Eastern College Athletic Conference rival Colgate.
The Big Red feature the nation’s stingiest defense, and are led by goaltender David LeNeveu who, in 33 games, has a 1.13 goals-against average.
While this is Cornell’s first final-four appearance since 1980, the school has earned NCAA tournament berths in four of its last eight seasons, including last year when the Big Red lost to New Hampshire in the quarterfinals.
Coach Schafer said last year’s experience has instilled confidence in his players.
“Last year we wondered about winning. This year we’re expecting to win,” Schafer said. “And just because we’re the new kid on the block, I believe our guys have a full expectation, just like everybody else, of going in and having some success.”
New Hampshire coach Dick Umile sees the difference in comparing this year’s Big Red, with the team the Wildcats defeated last year.
“They’re playing with a lot of confidence now,” Umile said. “They’re an experienced team with a lot of depth, and a lot of things going well for them right now.”
The Wildcats feature a similar defense-first approach, and are led by goalie Mike Ayers, whose 2.2 goals-against average ranks third in the nation.
New Hampshire, which has never won the title, is making its seventh final four appearance and attempting to reach the final for only the second time.
The other semifinal features two schools very familiar to tournament play. Michigan leads all schools with nine NCAA titles, and is making its 22nd final four appearance. Minnesota, attempting to become the first team to repeat as champions since Boston University in 1972, leads all schools with 44 NCAA tournament victories. Both teams are similar with young lineups. The Golden Gophers have one senior and are led by freshman Thomas Vanek, who finished 17th in the nation with 26 goals and 54 points in 41 games.
“We’re a young hockey team, so whether that will present a problem remains to be seen,” Lucia said. “I think we’re a good team. But I still wouldn’t classify us as a great team.”
Michigan overcame early- and mid-season injuries to John Shouneyia and Jed Ortmeyer to finish strong, going 7-0-2 in its last nine games. The Wolverines also were led by a freshman in scoring, Jeff Tambellini, who had 26 goals and 44 points in 42 games. Although this is Michigan’s third consecutive final four appearance, the school hasn’t reached the title game since it last won the championship in 1998.
“I don’t see any big advantage,” Michigan coach Red Berenson said. “I’m glad we’ve been there, but I can’t tell you we’ve been that successful when we’ve been there.”
AP-ES-04-01-03 2005EST
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