Women’s Frozen Four 2023 – Schedule, high gamers, the right way to watch

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The NCAA girls’s nationwide title recreation is about, with defending champion Ohio State trying to make it back-to-back titles in opposition to Wisconsin.

On the heels of the primary nationwide title in program historical past in 2022, the top-seeded Buckeyes beat Northeastern 3-0 to advance to the ultimate on Sunday, organising the prospect to repeat. Ohio State will likely be joined within the last by Wisconsin, one other WCHA group. The Badgers outlasted Minnesota in additional time, profitable 3-2 on a aim from Caroline Harvey.

The nationwide title recreation is Sunday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Subscribe to look at choose video games of the NCAA girls’s hockey match, together with the Frozen Four.

Beneath is a have a look at the ultimate two groups, evaluation by girls’s school hockey specialists Kelly Pannek and Clay Matvick, gamers to look at and a recap of the regional spherical.

Frozen Four schedule

All occasions Jap

Semifinals, Friday
at Amsoil Enviornment, Duluth, Minnesota

Ohio State 3, Northeastern 0
Wisconsin 3, Minnesota 2 (OT)

Nationwide championship recreation, Sunday
at Amsoil Enviornment, Duluth, Minnesota (4 p.m., ESPNU)

Ohio State vs. Minnesota

Groups at a look

Ohio State (33-5-2)

How they acquired right here: Coming off a loss to Minnesota within the WCHA last, the defending nationwide champs fell behind Quinnipiac 1-0 of their regional earlier than snapping again into kind within the second interval. Fifth-year senior Gabby Rosenthal scored halfway via the interval to tie it and Lauren Bernard gave Ohio State the lead on the 16-minute mark. Patty Kazmaier Award finalist Sophie Jaques scored two targets within the third interval, together with an empty-netter, to safe the 5-2 win, sending the Buckeyes to their third straight Frozen Four.

Within the semifinal, Ohio State jumped out to an early lead simply 1:16 into the sport in opposition to Northeastern on a aim by Sloane Matthews. Ohio State would add second interval targets from Makenna Webster and Hadley Hartmetz of the way in which to the 3-0 win. Goalie Amanda Thiele made 15 saves, recording her fourth shutout of the season.

Key stats: Ohio State completed with 44 photographs on aim in opposition to Quinnipiac and outshot the Bobcats 24-3 within the second interval. … Jaques scored her ninth power-play aim of the season, most within the nation, and set the WCHA document for profession targets by a defenseman (61). … Within the semifinal, the Buckeyes outshout the Huskies 53-15 … Northeastern did not have a shot on aim for the primary 9 minutes of the sport.

Wisconsin (28-10-2)

How they acquired right here: The Badgers needed to win twice to make it again to the Frozen Four, following a 9-1 rout of Lengthy Island within the first spherical with a powerful 4-2 win at No. 3 seed Colgate. In a matchup of two of one of the best offenses within the nation, Wisconsin’s protection stole the present because the Badgers outshot Colgate, 35-15.

Within the semifinal, Wisconsin outlasted WCHA rival Minnesota, profitable 3-2 on an OT aim from freshman Caroline Harvey. Minnesota held an early 1-0 lead earlier than two third-period targets (Laila Edwards and Sophie Shirley) put Wisconsin in entrance. However Grace Zumwinkle tied the sport for the Gophers with simply over a minute left, sending it to an additional body.

Key stats: This would be the fifth assembly of the season between Wisconsin and Ohio State, with the Buckeyes holding a 3-1 edge. Ohio State outscored Wisconsin 15-8 within the 4 video games, with two of them determined in OT. … Two of Wisconsin’s three targets within the semifinal have been scored by freshman (Harvey and Edwards).

Two gamers to look at within the last

It looks like each group has no less than two or three extremely expert gamers who will stand out to anybody watching, however these 5 gamers are key to their group’s success within the match.

Ohio State graduate defenseman Sophie Jaques. For the final two years, Jaques has led the nation in scoring by defensemen with numbers that rival these of the highest forwards. She was held with no level in her final two video games, and as a key to the Buckeyes’ league-leading energy play, getting her on the scoresheet means good issues for OSU.

Wisconsin junior ahead Casey O’Brien. On a group with a number of Olympians, gamers with senior nationwide group expertise and a extremely touted freshman class, O’Brien has constantly been one of many Badgers’ finest gamers all season. Like so many others on her group, she has a ton of velocity and might shoot the puck in addition to anybody, however I really feel she is at her finest when she provides a tenacity and grit that makes her actually enjoyable to look at and is essential to her group’s success. — Kelly Pannek

Specialists roundtable

Kelly Pannek, who helped Minnesota win two nationwide titles (2015 and 2016), is a two-time Olympian, member of the U.S. nationwide group and a PWHPA All-Star. ESPN’s Clay Matvick will likely be calling the Frozen Four broadcasts on ESPN+ and ESPNU.

What most impressed you from the regional spherical?

Kelly Pannek: Northeastern goaltender Gwyneth Philips had a powerful efficiency in opposition to the Yale Bulldogs to guide her group again to the Frozen Four. Phillips made 38 saves, with 17 of these saves coming within the third interval. When a goalie can have that kind of efficiency in one of many largest video games of the season, it has to carry a lot confidence to her group.

Clay Matvick: The continued defensive excellence of Northeastern. The Huskies have not allowed a couple of aim of their final seven video games. Their goaltending has been completely excellent all season with Gwyneth Philips taking part in as nicely, and generally higher, than her predecessor, Aerin Frankel. For coach Dave Flint, that is the final go-round with Alina Mueller, Chloé Aurard and Maureen Murphy. It is an ideal likelihood for this group to exit in model.

Who’s your decide to win the nationwide title?

Pannek: I’ve to go together with Minnesota. It’s no secret that protection wins championships and I actually like the way in which they’ve dedicated to the defensive aspect of the sport all through the playoffs. It additionally would not damage that they’re getting scoring all through their lineup and never simply counting on one or two gamers to provide.

Matvick: Minnesota appears to be the group taking part in essentially the most full hockey proper now. Offensively, they’ve a humiliation of riches with the reigning Patty Kazmaier Award winner Taylor Heise and U.S. Olympians Abbey Murphy and Grace Zumwinkle, who’s third within the nation with 61 factors. 5 of their six defenders are seniors and Skylar Vetter has been a gradual and generally electrical goaltender. With Duluth proper up the highway from Minneapolis, the Gophers ought to have a variety of fan assist too, in order that they’ll be very powerful to beat.

Who’s your decide to win the Patty Kazmaier Award (to be introduced Saturday)?

Pannek: Ohio State’s Sophie Jaques. She has proven over the past two years how large of a menace she is, at the same time as a defenseman. She has put up forward-like numbers offensively, whereas taking part in a ton of minutes in opposition to the opposition’s finest gamers in a very robust league. Frankly, after the previous two seasons, if she would not win, I am undecided what it will take for a defenseman to take dwelling the award.

Matvick: Northeastern’s Alina Mueller has gained a variety of awards and he or she’s completed an ideal deal each as collegiate participant and Olympian. Nonetheless, regardless of being a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award a document 5 occasions, she’s by no means gained it. Mueller is the all-time main scorer in Hockey East and he or she’s gained the convention participant of the yr 3 times whereas guiding the Huskies to 3 straight Frozen Fours. After one other spectacular yr, through which she’s fourth within the nation in targets and factors, I feel it is her flip to win the Patty Kaz.

Regional outcomes

All occasions Jap

Regional semifinals, March 9
Quinnipiac 3, Penn State 2 (3 OT)
Wisconsin 9, Lengthy Island 1
Minnesota Duluth 2, Clarkson 0

Regional finals, March 11
No. 5 Northeastern 4, No. 4 Yale 1
No. 6 Wisconsin 4, No. 3 Colgate 2
No. 2 Minnesota 3, No. 7 Minnesota Duluth 0
No. 1 Ohio State 5, No. 8 Quinnipiac 2

The sphere

Statistics getting into the NCAA match

Ohio State

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Why power of schedule affected Ohio State’s Frozen Four seeding

Angela Ruggiero and Kendall Coyne Schofield focus on why Ohio State’s more durable schedule propelled it to the No. 1 seed within the Women’s Frozen Four.

How they acquired in: At-large bid (misplaced to Minnesota 3-1 in WCHA last)

Numbers to know: The dominant Buckeyes are second within the nation in scoring offense (4.39 targets per recreation) and eighth in scoring protection (1.78). Ohio State’s energy play has transformed at a .344 clip, finest within the NCAA. That is the second straight 30-win season for the defending nationwide champs.

Kelly Pannek’s take: Ohio State has performed all season like a group that is able to defend its nationwide championship. The Buckeyes are a robust, bodily group with ability and velocity to match. They’re coming off a loss within the WCHA match championship, however I’ve little doubt that they may discover a approach to make use of that of their favor. They’re the group to beat.

Minnesota

How they acquired in: WCHA match champion

Numbers to know: Minnesota has one of the best offense within the nation, scoring practically 5 targets (4.71) per recreation. Taylor Heise, the 2022 Patty Kazmaier Award winner as nationwide participant of the yr, leads the NCAA with 29 targets and 1.77 factors per recreation and in addition has a .635 faceoff share. The Gophers have been 3-1-1 in opposition to No. 1 seed Ohio State this season.

Pannek’s take: This looks like a must-win yr for the Gophers, with their final nationwide championship coming seven years in the past. They’ve all of the firepower up entrance and simply confirmed they’re keen to do the soiled work on protection in profitable the WCHA match. If Minnesota can proceed to again up its potent offense with stingy protection, will probably be a troublesome group to beat.

Colgate (32-5-2)

How they acquired in: ECAC match champion

Numbers to know: Colgate is 2-0 in opposition to Yale, handing the Bulldogs their solely two regular-season losses. Senior Danielle Serdachny leads the nation with 43 assists and 65 factors.

Pannek’s take: With assertion wins on its solution to clinching the ECAC match title, Colgate could also be peaking on the proper time. The Raiders have performed a troublesome schedule all season and are stronger for it. With Colgate displaying nice steadiness on either side of the puck, and a few early postseason success added to the combination, it would not be shocking to see the Raiders in Duluth.

Yale (28-3-1)

How they acquired in: At-large bid (misplaced to Clarkson 4-3 in ECAC semifinal)

Numbers to know: Junior Elle Hartje leads the nation with 1.19 assists per recreation (37 in 31 video games). Sophomore goalie Pia Dukaric is second within the nation with a 1.29 GAA and third with a .939 save share. Yale is fourth in scoring offense (4.13 targets per recreation) and second in scoring protection (1.32).

Pannek’s take: Yale has been a high group all yr in a robust ECAC convention. Folks neglect that this group was a Frozen Four group final season and the Bulldogs have backed it up with their efficiency this yr. With a semifinal loss to Clarkson within the ECAC match, the Bulldogs have to get the momentum again early within the NCAA match.

Northeastern

How they acquired in: Hockey East match champion

Numbers to know: Northeastern has allowed solely 30 targets in 35 video games, with senior goaltender Gwyneth Philips main the nation in goals-against common (0.83) and save share (.960). Graduate pupil Alina Mueller has a plus-45 plus/minus, and the Huskies are 28-0-0 this season when she scores a degree.

Pannek’s take: Making its sixth consecutive look within the NCAA match, Northeastern is the group to beat in Hockey East. This group has a robust veteran core, led by three-time Hockey East Participant of the Yr Alina Mueller. With plenty of playoff expertise and leaders who’re hungry to get this system’s first nationwide championship, this can be the yr Northeastern breaks via.

Wisconsin

How they acquired in: At-large bid (misplaced to Minnesota 4-2 in WCHA semifinal)

Numbers to know: That is Wisconsin’s tenth straight NCAA look, the longest lively streak within the nation. The Badgers have been 2-0-2 within the common season in opposition to league champion Minnesota. Wisconsin is high 5 within the nation in each scoring offense (third, 4.17) and scoring protection (fifth, 1.61).

Pannek’s take: Midway via the season it seemed as if Wisconsin might not even make the NCAA match, however with a robust end to the common season, the Badgers are again to being the kind of group we count on to see in Madison. Wisconsin is loaded with expertise, and it seems to be like they might be reaching their fullest potential on the proper time to make a robust NCAA run.

Minnesota Duluth (25-9-3)

How they acquired in: At-large bid (misplaced to Ohio State 2-1 in WCHA semifinal)

Numbers to know: Minnesota Duluth was 1-4 this season in opposition to high seed Ohio State, however all 5 video games have been determined by one aim (two in additional time). The Bulldogs have 13 shutouts on the season, tops within the nation.

Pannek’s take: UMD all the time makes noise come playoff time, and I anticipate this NCAA match to be no completely different. Graduate Emma Soderberg is likely one of the finest and most skilled goaltenders within the nation, and in entrance of her is a mature group that has made deep match runs. With Duluth being the host of this yr’s Frozen Four, I’ve little doubt that the Bulldogs will do all the things they’ll to be there.

Quinnipiac (29-9-0)

How they acquired in: At-large bid (misplaced to Colgate 5-1 in ECAC semifinal)

Numbers to know: Quinnipiac is fourth within the nation in scoring protection (1.51) and fourth in group faceoff share (.559). The Bobcats are 6-6 over their final 12 video games.

Pannek’s take: Quinnipiac has turned its program round up to now few years and is making its second straight NCAA match look. The Bobcats began the season off robust with a 10-game win streak, however have not proven the identical consistency within the second half. One factor that’s essential to Quinnipiac’s match success is its penalty kill, which is second within the nation at 92%.

Penn State (27-8-2)

How they acquired in: CHA match champion

Numbers to know: Kiara Zanon is tied for fourth within the nation with 25 targets and has an NCAA-best 5 short-handed targets. That is Penn State coach Jeff Kampersal’s third NCAA look (Princeton, 2006, 2016).

Pannek’s take: Penn State is making its NCAA match debut after promising regular-season showings the previous couple of years. The Nittany Lions are led by extremely proficient forwards junior Kiara Zanon and freshman Tessa Janecke, and junior goalie Josie Bothun can steal video games. The Nittany Lions might have a troublesome highway to the Frozen Four, however they’ve an opportunity to solidify themselves as a perennial challenger.

Clarkson (29-10-2)

How they acquired in: At-large bid (misplaced to Colgate 8-2 in ECAC last)

Numbers to know: Clarkson goalie Michelle Pasiechnyk is fourth within the nation with a 1.45 GAA. The Golden Knights scored two large late-season wins, beating Quinnipiac to finish the common season and knocking off Yale in double additional time within the ECAC match.

Pannek’s take: Though it has been a number of years since their final journey to the Frozen Four, the Golden Knights aren’t any stranger to postseason success (11 NCAA appearances). Compared to different groups within the area, Clarkson is towards the underside for each offensive and defensive statistics, so to make a push, it can have to be firing on all cylinders — because the Knights have been in beating Yale within the ECAC match.

Lengthy Island (20-13-3)

How they acquired in: NEWHA match champion

Numbers to know: In its fourth season of competitors, Lengthy Island posted its first 20-win season. Goalie Tindra Holm has the fifth-best save share within the nation at .937.

Pannek’s take: Because the group representing the most recent league in Division I girls’s hockey, Lengthy Island could have its work reduce out for it right here. The Sharks will want a unprecedented efficiency between the pipes from sophomore Holm and capitalize on any alternatives they get within the offensive finish in the event that they wish to preserve their run going.

Gamers to look at

It looks like each group has no less than two or three extremely expert gamers who will stand out to anybody watching, however these 5 gamers are key to their group’s success within the match.

Minnesota sophomore goalie Skylar Vetter. Vetter has proven stretches of dominance this season on her solution to being a top-three finalist for WCHA goalie of the yr. On a group with the very best scoring offense within the match however one of many worst targets in opposition to per recreation common, Vetter has the chance to set the defensive tone for her group.

Ohio State graduate defenseman Sophie Jaques. For the final two years, Jaques has led the nation in scoring by defensemen with numbers that rival these of the highest forwards. She was held with no level in her final two video games, and as a key to the Buckeyes’ league-leading energy play, getting her on the scoresheet means good issues for OSU.

Colgate senior ahead Danielle Serdachny. The main scorer within the nation, Serdachny is coming off an impressive ECAC match efficiency the place she recorded 4 targets and 5 assists in 5 video games. A well-rounded heart with a ton of ability, Serdachny is a participant you count on to see shine in large moments.

Northeastern graduate ahead Maureen Murphy. Enjoying on a line with Alina Mueller, Murphy would not all the time get the popularity she deserves as a key piece to her group’s success. Murphy is a gritty ahead who skates nicely and might end. She has scored some large targets for Northeastern in previous seasons, and I am positive she’s prepared so as to add extra.

Wisconsin junior ahead Casey O’Brien. On a group with a number of Olympians, gamers with senior nationwide group expertise and a extremely touted freshman class, O’Brien has constantly been one of many Badgers’ finest gamers all season. Like so many others on her group, she has a ton of velocity and might shoot the puck in addition to anybody, however I really feel she is at her finest when she provides a tenacity and grit that makes her actually enjoyable to look at and is essential to her group’s success. — Kelly Pannek