Preview: NCAA Women's Hockey Frozen Four

Photo @ Brad Rempel / Minnesota Athletics

It's time for the Frozen Four. After each quarter-final played out this weekend, the nation's top four ranked teams survived and have advanced to the Frozen Four in Minneapolis beginning March 21

Here's a look at each of the remaining teams.

University of Wisconsin Badgers (#1)

The top ranked team in the nation has earned the distinction. Their star power was evident when the top three Patty Kazmaier Finalists were announced featuring an all-Wisconsin trio of Casey O'Brien, Laila Edwards, and Caroline Harvey. Outside of that group, Wisconsin's firepower also includes Kirsten Simms and Lacey Eden who are top 10 in the nation in scoring, and the waves continue with Cassie Hall, Kelly Gorbatenko and others. In net, Ava McNaughton remains one of the best goaltenders in the nation, and was named to Team USA for the upcoming World Championships. What makes Wisconsin harder to play against, is their two-way threats. While they can flash their scoring and quickly pile up goals, Wisconsin can also check and shut down opponents. Players like Sarah Wozniewicz and Marianne Picard up front, and Laney Potter and Vivian Jungels on the back end can smother opponents as shot blockers, and taking away space. Wisconsin is the favorite, but they aren't unbeatable.

Ohio State University Buckeyes (#2)

Coming in as the reigning NCAA national champions, and as the only team to beat Wisconsin this season, there are expectations on the Buckeyes. Joy Dunne has been a force up front this season powering the Buckeyes' offense. She's getting support from Jocelyn Amos and Jenna Buglioni, and there is enough veteran experience in big games to believe Ohio State can do it again this year. Their blueline took a major hit in the offseason losing four to the PWHL, but Emma Peschel has emerged as one of the best in the nation. Aside from Peschel, Ohio State has lacked a true threat from the blueline. In net, Amanda Thiele looks like the goaltender they'll ride, although her numbers aren't among the best out there. This isn't the unbeatable team of the past as Minnesota proved in the WCHA semi-finals.

Cornell Big Red (#3)

There's never an easy game to score against Cornell. Annelies Bergmann is consistently one of the top goalies in NCAA women's hockey. In front of her, the Cornell blueline remains stacked to the brim with Rory Guilday, Ashley Messier, Alyssa Regalado, Grace Dwyer, and Piper Grober are a difficult core to get through. They not only defend well, but they can transition pucks up ice quickly to jumpstart the attack. It's how Cornell wins games. They defend, and defend, and then rely on opportunistic scoring. The team is the only remaining without a point-per-game player on their roster. It's a balanced attack, but one lacking the scoring punch of Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Ohio State. Team defense and Bergmann's goaltending will be the way through for Cornell.

Minnesota Golden Gophers (#4)

Don't count out the Golden Gophers. They can beat any team remaining on any given night. Up front Abbey Murphy, Ella Huber, Natalie Mlynkova, Josefin Bouveng, and Peyton Hemp are a formative offensive group. On the blueline, Minnesota matches up well with Nelli Laitinen, Chloe Primerano, and Sydney Morrow leading the way. There are few holes in Minnesota's lineup at any position. In net, Hannah Clark has been Minnesota's starter all season. Minnesota comes in as the lowest ranked team, but with perhaps the best chance to upset the rest.

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Preview: NCAA Women's Hockey Frozen Four

University of Wisconsin Badgers (#1)

Ohio State University Buckeyes (#2)

Cornell Big Red (#3)

Minnesota Golden Gophers (#4)

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