Last week, Big Ten hockey wrapped up a rough sophomore year. No team distinguished itself much above the others. This was bad news during the regular season but it might (weirdly) have a positive effect on the conference tournament.
Nearly every entrant has a reasonable shot to claim both the trophy and an auto-bid to the NCAA tournament. Every team except Wisconsin recorded at least one win over each of its conference opponents this season. The tourney champs will likely be the Big Ten's only representative at this year's big dance. The Gophers are on the bubble for an at-large bid, but they could get bumped by the B1G autobid.
| BIG TEN TOURNEY SCHEDULE | game times |
|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | Thursday |
| Ohio State vs. Penn State | 4:30 pm |
| Wisconsin vs. Michigan | 8:00 pm |
| Semifinals | Friday |
| OSU/PSU winner vs. Minnesota | 4:30 pm |
| WIS/MCH winner vs. Michigan State | 8:00 pm |
| Championship | Saturday |
| Semifinal winners | 8:00 pm |
All five tournament games will be broadcast live on BTN and streamed via BTN2Go. Teams are not reseeded between rounds. If Ohio State advances past Penn State the Buckeyes will face Minnesota in the semifinals. Michigan State awaits the winner of Wisconsin-Michigan.
Here’s a quick look at each team’s title chances. Predicting which one will emerge victorious is not an easy task, but I gave it my best shot based on what I’ve observed over the course of the season. Since single elimination among such parity is a prognosticator’s nightmare, I also got you a second opinion from that classic foreteller of futures, the Magic 8-Ball.
No. 1 Minnesota
There is no reason the talented, well-rounded Gophers shouldn't win the conference tournament. Then again, there was no reason they shouldn't have mopped the floor with a mediocre Big Ten instead of squeaking by the Spartans on the last day of the regular season to claim the B1G title.
So, will Minnesota win the Big Ten tournament?
Writer: It seems to me that the Gophers play down to the level of their competition more often than they play up to their potential. I don’t think “good enough” will be good enough for a tourney championship. They’re the best team in the conference but my gut says they’re going to come up short this week.
Magic 8-Ball: My sources say no.
No. 2 Michigan State
The Spartans are the only team in the Big Ten this season to play consistent defense backed by consistently good goaltending. If they had half as much success at putting the puck in the net they'd have burnt the B1G to the ground. As long as the team musters some goal support for goalie Jake Hildebrand MSU is going to be hard to beat.
So, will Michigan State win the Big Ten tournament?
Writer: I think Michigan and Michigan State are going to meet in Friday night’s semifinal. I also think the winner of that game is going to be the tourney champ. When in doubt, go with the defense. The Spartans are my pick.
Magic 8-Ball: Outlook good.
No. 3 Michigan
No question, the Wolverines have an offense to rival any in college hockey. They post four-goal games as frequently as internet users post cat videos. Defensively, they just manage to be adequate. Struggles in their own end could prevent a Big Ten tourney victory and cause Michigan to miss its third consecutive NCAA tournament.
So, will Michigan win the Big Ten tournament?
Writer: The Wolverines are limping into the postseason. In the last month they’ve managed just two wins over non-Wisconsin opponents. So naturally Michigan will win the tournament. Because the hockey gods hate us. Seriously, though, I think the Spartans will edge the mitten weasels out in the semis.
Magic 8-Ball: Outlook not so good.
No. 4 Penn State
The Nittany Lions' program took a big step forward this season, competing on perfectly equal footing with their more established brethren. Their everything-to-the-net game plan isn't flashy, but it is effective and the players have bought into it completely. They’ll need to complement it with an unusually strong effort in net to have a chance at the tourney title.
So, will Penn State win the Big Ten tournament?
Writer: I think it’s unlikely. PSU is 1-8-0 away from Pegula Ice Arena since the holiday break. The Lions were also just 2-6-0 vs OSU and Minnesota this season and they’d have to get through both teams just to reach the finals.
Magic 8-Ball: As I see it, yes.
No. 5 Ohio State
The Buckeyes don't really have a skater capable of singlehandedly turning games around, so their tourney success hinges on a team-wide elevation in play. However, the Bucks are one of the conference’s hottest teams. They’re playing their best hockey of the season at exactly the right time.
So, will Ohio State win the Big Ten tournament?
Writer: Back-to-back-to-back wins will be difficult, especially if the power play continues to be a non-factor, but the Bucks have a real chance to pull this off. They start with PSU, a team against which they’ve fared well. Good news, unless it means the Bucks get caught looking ahead to the next round and make an early exit instead.
Magic 8-Ball: Most likely.
No. 6 Wisconsin
This just wasn't the Badgers' year. They had a huge amount of roster turnover, and senior goalie Joel Rumpel, expected to take up the slack from a flotilla of freshmen, had a pedestrian season. It will take a small miracle and a Herculean effort by the man between the pipes for Wisconsin to win three in a row.
So, will Wisconsin win the Big Ten tournament?
Writer: No.
Magic 8-Ball: Don’t count on it.
To recap, I’m going with Michigan State, maybe Michigan or Ohio State. The Magic 8-Ball favors all teams whose names end in "State." What about you? Which team do you think will claim the Big Ten tournament and the conference’s NCAA auto-bid?
