NEWSLETTER
It all gets rolling tomorrow night in Tampa, where the Frozen Four will be played. After long seasons, four teams have advanced to the championship semifinals with a chance to make history.
This year will crown a new champion; Denver was eliminated earlier in the tournament. Their captain, Cole Guttman, signed with the Blackhawks after — ironically — Tampa didn’t offer him a deal. This year, there’s a 25 percent chance the Blackhawks will have prospect(s) winning a title.
Goaltender Drew Commesso — his region’s Most Outstanding Player — and forward Ryan Greene will take the ice for Boston University in the early game before Frank Nazar will skate for the University of Michigan skate in the second game at the Frozen Four.
Here’s the schedule for your viewing interests:
The championship game will take place on Saturday night at 7:00 PM CT. That game will also be on ESPN2.
Boston University
Greene, a true freshman the Blackhawks drafted in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, is tied for third on the Terriers with 31 points (nine goals, 22 assists) in 37 games. He was also credited with 18 blocked shots this season and has been working primarily as BU’s second-line center.
Commesso, a junior who the Blackhawks selected with the 46th overall pick in 2020, appeared in 33 games for BU this season. He posted a .914 save percentage with two shutouts and was exceptional in the regional.
University of Michigan
Nazar was selected 13th overall by the Blackhawks with the first pick they received in the Kirby Dach trade. His season started late — and was in question if he would play at all — because of a leg injury but he made his way into the lineup late in the season and helped a fast Michigan team get faster. He has two goals and five assists for seven points in 12 appearances this season.
Of course, Blackhawks fans might want to keep an eye on freshmen Adam Fantilli and Gavin Brindley as well. Both are eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft, with Fantilli being considered the likely No. 2 pick behind Connor Bedard.
