March Madness Arrives for College Hockey in 2025 NCAA Tournament

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — March Madness continues on the ice as 16 college hockey teams prepare to compete in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament. The tournament, which begins this weekend, will culminate in the Frozen Four, where teams will vie for national supremacy.

The 2025 tournament follows an exhilarating women’s championship and brings excitement as many of these players are future NHL prospects. Some notable teams include the Maine Black Bears, who won their first Hockey East title since 2004, and the UConn Huskies, making their inaugural tournament appearance.

Black Bears coach Ben Barr’s squad achieved a remarkable season with only two players, Harrison Scott and Taylor Makar, scoring over 30 points. Their success has largely stemmed from the outstanding performance of goaltender Albin Boija, whose 1.76 goals-against average ranks fourth in the NCAA.

“The last time Maine won the Hockey East title, they reached the national championship game,” Barr said. “We hope to replicate that success this year.”

The UConn Huskies, led by Coach of the Year Mike Cavanaugh, have emerged as contenders after nearly claiming the conference championship last week. They feature standout players Hudson Schandor and Joey Muldowney, both named Hockey East First-Team All-Stars.

“This team has come a long way, and we’re ready to showcase what we’ve accomplished,” Cavanaugh stated.

Quinnipiac Bobcats, fresh off a national championship two years ago, aim to return to glory despite a surprising defeat in the conference quarterfinals. Jeremy Wilmer and Matej Marinov have been crucial to the team’s offensive strategy, leading a roster with solid depth.

“It’s our sixth consecutive tournament appearance, and we’re hungry to make a deep run,” said head coach Rand Pecknold.

Among the hottest teams heading into the tournament are the Penn State Nittany Lions, who turned their season around to earn a spot in the regionals. Aiden Fink has been instrumental, leading the Big Ten in points.

Scheduled matchups this weekend include:

• (3) Quinnipiac vs. (2) Connecticut — Friday, 5 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
• (4) Penn State vs. (1) Maine — Friday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN+, TSN+)
• Regional Final — Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN+, TSN+)

In a highly competitive bracket, Boston College, backed by several NHL draft picks, is positioned as a favorite despite a recent loss. Head coach Greg Brown is optimistic about his team’s chances to advance to the Frozen Four for the first time since 2006.

“With the talent we have, I believe we can go far. We’ve worked hard to get here,” Brown remarked.

Defending champions, the Denver Pioneers, aim for a repeat performance despite a shaky regular season and an overtime loss in the NCHC championship. Jack Devine and Zeev Buium are standout players to watch.

The Pioneers face off against Providence Friars, who hope to overcome offensive struggles following an early exit in the Hockey East tournament. Goaltending and consistent scoring will be crucial for Providence to avoid an early exit.

Matchups for Friday include:

• (4) Bentley vs. (1) Boston College — Friday, 2 p.m. ET (ESPNU, ESPN+, TSN+)
• (3) Denver vs. (2) Providence — Friday, 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+, TSN+)
• Regional Final — Sunday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN+, TSN+)

Western Michigan enters the tournament with confidence after clinching their first NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship. The Broncos are determined to rewrite their NCAA Tournament history.

University of Minnesota enters the national tournament with ambitions despite a long layoff following an unexpected tournament exit. Talented forwards like Jimmy Snuggerud aim to lead the Gophers to their first Frozen Four berth since the 2023 championship game.

“We’ve taken the necessary steps to prepare, and I have no doubt our team is ready,” head coach Bob Motzko said.

The Minutemen from UMass also hope to capitalize on their past championship experience while looking for an upset against tougher competition.

Every team has a shot at glory in this thrilling tournament. As the matches get underway, all eyes will be on which squad will seize this opportunity to carve their name into college hockey history.