NCAA Frozen Four preview: A look at the opening matchups of college hockey's biggest tournament

The opening round of the NCAA National Championships will start today, with the top 16 teams in college hockey vying for a spot in the Frozen Four. Similar to basketball's March Madness, the game will be played with the winner moving on and the loser being eliminated.

"Championship season continues this week across ESPN platforms! Thursday, the puck drops on the men's @NCAAIceHockey Tournament & continues through the #MFrozenFour Details: http://bit.ly/3ngywub | #NCAAHockey" - ESPN PR

With action set to begin today at 2 pm ET, a deeper dive into every matchup will get fans and first-timers ready for all of the college hockey action.

The quest for the Frozen Four begins with Boston University vs. Western Michigan - 2 pm ET

Boston University will enter the matchup with Western Michigan as the betting favorite, however, either team can win this game. Boston may have the most talented player in this matchup in the form of defenseman Lane Hutson, who led the NCAA in points by a defenseman with 14 goals and 33 assists in 36 games.

Ryan McAllister will be the top star for Western Michigan, with the 21-year-old forward posting 13 goals and 35 assists in 38 games for the Broncos. McAllister is an undrafted free agent who may be able to prove himself to teams throughout the tournament.

The defending champion Denver is taking on Cornell in the second matchup of the Manchester bracket of the opening round - 5:30 pm ET

Last season, the Denver Pioneers finished the season as the Frozen Four champions, defeating Minnesota State 5-1. Denver will look to defend its title this year and feature Michael Benning, who was named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player and is set to lead Denver yet again this year. He was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 2020 NHL Draft.

"Denver Pioneers will capture their 10th championship in program history and go back-to-back. Book it." - @Justkevooo

Cornell may have been disappointed to see Denver as their opening-round matchup, as they will enter the game as the heavy underdogs. Gabriel Seger will be Cornell's player to watch after posting seven goals and 22 assists in 28 games.

St. Cloud State is set to take on its in-state rivals Minnesota State - 5 pm ET

St. Cloud State currently have higher odds of winning the Frozen Four, however, neither team is expected to make a deep run in the tournament. Current odds have St. Cloud State sitting at +1200, whereas Minnesota State are at +2800 to win the entire tournament.

David Silye of Minnesota State (23 goals, 16 assists) and Jami Krannila of St. Cloud State (21 goals, 19 assists) will be the top players entering this matchup. While neither team is expected to win the Frozen Four, it will allow a Minnesota team to advance.

Minnesota, the current favorite to win the Frozen Four, will begin its road to the title against Canisius

It was an unfortunate draw for Canisius, as they are matched up against Minnesota in the first round of the tournament. At +25000 to win the championship, Canisius will have the opportunity to pull off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history, as Minnesota sits at +250 to win it all.

Logan Cooley of the University of Minnesota, the third-overall pick of the Arizona Coyotes during the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, won the bronze medal for the United States during the 2023 World Junior Championships.

"Previewing the @NCAAIceHockey men's regional championship: Prospect analyst @SEllisHockey on every NHL-affiliated player to know in the 16-team field, from Logan Cooley to Luke Hughes and more" - Daily Faceoff

In 35 games with the University of Minnesota this season, he has scored 19 goals and 33 assists and will be looking to lead Minnesota past Canisius in their opening game, en route to a Frozen Four title.