The University of Michigan men's hockey team is looking to do something that its football team couldn't do on New Year's Eve.
Advance to the National Championship.
Michigan sportsbooks expect action on the NCAA Hockey Frozen Four, which starts Thursday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The No. 3 Wolverines (26-11-3) face No. 2 Quinnipiac University (32-4-3) in the second game of a doubleheader at 8:30 p.m. Top-ranked Minnesota (28-9-1) will face No. 5 Boston University (29-10) in the first game at 5 p.m.
The winners will advance to the national championship Saturday at 8 p.m. All games will be televised on ESPN2.
How Michigan Got Here
After going 0-2-2 in their last four games in February, the Wolverines have turned it on with six consecutive wins. During that span, they have outscored their opponents, 36-17, highlighted by a 13-2 outburst over its last two games at the NCAA Allentown Regional last week.
Quinnipiac University, which is located in Hamden, Conn., has won two straight and 14 of its last 15 games. Quinnipiac outscored its opponents in the NCAA Bridgewater Regional, 9-1, highlighted by a 4-1 victory over Michigan's rival, Ohio State. Quinnipiac advanced to the Frozen Four for the third time in school history and for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
Michigan, which leads the nation in scoring and is making its NCAA record 27th Frozen Four appearance, has posted a 3-1 neutral site record this season. Michigan has won nine national titles and is looking for its first since 1998.
Frozen Four Betting Odds
Michigan sports betting apps have the Wolverines favored in the semifinals.
WynnBET Sportsbook Michigan, as of early Tuesday afternoon, has the Wolverines as a -167 favorite over Quinnipiac (+125). Fellow Big 10 Conference member Minnesota is a -200 pick to upend Boston University (+148) in the first game.
Here are the WynnBET odds to win the National Championship: Minnesota (+150), Michigan (+250), Boston University (+375) and Quinnipiac (+400).
Meanwhile, BetMGM Sportsbook Michigan has Michigan as a -165 moneyline favorite over Quinnipiac (+135).
If Michigan and Minnesota prevail, it will be the sixth meeting of the season between the two schools. Minnesota won the first three matchups by a combined 15-8 margin. Michigan won the last two matchups, highlighted by a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the then top-ranked Gophers in the Big 10 Tournament final for its second consecutive conference championship.
With that victory, interim head coach Brandon Naurato signed a five-year contract to be the program’s permanent leader last Friday.
Stay close to BetMichigan.com for the latest on sports wagering in the state as well as for Michigan betting bonuses.
