Excitement Grows as NCHC Frozen Faceoff Approaches at Xcel Energy Center

Excitement is building at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul as the NCHC Frozen Faceoff approaches.

Teams are gearing up for the second-to-last event at the arena, with signs and logos adorning the building.

UNO forward Louis Jamernik V is eager to see the arena filled with anticipation for the upcoming matchups.

As UND gears up to face Omaha in one semifinal, and Denver takes on St. Cloud State in the other, fans are buzzing with anticipation.

UND has seen past success at the Xcel Energy Center, winning three of its last four WCHA Final Fives there.

However, the transition to the NCHC era has brought mixed results for the Fighting Hawks.

Despite winning the NCHC Frozen Faceoff in 2021, UND has struggled in semifinals and title games at the Twin Cities arena.

Omaha, on the other hand, has found success in one-goal games this season, boasting an impressive 16-2 record in such matchups.

The Mavericks have shown resilience and discipline, especially compared to previous seasons.

Denver, missing key players like Massimo Rizzo and Carter King, has relied on its depth and young talent to maintain a strong record.

St. Cloud State has seen a surprise emergence in freshman goalie Isak Posch, who has stepped up in critical moments for the team.

As teams prepare for intense showdowns, rivalries and playoff implications add extra layers of excitement to the tournament.

Colorado College's fate in the NCAA tournament hangs in the balance, dependent on this weekend's outcomes.

Despite the stakes, teams are focused on controlling what they can and putting their best game forward as they aim for postseason success.