Four days after basketball season has ended, sports fans now have one last outlet to fill their collegiate addiction for the next few months: the NCAA hockey championship. This year’s Frozen Four in Buffalo, N.Y. has an especially eclectic feel, as it marks the first season since 1989 that representatives from four different conferences will compete for the national title. Here is the breakdown for today’s semifinal matchups.

Cornell vs. New Hampshire

Today’s afternoon matchup pits arguably this season’s top two college hockey teams east of the Mississippi. Cornell, the ECAC tournament and regular season champion, proved its worth in the first two rounds of the tournament by easily dispatching Minnesota State in the opening round before knocking off Boston College in the East Regional final. Cynics were extremely skeptical of the Big Red before the tournament, despite their dominant 28-4-1 record, due to the fact that they play in the relatively weak “EZ-AC,” and also had a mediocre non-conference schedule.

But the boys from Ithaca, N.Y. have worked to quash those rumors, as they have won their last 11 contests and have dropped only one game since Jan. 4, a span of 22 games. The backbone of this team is unquestionably goaltender Dave LeNeveu, who has posted some of the best numbers in college hockey history. His 1.14 GAA is the lowest ever, and his 28-2-1 record would make even Dominik Hasek green with envy. But Cornell coach Mike Schafer is doing his best to eliminate his team’s stigma as a defensive team. The Big Red boast two 40-point scorers in Ryan Vesce and Stephen Baby, and defenseman Doug Murray was named an East First Team All-American yesterday.

But despite being the No. 1 team in the nation, Cornell is considered an underdog by many fans because the Wildcats present more than a formidable challenge to the Big Red’s national title hopes. Like Cornell, UNH won both the Hockey East regular season and tourney titles, and comes into Buffalo riding a 12-game unbeaten streak.

While the ECAC champs might have a Hobey Baker candidate in the crease, the Wildcats’ Mike Ayers is no slouch, as he has posted a microscopic 2.14 GAA, second in the nation behind LeNeveu. UNH is also arguably one of the most offensively deep squads in the nation, as 16 ‘Cats have at least 10 points on the season. Lanny Gare, the team’s leading scorer (51 points), will not be in uniform for today’s game due to a dislocated shoulder suffered in the regional final against Boston University, but the rest of the Wildcats have proven they can step up when needed.

Fans should expect a low-scoring affair, as Cornell prefers a tight checking game and tries to capitalize on offensive opportunities when it can. And UNH, despite all its offensive talent, has to deal with a goaltender having one of the greatest seasons ever. But Ayers will continue to have the hot hand, and this year’s Wildcat squad will erase the memories of last year’s trip to the Frozen Four in which it lost to Maine by five goals.

Prediction: New Hampshire 2, Cornell 1

Michigan vs. Minnesota

The Golden Gophers proved they could continue their strong play from last season’s national title campaign by finishing second this season in the always-tough WCHA, behind Colorado College, the nation’s No. 1 team for a large percentage of the year. Thomas Vanek, one of the country’s premier freshmen, led the Gophers in scoring with 58 points, second nationally among rookies. Vanek picked up the slack after the departure of scoring machine John Pohl and Hobey Baker winner Jordan Leopold from the Twin Cities. With its top five scorers each having at least 38 points, the Gophers can blow any team out of the water at any point. Minnesota had a relatively pain-free road to the Frozen Four, demolishing MAAC cupcake Mercyhurst in the first round and eliminating Ferris State in front of its home fans to advance to Buffalo.

Like Minnesota, the Wolverines had the benefit of hosting their regional in Ann Arbor at Yost Ice Arena, a barn in which they are nearly unbeatable come postseason time. Despite being outplayed by both Maine and Colorado College at points, Michigan survived its first two games due to the heroics of baby-faced netminder Al Montoya. Montoya, who just turned 18 less than two months ago, allowed one goal in the first round to the Black Bears and shut down CC’s top-ranked offense down the stretch to send the Wolverines to Buffalo. Michigan has a freshman of its own, Jeff Tambellini (46 points), that gives it the most scoring punch, but its supporting cast of players such as Jed Ortmeyer and Eric Nystrom make the Wolverines a dangerous squad.

Expect open ice and a more up-and-down style in this matchup than in the previous game. Minnesota and Michigan met once before this year, with the Wolverines emerging on top, but the Gophers have the psychological edge, as they defeated Michigan in last year’s national semifinal.

They also have the talent.

Prediction: Minnesota 5, Michigan 3

National Championship: New Hampshire vs. Minnesota (Saturday)

Prior to the 2001-02 season, the Wildcats had never even won a Hockey East championship, let alone a national title. Fans (mostly from Maine and BC) dubbed UNH the “University of No Hardware,” and for good reason. But after the Wildcats captured their second straight conference championship, they are poised to eliminate all postseason demons.

After five unfruitful attempts at the national crown, coach Dick Umile and his bunch finally get their title.

Prediction: New Hampshire 4, Minnesota 3

Andy Vogt is a Collegian Columnist.