Four Panthers Prospects Punch Their Tickets to the 2014 Frozen Four

After a wild weekend that even college basketball fans would admit was ripe with madness, a whopping four Florida Panthers prospects remain in play as the NCAA D-1 Men’s Hockey Tournament field shrank from 16 to four teams this past weekend.

Of the original eight “College Cats” that qualified for this year’s tournament, just Rocco Grimaldi (North Dakota), Ian McCoshen (Boston College), Mike Matheson (Boston College) and Kyle Rau (Minnesota) remain with a chance to take home college hockey’s top-prize.

First to punch a ticket to Philadelphia was North Dakota forward Rocco Grimaldi whose hat-trick against top-seeded Wisconsin helped UND cruise to victory in the tournament’s opening round. Though they are recognized as one of the most prominent programs in collegiate hockey, Grimaldi’s opening round heroics may have helped North Dakota rediscover their swagger after having snuck into this year’s tournament as a #4 seed.

In the round of eight, UND forward Connor Gaarder scored off a rebound just 1: 28 into double overtime to give North Dakota a 2-1 victory over Ferris State, propelling the team to their 20th Frozen Four in school history.

Though his stick was silent during the team’s second game, Grimaldi’s inspired play through the first two rounds of the tournament earned him MVP honors as the top-player from the Midwest Region.

College Cats: Panthers’ NCAA Prospects Weekend Report – Feb. 28-Mar. 1

“College Cats” is a weekly article throughout the collegiate hockey season in which we here at Panther Parkway update you on the recent exploits and happenings of all of the Florida Panthers’ NCAA prospects.

Here is how your “College Cats” fared over the weekend of February 28 – Mar. 1.

Forwards

F – Rocco Grimaldi (University of North Dakota)

GP: 2

P: 2 (1-1-2)

Shots: 10

PIM: 6

+/-: 0

Blks: 2

Note: Using his exceptional speed, Rocco Grimaldi was able to earn his third short-handed goal of the season during a 3-1 loss to St. Cloud State.