Photo: Harvard University Hockey
The NCAA Men’s Hockey tournament is set to begin this week, with three Washington Capitals prospects – Ryan Chesley, Mitchell Gibson, and Chase Clark, all competing in the season’s final collegiate tournament.
Ryan Chesley – University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
Defenseman Ryan Chesley (NHL 2022 Entry Draft – Round 2 – Pick #37) is a freshman with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Gophers, who finished first in the Big Ten Conference for the regular season, have an overall record of 26-9-1 and are entering the NCAA Tournament as the #1 overall seed.
The Gophers remain the top seed, even after losing in the Big Ten Finals to the Michigan Wolverines. They begin play against No. 4-seed Canisius on Thursday, March 23 in Fargo, North Dakota in Scheels Arena. The Gophers are making their NCAA-record 40th all-time appearance at the postseason.
Chesley has been the 6th/7th defenseman for the Gophers in recent games, following his return from a late-season upper body injury. For the season so far, Chesley has played in 32 games, scored two goals and recorded seven assists. He is +14. He has made 48 shots on goal and blocked 47 shots.
Photo: Ryan Chesley/Minnesota Golden Gophers
Chase Clark – Quinnipiac University Bobcats
Goaltender Chase Clark (NHL Entry Draft – Round 6 – Pick #183) is a freshman with the Quinnipiac University Bobcats. The Bobcats finished in first place in the ECAC for the regular season, but fell in the ECAC Semi-Finals to Colgate University, compiling an overall record of 30-4-3.
The Bobcats earned an “at-large” berth and will play as the top seed in the Bridgeport Regional on Friday against Merrimack University. Overall, they are the second seed. It is their fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA championship.
The winner of Friday’s game will take on the winner of the Harvard University/Ohio State University game, with the winner of that matchup moving on to play in the Frozen Four in Tampa, Florida.
Clark will likely not play much in the game as he has served as the backup goaltender to collegiate superstar netminder Yaniv Perets, who won his second consecutive ECAC goaltender of the year award. For the season, Clark has played in eight games, all in relief. He has played a total of 78:29. He has made a total of 21 saves out of 25 shots for a .840 save percentage and has a goals against average of 3.06.
Mitchell Gibson – Harvard University Crimson
Mitchell Gibson (2018 NHL Draft – Round 4 — #124 Overall) is a senior with the Harvard University Crimson. Harvard finished second in the ECAC for the regular season and finished second in the ECAC Championship tournament where they fell to Colgate.
Harvard compiled a record of 24-7-2 and will meet Ohio State on Friday in the Bridgeport Regional. They will meet the winner of the game between Quinnipiac and Merrimack University and play them for the “right” to participate in the Final Four in Tampa.
Gibson finished the season with a 18-6-2 record, a 2.05 GAA (7th in the NCAA) and a .925 save percentage. He will start all games for Harvard.
Tournament Bracket And Schedule
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Live updates: 2023 DI men’s ice hockey championship | NCAA.com
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By Diane Doyle
That Michigan v Minnesota game was phenomenal. Can’t wait for this!
I’d also keep Boston University in mind (not just cause I’m a BU fan/alum), Caps had Nick Zabaneh as a free agent camp invite last prospect camp iirc. Could be a decent Hershey guy in a depth role
Minnesota and Qujinnipiac are through to the next round, but Harvard got bounced 8-1.
From The Rink Live: Ohio State netted eight goals from six different skaters in the game. Harvard made a goaltending change to start the final 20 minutes as Mitchell Gibson (WSH) swapped out for Derek Mullahy. But the Buckeyes weren’t done yet — they added an eighth goal less than two minutes into the third period. Gibson then came back in during the final minutes of the game and Harvard scored their lone goal of the match on the power play with just three minutes remaining. Final shots on goal were 44-22 in favor of OSU. Mitchell Gibson 15-12-0—27 (7GA)