DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Two of the biggest names in college hockey will square off in the NCAA Northeast Regional on Saturday, March 29, at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass.

Second-seeded Boston College and No. 3 seed Minnesota are slated for the second regional semifinal at 7:30 p.m., and those two programs have seven national titles and 39 Frozen Four appearances between them. The winner will advance to face either top-seeded Miami or No. 4 seed Air Force for the regional crown.

Here's some information about the middle two seeds:

Boston College

Nickname: Eagles

Location: Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Coach: Jerry York, 14th season

Record: 21-11-8

League: Hockey East

League record: 11-9-7 (fourth place)

Top scorer: Junior forward Nathan Gerbe (28 goals, 29 assists)

Top goaltender: Freshman John Muse (21-11-8 record, .919 save percentage, 2.26 goals-allowed average)

NCAA history: This is Boston College's 28th tournament appearance. The Eagles have reached the Frozen Four 20 times, winning national crowns in 1949 and 2001.

The skinny: The Eagles, national runners-up the last two seasons, simply reload every year. Boston College has caught fire at the right time, winning its last five games and the Hockey East tournament title behind Gerbe, a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

Minnesota

Nickname: Golden Gophers

Location: Minneapolis, Minn.

Coach: Don Lucia, ninth season

Record: 19-16-9

League: Western Collegiate Hockey Association

League record: 9-12-7 (seventh place)

Top scorer: Junior forward Blake Wheeler (15 goals, 19 assists)

Top goaltender: Freshman Alex Kangas (12-9-9 record, .932 save percentage, 1.92 goals-allowed average)

NCAA history: This is Minnesota's 32nd tournament appearance. The Gophers have been to the Frozen Four 19 times and captured national titles in 1974, '76, '79, 2002 and '03.

The skinny: The Gophers endured a difficult regular season, but have found their groove of late, reaching the WCHA tournament championship contest before losing to Denver. Minnesota wins with defense — the Gophers haven't scored more than five goals in a game all year.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2194 or rcassano@coxohio.com.