Perhaps that explains the subdued reaction when ESPN cut to the Eagles as the brackets were revealed during Sunday’s NCAA Tournament selection show. Of course, it also could be that there was very little mystery when it came to the bracket. The 16 teams were known by Saturday night, and trying to figure out the matchups was not a difficult task.

For New England college hockey fans, this is a special NCAA Tournament. Of the 16 teams that will begin play this week, eight hail from the six-state region, including four Massachusetts schools.