Ever wonder who’s tougher – football players or hockey players? If so, here’s a good story from the Frozen Four that provides key evidence in support of the hockey player.

It involves a spleen and a close call with death. You’ll love it.

 I’m bringing this gory tale to your attention because the Frozen Four goes today in Washington, D.C. where Boston University faces Vermont in one national semifinal and Cinderella story Bemidji State takes on Miami (Ohio) in the other.

This is a great event to bet because, like Polish soccer or Croatian volleyball, oddsmakers aren’t exactly keeping a hawk eye on college pucks. Plus, it’s great hockey to watch with tons of speed and intensity if you like that sort of thing.

Pinnacle opened Miami -230 against the Beav and BU is set at -240 over Vermont. Both totals were set at 5 ½ goals and I like the under in both.

Here’s who I’m taking, based on what I saw two weekends ago while watching some of the regionals: Bemidji on the puckline +1 ½ (-142) and also a small moneyline wager. I like BU to win the tourney but I won’t be shocked if Vermont takes it to OT.

Bemidji is an underrated squad because of its size, seeding and the fact many believe they only have one line. While it’s true one line does most of the scoring, it’s not really fair to say they only have one line.

This team can motor and the Beavers smother you all night with a relentless forecheck. The Beavs are getting great goaltending at the right time from Matt Dalton too and I can see them sneaking by a bigger, but slower Miami squad.

In the other game, BU is just the best team in the tourney across the board. The Terriers also probably have the best goaltender in D.C. in Kieran Millan. He’s a frosh but he’s 27-2-3 and has a 1.85 goals against average. Not too shabby.

Both games are on the Deuce on national TV and should be a great way to start the Easter weekend, even if you’re only watching on commercials during the Masters.