Beaming from ear to ear, Steve Metcalf is congratulated everywhere he goes in St. Louis.

The Hockey East commissioner feels like he could float to the top of the Gateway Arch some 630 feet off the ground.

He can’t believe four of his teams make up the Frozen Four. One Hockey East team is guaranteed to skate around with the national championship trophy after HE teams captured the four regional championships.

An unlikely scenario? Sorry, Commissioner Metcalf, but yes. But possible? Yes. Hockey East has six teams in the 16-team NCAA Tournament field and the battle-tested league has representatives in each regional.

In 1999, three of the Frozen Four teams hailed from Hockey East, as Maine edged UNH, 3-2, in overtime in the final.

This year’s national tournament begins Thursday with four games, with four more to follow Friday.

Buckle up, the Herald picks each game all the way to the national championship game April 12 at the Enterprise Center.

Fargo Regional

Thursday: Minnesota (25-10-4) vs. UMass (20-13-5)

Two teams that will have to scrape off the rust. Minnesota hasn’t played since March 9. UMass fell in the HE quarterfinals March 15.

Pick: Minnesota, 3-1. Jimmy Snuggerud (22-27-49), Matthew Wood (17-21-38) and the Golden Gophers wear down the Minutemen.

Thursday: Western Michigan (30-7-1) vs. Minnesota State (28-9-3)

A matchup between the nation’s highest-scoring team (Western Michigan) and a lock-down defensive team (Minnesota State).

Pick: Western Michigan, 2-1. The Broncos, the No. 4 overall seed, are unusual because they feature two dominant goalies in Cameron Rowe (.924 save percentage) and Hampton Slukynsky (.918).

Friday’s pick: Western Michigan, 5, Minnesota 1.

Toledo Regional

Thursday: Boston University (21-13-2) vs. Ohio State (24-13-2)

While Ohio State is coming off a terrific performance in a double-overtime loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten final, BU is trying to forget its 5-2 loss to UConn in a Hockey East semifinal.

Pick: Ohio State 4, BU 3: The Hutson brothers are sublime for the Terriers, but ex-Northeastern star Gunnarwolfe Fontaine (17-23-40) and the Buckeyes advance.

Thursday: Michigan State (26-6-4) vs. Cornell (18-10-6)

On paper, this looks like a mismatch. Michigan State has been one of the nation’s best teams all season. Cornell won the ECAC title as a No. 6 seed.

Pick: Michigan State, 4-1. Isaac Howard (26-25-51) and the Spartans are hitting their stride.

Friday’s pick: Michigan State 4, Ohio State 1.

Manchester Regional

Friday: Boston College (26-7-2) vs. Bentley (23-14-2)

Bentley goaltender Connor Hasley has 11 shutouts to easily lead the nation. If he earns his 12th against the Eagles, folks in Waltham should name the arena after him. BC, the No. 1 team in the field, figures to be plenty salty after falling to Northeastern in the HE quarterfinals.

Pick: BC, 3-0. Andy Jones has done a magnificent job in leading Bentley to its first NCAA Tournament appearance, but Ryan Leonard & Co. are too talented.

Friday: Providence (21-10-5) vs. Denver (29-11-1)

Tough matchup for the Friars. While Providence’s top scorer has 23 points, Denver has eight players with 26 or more points led by Jack Devine (13-43-56).

Pick: Denver, 4-2. Nate Leaman will have the Friars ready to go, but Denver has too much firepower and tournament experience.

Saturday’s pick: BC 4, Denver 3 (OT)

Allentown Regional

Friday: UConn (22-11-4) vs. Quinnipiac (24-11-2)

An intriguing all-Connecticut battle. UConn won the regular-season clash Jan. 24, 2-1, and the Huskies will rely heavily on 40-point scorers Joey Muldowney, Jake Richard and Hudson Schandor.

Pick: UConn, 2-1. The Huskies win the rematch by not letting Quinnipiac dominate the special teams. The Bobcats have the nation’s top power play and are No. 3 in penalty killing.

Friday: Maine (24-7-6) vs. Penn State (20-13-4)

Maine is soaring after winning its first Hockey East title since 2004. Penn State has a high-powered offense and averages 3.51 goals per game, seventh best in the nation. But the Black Bears allow the third-lowest goals (1.89) per game.

Pick: Maine, 2-1. The Black Bears play a heavy game and it pays off with a narrow victory.

Saturday’s pick: Maine 5, UConn 3.

Semifinals

BC vs. Western Michigan. Get ready for some high-octane hockey. Alex Bump (23-23-46) and the Broncos average 4.05 goals per game, No. 1 in the nation. BC’s top line of Leonard-Gabe Perreault-James Hagens has combined for 54 goals and 129 points.

Pick: Western Michigan, 5-4 (OT)

Maine vs. Michigan State. A clash between two of the country’s most balanced teams. There are few weaknesses. The Spartans have the nation’s eighth-best offense and fourth-best defense. But Maine sophomore Albin Boija is the difference.

Pick: Maine, 3-2 (OT)

Championship

Maine lost in the first round of last year’s tournament. Western Michigan didn’t make the 16-team field. That’s the beauty of college hockey.

Western Michigan has never won a national title. Maine has won two, but the last was in 1999. Midwest vs. East. It should be a classic. In the end, the best team (by season’s end, anyway) from the best league celebrates in St. Louis

Pick: Maine, 2-1.