Penn State hockey returns to NCAA tournament, will face Michigan Tech
The tournament madness may have come to an end for the men’s basketball team, but Penn State’s March mayhem is just about to begin. Penn State’s ice hockey team was selected to participate in this year’s Division 1 men’s ice hockey championship tournament with hopes of playing in its first Frozen Four after finishing its season with a record of 21-15-1. That postseason run will begin on Friday with a matchup against Michigan Tech (24-10-4) in Allentown.
This is the third NCAA tournament berth for Penn State. It is Penn State’s first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2018 after making back-to-back appearances in 2017 and 2018. Penn State is serving as the host institution in Allentown, and the Nittany Lions figure to have a bit of a home-ice advantage in the PPL Center this weekend.
The matchup with Michigan Tech marks the first meeting between the two programs. If Penn State can get by Michigan Tech, a possible showdown with Big Ten champion Michigan could come next. Michigan will face Colgate in the other regional semifinal on Friday evening in Allentown. The winners of Friday night’s game will play each other on Sunday with a trip to the Frozen Four in Tampa on the line.
Penn State was 10-0 this season in non-conference play and was 1-3 against Michigan during the regular season. Two of those losses were decided by one goal, including an overtime loss at home earlier in the Big Ten schedule.
THE MATCH-UP IS SET ‼️
Penn State secures its third NCAA Tournament berth in the past seven years earning the No. 2 seed in Allentown and will battle third-seeded @mtuhky at the @PPLCenter on Friday, March 24 at 5 p.m.#WeAre #HockeyValley
🎟️ https://t.co/kXQ0EdAN0N pic.twitter.com/a9nYdTbr02
— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) March 19, 2023
Minnesota and Ohio State also made the NCAA tournament, giving the Big Ten four spots in the field. Minnesota is the top seed in the Fargo regional and will face Canisius in the first round, with a possible matchup with Minnesota State or St. Cloud State to follow. Ohio State will take on Harvard in the Bridgeport regional in Connecticut. The Buckeyes hope to face either Quinnipiac or Merrimack in the following round.
Penn State lost its only game played in the 2018 NCAA hockey tournament, losing 5-1 to Denver in Allentown. Denver also eliminated Penn State the previous season in the second round, after Penn State blasted Union 10-3 in the first round in Cincinnati.
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