An NCAA Hockey Tourney First: All 5 Minnesota Teams Are In
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA men's hockey tournament bracket this year has a first: all five Division I programs from Minnesota made the 16-team field. The University of Minnesota is the No. 3 overall seed.
The Gophers are joined by Minnesota State, Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State and Bemidji State.
The late Minnesota coach Herb Brooks is best known for the U.S. Olympic victory known as the “Miracle On Ice.” But he spoke often of his desire to grow the college game in his home state.
Regional play begins today. In Bridgeport, Connecticut, Lake Superior State plays Massachusetts and Bemidji State faces No. 4 overall seed Wisconsin.
In Fargo, North Dakota, Minnesota Duluth plays Michigan and No. 1 overall seed North Dakota faces American International on Friday.
St. Cloud State plays Boston University on Saturday in Albany, New York. The winner will play No. 2 overall seed Boston College, which advanced because Notre Dame was forced to withdraw because of coronavirus issues in the program.
Minnesota faces Omaha in the first round on Saturday with two wins needed to reach the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh on April 8.