Michigan Seeks 10th NCAA Hockey Title

Michigan will make its ninth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division I hockey playoffs. But it’s the number 10 that’s more significant to the Wolverines.

Michigan, which beat Boston College to win last year’s title, has the opportunity to claim a record 10th championship. Accomplishing that won’t be easy.

Seeded fifth in the East during Sunday’s selection, the Wolverines face fourth-seeded Denver in the first round of the 12-team tournament, which starts Friday. Denver is on a roll, winning 12 of its last 15 games, including its conference tournament.

If Michigan gets past Denver, awaiting the Wolverines is second-ranked New Hampshire, which received the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.

“That bye is real important for us,” New Hampshire Coach Dick Umile said. “Getting that we feel is going to help us and hopefully we’ll have a chance to move on to the final four.”

The Arrowhead Pond will host the final four--two semifinal games April 1 and the championship April 3.

About 3,000 tickets remain for the event, according to a Pond official. Seats are $75 and $90 for the three-game package.

In the East’s other first-round game, Maine plays Ohio State. The winner takes on Clarkson.

In the West, top-ranked North Dakota and third-ranked Michigan State earned the two top seeds. First-round games feature Boston College against Northern Michigan and Colorado College facing St. Lawrence.