Merrimack College's men's ice hockey team, fresh off their first-ever Hockey East Championship, will face off against the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship on Thursday, March 26, at 8:30 PM EAST in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The match is part of the Sioux Regional Semifinals, with the winner advancing to face either Quinnipiac or Providence for a chance at the Frozen Four. This is Merrimack's fourth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and they are aiming to improve their postseason record after previous tough losses. North Dakota enters the game as the #1 seed in their region, following a strong regular season despite a recent defeat in the NCHC semifinals.

By the Numbers
  • Merrimack (21-15-2) won their Hockey East Championship with victories over UMass Lowell, Providence, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
  • North Dakota (27-9-1) is the #1 seed in their regional and recently lost in the NCHC semifinals by a score of 5-1.
Yes, But

North Dakota's experience and high seeding may present significant challenges for Merrimack, which has a mixed historical performance in the NCAA Tournament, with past appearances not yielding deep runs.

State of Play
  • Merrimack is riding high on their recent Hockey East Championship victory, gaining momentum heading into the tournament.
  • North Dakota, despite entering as a higher seed, was recently upset in the NCHC semifinals, raising questions about their current form.
What's Next

If Merrimack secures a win against North Dakota, they will advance to compete for a spot in the Frozen Four against the winner of the Quinnipiac vs. Providence match on March 28.

Bottom Line

Merrimack's strong performance in the Hockey East Championship has set the stage for a significant opportunity against a formidable opponent, and a victory could mark a turning point in their NCAA Tournament history.