Michigan to Meet Mercyhurst in West Regional Opener

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team received good news on Sunday (March 18) that the Wolverines will be traveling to Grand Rapids, Mich., for the NCAA West Regional next Saturday afternoon (March 24) at Van Andel Arena. Michigan, the regional's No. 3 seed, will take on No. 6 seed Mercyhurst College at 5:30 p.m., with the winner going against St. Cloud State on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. St. Cloud State received a first-round bye by virtue of its No. 2 seed.

"I know some people think it's good playing a game and not getting the bye into the final," said U-M head coach Red Berenson. "If you have the bye, you have the advantage. I'll take a bye even if I have to go out East."

Michigan will be appearing in its 11th consecutive NCAA Tournament, the longest current streak among all Division I ice hockey programs. Overall, the Wolverines will be playing in their 24th NCAA Tournament, which ranks third behind Minnesota and Boston University, who each have 25 appearances.

Berenson is also going to his 11th consecutive NCAA Tournament, the longest streak of any current coach. Only one coach has gone to more consecutive NCAA Tournaments in the history of the sport -- Doug Woog of Minnesota made 12 straight NCAA appearances from 1986 to 1997.

"This is always a special time of year for me," said Berenson. "This is what you play for and we're going to keep playing. I like the way my team is playing even if we lost last night to Michigan State. It's a fine line to get better and do what we need to do to keep playing, but I like where our team is right now."

Mercyhurst, making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, made it to the West Regional by virtue of its 6-5 win over Quinnipiac in the MAAC Championship final Saturday afternoon. U-M has never played a team in the MAAC, let alone Mercyhurst.

"The toughest thing we have to do now is get ready for a team we don't know anything about," said Berenson. "We have to plan on getting ready for Saturday; that's our job now."

Michigan State is also in Grand Rapids but is in the opposite bracket. The Spartans, the No. 1 seed, will play the winner of Saturday's Providence-Wisconsin game. The Friars play the Badgers at 2 p.m., and the winner of that game advances to the 2 p.m. game Sunday against MSU.

Tickets for the West Regional are now on sale through the Michigan Ticket Office (734-764-0247). The all-session pass (two games each day) is $50.

Contact: Bruce Madej (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

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