On Sunday, the NCAA Division I men's hockey selection committee announced the Wildcats will face No. 11-ranked Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in the West Regional on Friday, March 28 at the Colorado Springs World Arena in Colorado Spring, Colo.
The meeting will be the fourth all-time between the 'Cats and the Irish, and their first in tournament play. UNH owns a 12-21 all-time record in the NCAA playoffs. Including a 10-13 all-time record under head coach Dick Umile. The Wildcats have qualified for the tournament in the last seven seasons, they are one of only three Division I teams along with Minnesota and Michigan to accomplish that feat. This will mark the 'Cats 18th appearance in the tournament and the 14th trip under Umile's guidance. UNH's senior class becomes the fifth class in school history to earn a berth in the NCAA's in all four seasons of competition. UNH has appeared in seven Frozen Fours to go along with two national championship appearances. In addition, this year marks the fourth time in program history and the first since 2003, the team has earned a number-one seed.
The No. 1 seeded Wildcats, who are the third overall seed in the tournament, are coming off of a 5-4 triple overtime loss to No. 7-ranked Boston College on Friday, March 21 in the Hockey East semifinals at the TD Banknorth Garden. UNH owns a 25-9-3 record on the year with a 19-5-3 record in league play after winning the Hockey East regular-season title for the second-straight season and seventh time in school history.
No. 4 seed Notre Dame (24-15-4), like UNH, earned one of 10 at large bids coming off an impressive regular season. The Irish, who earn their second-straight tournament berth, beat Ferris State in CCHA quarterfinals capturing the last two games in a best of three series, lost to Miami (OH) in the semifinals and fell to Northern Michigan in the third-place game.
Overall, the Wildcats are 4-0-0 lifetime against the Fighting Irish. The two teams last met on Nov. 27, 1999 a 2-1 win at the Whittemore Center.
In the other first-round game in Colorado Springs, No. 2 seed and regional host Colorado College will play host to the defending National Champions and third-seeded Michigan State in the 10 p.m. (EST) on Friday. The winners of both semifinals will play in the regional final on Saturday night at 10 p.m. (EST).
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