Despite loss, icers gain No. 3 at Yost

NCAA West Regional host Michigan opens Friday against Princeton at 8:30 p.m.

For the first time in seven seasons, the Michigan hockey team was a bubble team for the NCAA Tournament.

But after waiting patiently since Friday night after losing, 4-2, to Ohio State in the CCHA semifinals, the Wolverines can relax.

They're in.

"I personally feel that we deserved to be in because of our record, not because of our recent play," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "I feel fortunate that we get a chance to rebound in a tournament environment."

JOHN KRAFT/Daily After losing Friday night to Ohio State, Geoff Koch and his Michigan teammates have set their sights on the NCAAs.

Michigan is the third seed in the West Regional, to be held at Yost Ice Arena, and will face sixth-seeded Princeton on Friday at 8:30 p.m., with the winner advancing to face No. 2 seed North Dakota on Saturday.

On the other side of the West bracket, top seed Michigan State will face the winner of the game between fourth seed Ohio State and fifth seed Yale. With a loaded bracket, the excitement of making the cut could be short-lived. Yost will host four of the top eight teams (No. 1 North Dakota, No. 2 Michigan State, No. 5 Michigan and No. 7 Ohio State), including the top two.

Nevertheless, Berenson's concern now shifts to the Tigers, about whom he admittedly knows little.

"We don't know much about Princeton," Berenson said. "They're not a team that a month ago people slotted this high, but obviously they're on a run."

Despite his lack of information, Berenson is well aware of one thing: Michigan's trouble with ECAC opponents. Earlier this season, the Wolverines dropped a game to Colgate, 2-1.

Though the deep regional is a large hurdle toward the NCAA semifinals in Boston, Berenson hopes the possibility of a home-ice advantage will make the difference.

"If we are to have a home-ice advantage, our students and fans from Ann Arbor are going to be the key for us," Berenson said. "Our fans and especially our students have meant so much to this program. Anyone who comes to Yost this weekend is going to be in for a treat. You may see the best college hockey you have ever seen."

But Berenson was quick to point out that hosting a regional isn't always enough to push a team on to the NCAA semifinals, citing Michigan State in 1994 and 1996. In each year, the Spartans failed to win at Munn Ice Arena.

Even with Berenson's hesitation, Bill Muckalt wasn't shy to say it would give the Wolverines an edge.

"It should be a huge advantage playing in Yost with the fans," Muckalt said. "We gotta take advantage of that, and hopefully get the crowd into it early."

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