Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University Michigan Tech goaltender Blake Pietila lifts the Mason Cup over his head after the Huskies defeated Bemidji State Friday at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. The Huskies will face No. 1 Boston College in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament Friday in Providence, Rhode Island.

HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech Huskies hockey team earned the CCHA’s automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament and will open against No. 1 Boston College on Friday. The Huskies and Eagles will play at Amica Mutual Pavilion in the Providence, Rhode Island Regional with the opening faceoff set for 2 p.m.

“You’re playing the No. 1 seed, tremendous team, 30-plus wins,” said Shawhan. “It’s going to be certainly a test, and playing them out in their area, but we’re excited to be in the tournament. Look forward to the competition.

“We have a great group of guys that will compete hard, and the goal is to gain confidence as the game goes on, and show that we belong with them.”

Tech is making its third straight NCAA appearance and is 19-14-6 overall after winning the Mason Cup on Friday night as CCHA Playoff Champions. It is the fourth NCAA tournament under head coach Joe Shawhan and the program’s 16th all-time appearance. Tech won the NCAA Championship three times (1962, 1965, and 1975) and last earned a win in 1981, finishing third.

“It’s exciting,” said forward Tyrone Bronte. “Three years in a row. It’s surreal being in that room and seeing the matchup. We have our work cut out for us, but I like where we’re at.”

After opening the season 0-4-2, the Huskies come into the tournament on the most consistent run they have been on all season, having won five in a row and seven of their last eight games.

“Obviously, it was a rough start,” said goaltender Blake Pietila. “I don’t think we won a game in the first month and then we got hot when we needed to. Five straight wins to win the CCHA championship. So, really looking forward to the opportunity we have here.”

Boston College is 31-5-1 overall and won the Hockey East regular season and tournament championships. The Eagles have won 12 in a row and will be playing 48 miles from their home arena.

Bronte, a senior, feels that the Huskies are playing a more complete game at this point in the season, using a combination of factors to their advantage.

“Focusing on speed, transition,” he said. “We’ve been scoring more goals now on the rush, whereas before you wouldn’t have seen us score many goals on the rush. It was just strictly (offensive) zone play. We’re doing well on the power play, I think special teams, penalty kill, good as always, so, a combination of that.”

Shawhan admits that he expects Boston College to try to exert their will early in the contest.

“I’m sure their effort will be to try to remove any doubt early in the game,” Shawhan said. “Our goal is always to play your best when your best is needed. This is a chance to see what we’ve accomplished with our group.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how our guys, I have a lot of faith, a lot of belief, in our guys, seeing them perform in this environment. I think it is going to be a lot of fun.”

No. 8 seed Wisconsin will play No. 9 seed Quinnipiac in the other regional semifinal. The winners will play in the regional championship on Sunday at 4 p.m. for a chance to move to the Frozen Four at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 11 and 13.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the teams play at the regional,” said Shawhan. “It’s exciting. Happy for our university, happy for our players. Third consecutive year in the tournament and we want to put in the good effort.”

WATCHING

THE HUSKIES

ESPNU will televise Friday’s regional semifinal with ESPN2 carrying the regional championship. Mix 93 WKMJ broadcasts all Michigan Tech games with an online stream available at Pasty.net