In the history of the programs, Colgate and Michigan have only faced off six times. In the NCAA Tournament, the two teams have only met once, in the Regional Final round in Albany, New York, in 2001, which the Wolverines won. The Raiders defeated the Wolverines 2-1 in Ann Arbor on October 17, 1997, for their lone victory over Michigan.
If Colgate succeeds, it will play in the regional finals, which will also feature Allentown, on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. The winner of Penn State and Michigan Tech would meet the Raiders.
How to watch Michigan vs Colgate Men’s Hockey tonight!
Who: Michigan Wolverines (24-11-3) vs. Colgate Red Raiders (19-15-5)
When: Friday, March 24
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: PPL Center (Allentown, PA)
Channel: ESPN2
Radio: WXYT 1270 AM
Stream: GamePass
A trip to the Frozen Four will be at stake if Michigan can defeat Colgate in the first round and advance to Sunday’s matchup against the winner of the No. 2 seed Penn State and No. 3 seed Michigan Tech.
NCAA MIDWEST REGION SEMIFINAL
WOLVERINE BITES
- The University of Michigan, which defeated Minnesota on its home ice to win the Big Ten Tournament championship for a second consecutive year, enters the NCAA tournament ranked second in the country with a record of 24-11-3. (and third overall time since 2016).
- Adam Fantilli, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, has points in 30 of 33 games and leads Michigan and the country with 61 points (27 goals, 34 assists). Moreover, the freshman sensation leads the nation with 1.85 points per game and 18 multi-point efforts. Mackie Samoskevich (19G, 21A) of the All-B1G second team has 40 points for the Wolverines, while Gavin Brindley (11G, 25A), who has 36 points and 38 blocks, and TJ Hughes (13G, 19A), who has 32 points and leads U-M with a 55% faceoff win percentage, also received honorable mention nominations. Dylan Duke scored the game-winning goal for his 17th goal and 29th point of the year to give Michigan the victory over Minnesota last week. Rutger McGroarty (15G, 19A) maintained his impressive second half with a two-goal, three-point game.
- Luke Hughes (9G, 33A), a member of the All-B1G first team, leads the defense unit in scoring with 42 points. Before to his exploits in the Duel in the D, where he defeated MSU with 0.6 seconds left in 3×3 overtime, the blue liner set a record by scoring four goals against PSU in January. Next on defense is first-year skater Seamus Casey (7G, 18A), who has 25 points in 34 games, including two straight goals. Casey was just named to the B1all-freshman G’s team.
REGIONAL ROUND-UP
- In the 87th NCAA tournament game in the history of the program, Colgate University will take on the University of Michigan, who recently won the Big Ten tournament. The team’s NCAA-record 40th overall appearance this year gets off to a similar start as last year’s run as the top seed for the Midwest region in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
- On the other side of the region, No. 3 seed Michigan Tech will take on No. 2 seed Penn State, with the victors meeting on Sunday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Midwest Regional Final.
- In their five previous encounters with the Raiders, Michigan is 4-1-1, with their most recent encounter ending in a draw at Yost Stadium in October of 2000. In their only meeting at the NCAA tournament, U-M defeated Colgate 4-3 in extra time in the Albany Regional in 2000.
- After closing up the season with three straight victories after suffering an overtime setback at Pegula in the opening game of the year, U-M went 3-1 against Penn State this season. In the two teams’ most recent meeting, which took place last year, the score remained 0-0, which was a first for Michigan since 1954.
- The 2022-23 Wolverines had a successful non-conference campaign this year, going 8-1-1 against opponents like Boston University, Harvard, Western Michigan, Lindenwood, and Lake Superior State.
Watch 2023 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey on GamePass
The healthiest it has been all year, Michigan, which has only had two players participate in every game this season, is coming off of two of its best games.
Before to flying to Minnesota and defeating the top-ranked Golden Gophers 4-3 in the conference championship last Saturday, it defeated No. 8 Ohio State 7-3 in a Big Ten semifinal at Yost Ice Arena.
The Wolverines are thought to be a top contender for the championship despite having the youngest roster in the nation and an interim head coach.
More than half of the team’s points this season have come from their 12-member freshmen class, which is led by Adam Fantilli, a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and the top scorer in the nation with 61 points.
