March 9, 2008

Indianapolis, Ind. - Last March, No. 7 Minnesota Duluth spoiled No. 2 Mercyhurst's first-ever NCAA Division I home playoff game by rallying from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Lakers 3-2 in overtime before a standing-room-only crowd at the Ice Center. Next Saturday, No. 7 Mercyhurst (26-7-3) has a chance to return the favor when it tangles with the No. 2 Bulldogs (31-4-1) in a 2008 NCAA Quarterfinal contest at the Duluth Entertainment and Convocation Center.

The Lakers, who won their sixth straight College Hockey America crown yesterday with a 2-1 overtime win over Wayne State, will represent the conference for the fourth straight season. UMD is one of three teams (No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 4 Minnesota) selected from the WCHA. Three others were chosen from the ECAC (No. 1 Harvard, No. 4 St. Lawrence, and No. 8 Dartmouth) while New Hamnpshire is the lone representative from Hockey East.

Head coach Michael Sisti discussed the team's fourth straight NCAA appearance: "I'm so proud of our past and present players and staff for getting this program to where it is today. Our seniors have accomplished so much in College Hockey America and have made the NCAAs every year. This is a wonderful way for them to carry the torch of their predecessors. We are all very proud of our winning tradition here, but we never take anything for granted. Now, a new season begins and we'll give it our best shot." The quarterfinal pairings are as follows:

No. 8 Dartmouth (18-8-6) at No. 1 Harvard (31-1-0
No. 7 Mercyhurst (26-7-3) at No. 2 Minnesota Duluth (31-4-1)
No. 6 St. Lawrence (28-9-1) at No. 3 New Hampshire (32-3-1)
No. 5 Wisconsin (27-8-3) at No. 4 Minnesota (27-6-4)

Wisconsin is the two-time defending national champion. All games will be played Saturday, March 15, at times to be determined.

Mercyhurst and Minnesota Duluth played twice during the regular season in Duluth. The teams played to a 1-1 overtime tie October 20 while the Bulldogs prevailed 3-1 the following day.

This is the fourth successive trip to the NCAAs for Mercyhurst. The Lakers lost in triple overtime 5-4 at Harvard in 2005; lost in double-overtime at eventual national champion Wisonsin 2-1 in 2006; and fell in overtime last March to UMD 3-2 in Erie..