Heading into the winter break, the NCAA’s hockey bracketology blog broke down the midseason bracket and the Nittany Lions are the No. 1 overall seed.
The full post, which can be read here, breaks down much of selection process between the automatic bids for conference tournament champions as well as the at-large bids earned through strong resumes. At 13-1-1 so far this season the Nittany Lions are ranked No. 3 in the nation and have received four first place votes in the USCHO.com poll, a ranking that does not factor into postseason selections.
In the mock selection Penn State would play in Cincinnati against Army West Point. Penn State played Army in the first ever game at Pegula Ice Arena, making the potential selection quite fitting.
To exit the midwest region Penn State would have to then beat either Ohio State or Western Michigan before moving on.
With so much hockey left to be played it’s safe to assume that Penn State’s status as the No. 1 overall seed will be challenged, but it marks yet another notable moment in the program history, even if it’s a bit early to start planning postseason travel just yet.
The 16 team tournament per NCAA.com, conference tournament champions in parentheses.
1. Penn State (Big Ten)
2. Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC)
3. Denver
4. Harvard
5. Union (ECAC)
6. Boston University
7. Massachusetts Lowell
8. Ohio State
9. North Dakota
10. Western Michigan
11. Minnesota
12. Boston College (Hockey East)
13. Notre Dame
14. Cornell
15. Bemidji State (WCHA)
16. Army West Point (Atlantic Hockey)
