Penn State Men’s Hockey to Face Michigan Tech in Opening Round of NCAA Tournament This Weekend in Allentown

Penn State men’s hockey has officially made the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history and the first time since 2018. The Nittany Lions will face Michigan Tech at 5 p.m. on Friday at the PPL Center in Allentown, with the airing on ESPNU.

While Penn State’s participation in the NCAA Tournament was already known prior to Sunday’s field announcement, seeding within its Allentown Regional and opponent was unknown. Penn State is technically the No. 2 seed in the four-team regional and was guaranteed to play in Allentown as the host school. The NCAA Tournament field is selected by a rankings system and not a selection committee. Seedings and location are a product of a predetermined process. Penn State will host the Allentown regional again in 2025. Being a host school does not result in an automatic postseason bid.

The Nittany Lions will join No. 1 seed Michigan in Allentown with the Wolverines facing Colgate on Friday night following Penn State’s opening round matchup. The winner of each game will take the ice with a trip to the Frozen Four on the line, Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2. This year’s Frozen Four will take place in Tampa Bay. Penn State beat Michigan just once in four regular season meetings this year, but lost in overtime and scored at least three goals in the two other defeats.

Penn State finished the regular season No. 8 in the PairWise rankings and a 21-15-1 record overall. Michigan Tech finished the year No. 10 in the PairWise, having gone 24-10-4 as a member of the CCHA and finishing second in the conference behind Minnesota State.