The North Dakota Fighting Hawks men’s hockey team will face Merrimack in the NCAA Regional tournament on March 26, as teams across the country compete in single-elimination games with a spot in the Frozen Four at stake.
This stage of the season is critical, as every game is a must-win scenario. Teams that lose are eliminated from contention and end their season. By Sunday, only four teams will remain to advance to the Frozen Four in Nevada starting April 9.
North Dakota’s opponent, Merrimack, enters Thursday’s game after an impressive run through its conference tournament. Despite finishing eighth in its conference during the regular season, Merrimack defeated three higher-seeded teams and allowed just three goals over those games. The team’s sophomore goalie Max Lundgren has been a key factor in this success.
North Dakota will counter with freshman goalie Jan Spunar, who has also shown strong performances throughout the year. Another element to watch is fan support; North Dakota is known for having fans who travel well and are expected to provide strong backing at Sioux Falls.
Unlike some previous North Dakota squads that relied heavily on star players like Brock Boeser and Drake Caggiula during their 2016 national championship run, this year’s team features balanced contributions from all lines and positions. The depth of talent makes it difficult for opponents to prepare or match up against them effectively. As the top seed in their regional bracket, North Dakota also holds an advantage by getting last line change during games.
After losing their last game to Minnesota Duluth in the NCHC semifinals, there remains some uncertainty about how a layoff might affect North Dakota’s performance. However, earning a No. 1 seed reflects their achievement of winning what many consider one of college hockey’s toughest conferences—a league sending four contenders into this year’s NCAA tournament.
The outcome against Merrimack will determine if North Dakota moves one step closer to another Frozen Four appearance.
