Gophers earn fourth overall seed, first-round bye

NCAA WOMEN’S HOCKEY TOURNAMENT >> MINNESOTA VS. COLGATE, 2 P.M., SATURDAY, RIDDER ARENA, ESPN+

Opening 22nd tournament appearance, Minnesota hosting Raiders Saturday

By John Shipley

After finishing runner-up to Wisconsin in the WCHA Final Faceoff, Minnesota on Sunday was awarded an at-large berth in the 11-team NCAA tournament.

The fourth overall seed, Minnesota (28-11-1) will meet No. 5 seed Colgate (30-8-0) next Saturday at Ridder Arena after a first-round bye. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m.

This will be the Gophers’ 22nd NCAA tournament appearance, and because the Frozen Four is at Ridder March 21-23, they can win a national championship with three home games. Their last of their 15 Frozen Four appearances was in 2023.

Cornell (ECAC), Penn State (CHA), Sacred Heart (NEWHA), Boston University (Hockey East) and WCHA champion Wisconsin earned the five automatic bids by winning their respective conference tournaments. Clarkson, Minnesota Duluth, Ohio State and St. Lawrence also earned at-large bids.