The Denver Pioneers are set to begin the 2012 NCAA Hockey Tournament Friday, March 23rd at 3:30 p.m. in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The No.3 seeded Pioneers will face the No. 2 seeded Ferris State Bulldogs. The winner of the Pioneers - Bulldogs match-up will take on the winner of the Michigan - Cornell game at 7 p.m. on Saturday for the opportunity to head to Tampa Bay, Florida for a spot in the Frozen Four.
Ferris State compiled a 23-11-5 record in the 2011-12 season and are making just their third NCAA Tournament appearance. The Bulldogs won the CCHA regular-season championship in large part because of a 15-game unbeaten streak from January 6 through February 24. They were knocked out of the conference tournament in a three game series loss to Western Michigan. Ferris State is lead by senior forward Jordie Johnson, who paces the team in scoring with 18 goals and 15 assists. Goalies Taylor Nelson and freshman C.J. Motte split duties between the pipes. the Pioneers and Bulldogs have faced each other only one time previously with Ferris State getting the win.
Today's game will be televised on Altitude and ESPN3 and broadcast live on 102.3 in Denver. Puck drops at 3:30 MT.