Gopher men’s hockey set to open NCAA Tournament against Yale

Apr 5, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston College Eagles fans cheer after they scored a goal against the Minnesota Gophers in the third period during the semifinals of the 2012 Frozen Four at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Boston College won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Gophers men’s hockey team will start the NCAA Tournament next Friday as the No. 1 seed in the West Regional where they will face the Yale Bulldogs.

Minnesota is the No. 2 overall seed in the 16-team tournament, behind Quinnipiac University of Connecticut.

The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday afternoon, March 29 in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will be broadcasted live on ESPNU and WatchESPN.

Minnesota has played Yale 20 times in a history that dates back to 1935. The Gophers have won 14 of the games but the match up Friday will be the first time Minnesota will face the Bulldogs in the postseason, according to Gopher Sports.

If the Gophers can get past Yale, Minnesota will face the winner of North Dakota and Niagara on Saturday to play for a trip to the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh.

Last season, the Gophers lost to eventual NCAA champions Boston College in the Frozen Four.