North Dakota Ready For Michigan in First Round of the NCAA Hockey Tournament

Two College Hockey Blue Bloods Prepare to Battle it Out in Missouri

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO. — North Dakota Hockey takes on Michigan Friday night in their first round of the NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.

The Fighting Hawks come into the matchup with the eighth toughest strength in the schedule in the country but will face one of their greatest challenges yet against the Wolverines who skate into the game ranked 11th in the nation.

Fifth year senior defenseman Keaton Pehrson played his first four seasons of college hockey with Michigan and is ready to to battle with his former teammates. Head Coach Brad Berry says the team is battle-tested and ready to go.

“When we got the draw, you know, I know a lot of guys over on that team and the staff so it’s pretty cool. It will be fun to go out there and compete against them and you know we’re not going to be buddies out there during the game so it will be fun. This is my new home so we’re going to get the win,” said Pehrson.

“We got 16 teams that are vying for a National Championship right now, all very good in their own right and everyone has the blank slate going in right now and at North Dakota we’re battle tested. We’ve been down this road before,” said Berry.