March 10, 2008
Notre Dame, Ind. – The Notre Dame hockey team returns to CCHA playoff action this weekend when the Irish play host to the Ferris State Bulldogs in the second round of the conference playoffs. The best-of-three series will be played at the Joyce Center with games on Friday, March 14 (7:35 p.m.), Saturday, March 15 (7:05 p.m.) and Sunday, March 16 (7:05 p.m.) if necessary.
Ferris State (17-14-5) advanced to the second round by defeating Western Michigan, 4-3 in overtime and 6-3 in the second game to take the series, two games to none. The Irish (22-12-4) had a bye in the first round after finishing fourth in the CCHA with a 15-9-4 record. The Bulldogs finished the season fifth in the league standings.
During the regular season, Notre Dame and Ferris State met four times with the Bulldogs taking the series, 2-1-1. The two teams last met at the Joyce Center on Feb. 8-9 with the Bulldogs winning 5-3 and then the two teams tying, 2-2 in the second contest. The two teams have met once before in the CCHA playoffs – 1999-2000 – with the Irish winning that best-of-three series, two games to one.
The remaining CCHA series have No. 8 Nebraska-Omaha at No. 1 Michigan, No. 7 Bowling Green at No. 2 Miami and No. 6 Northern Michigan at No. 3 Michigan State. The winners of the four second round series advance to Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich., and the CCHA Championship on March 21-22.
Tickets for all three games of the Notre Dame-Ferris State series are available at the Joyce Center Box Office or by calling 574-631-7356. Tickets can also be purchased via the Notre Dame website – at und.com.