Notre Dame’s 3–1 victory over Michigan not only broke Michigan’s streak of 22 straight NCAA tournament appearances, but it also freed up a spot for the Bulldogs to make the tournament.
Despite being shut out by Union 5–0 in the ECAC semifinal game and 3–0 in the ECAC third-place game, the Bulldogs have managed to clinch a spot in the NCAA tournament and make a run for the Frozen Four and national championship title.
The losses affected Yale’s chances of making the tournament and moved it to No. 15 in the NCAA PairWise rankings, the ranking system used to mimic how the NCAA tournament committee selects tournament participants.
When the Fighting Irish took down the Wolverines on Sunday, they claimed the CCHA title and may earn the No. 1 seed headed into next weekend’s regional play.
Yale is most likely set to play the No. 2 Minnesota Golden Gophers in Grand Rapids, Mich., on March 29, but it is uncertain until the NCAA tournament committee releases the matchups tonight at 9 pm.
Fifteen other teams — Quinnipiac, Minnesota, UMass-Lowell, Notre Dame, Miami, Boston College, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Denver, Niagara, Minnesota State, Union, St. Cloud, Wisconsin and Canisius — have already secured a spot in the tournament.