Early Friday Pairwise Update: All eyes on Western Michigan vs. North Dakota

Photo: Cornell Athletics

It didn’t take long for some chaos to erupt this weekend.

Cornell defeated Quinnipiac 3-2 (in overtime) in the ECAC semifinals on Friday afternoon in Lake Placid. That result knocked Michigan out of contention for an NCAA Tournament berth. It will be the first time Michigan has failed to qualify for the NCAA Tournament since 2019. The Wolverines had made the last three Frozen Fours.

Denver also defeated Arizona State, 4-2, in the NCHC semifinal.

Here’s where things stand with potential NCAA Tournament berths.

First, remember, here are the teams that have already locked in bids:

1. Boston College

2. Michigan State

3. Maine

4. Connecticut

5. Western Michigan

6. Minnesota

7. Boston University

8. Providence

9. Denver (can finish 8-11)

10. Ohio State

11. Massachusetts

12. Minnesota State (CCHA automatic bid)

13. ECAC Champion (ECAC automatic bid)

14. AHA Champion (AHA automatic bid)

That leaves two spots.

Western Michigan controls a lot of fates. If the Broncos defeat North Dakota in the NCHC semifinals tonight, Quinnipiac and Penn State will both lock up NCAA berths.