Yellowstone Times

The Montana State University men's hockey club is set to compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association's Division 2 national tournament for the fourth consecutive year. The tournament will take place from March 14-18 at the Centene Community Ice Center in St. Louis, with all games available for streaming on FloHockey.

The Bobcats have secured a 37-3-2 record this season and are entering the tournament as the top seed from the West region, which includes over 45 schools. This achievement grants them an automatic bid to nationals, allowing them to bypass regional tournaments. Head coach Dave Weaver noted that while this is advantageous, it also presents challenges due to a month-long break before nationals.

“How do you keep the guys at that top level for a month without seeing a different opponent? It’s almost like pre-season,” Weaver stated. He emphasized that the team's experience would be crucial: “But this group is so experienced. You can't mimic nationals until you're there, and if you've been there, you know what it feels like.”

Players and coaches are preparing for a demanding schedule of five games in five days to secure a national title. Last year, despite winning two out of three pool games, MSU did not advance further in the tournament.

Senior goaltender Jorgen Johnson will make his fourth appearance at nationals since joining MSU in 2022. He commented on the competition's intensity: “It's the top 16 teams in the country, so the tempo of every game is high.” Johnson stressed focusing on each game individually: “The approach is huge for us: not putting one game ahead of another or looking beyond a team or a game.”

MSU's opponents in pool play include Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Ohio University, and the University of Wisconsin—teams they have yet to face this season. The coaching staff has been preparing by scouting potential opponents.

The Bobcats began their season with an impressive win streak and ended with a victory against rival Montana Grizzlies. Johnson's No. 54 jersey was retired during senior night celebrations; he leads Division 2 goalies with his save rate.

Reflecting on his achievements and community support, Johnson said: “It takes a village, and they show up for us year after year.” Coach Weaver echoed these sentiments about community backing: “When a need comes like a national trip, they have always stepped up.”

MSU’s hockey program relies on fundraising efforts to cover expenses such as transportation and lodging for their Missouri trip.

The Bobcats' schedule begins with pool play against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on March 14 at 7:15 p.m., followed by Ohio University on March 15 at 4:15 p.m., and concludes against the University of Wisconsin on March 16 at 7 p.m., all times Mountain Time.