The Michigan hockey season is over.
During their preparation for their game against Minnesota-Duluth Friday, the NCAA notified the Wolverines of a positive COVID-19 test on the team which ultimately meant they would be unable to continue in the Tournament. Also, as a result, Minnesota-Duluth would advance to the next round with a no-contest win.
“I’m devastated for these players. These student-athletes have done a wonderful job all year of making sacrifices to get to this point of the year,” Michigan coach Mel Pearson said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate. I don’t completely understand the final decision but I have to respect it.
“They’ve given so much and to get this opportunity taken away from them, it’s hard to swallow. I know it’s just a game, but it’s extremely important to these young men. It’s two years in a row now we’ve been denied an opportunity to compete in the national championship. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”
Pearson said he wished the remaining teams “good health, good luck and stay safe.”
“Lastly,” he said, “I want to make sure to thank the Michigan Hockey supporters. I’ve been blown away by the number of people who care deeply about and support this program. It truly means a lot to me and to our players. We’ll be back. Michigan Hockey will be back. Stronger and ready to go next year.”
ESPN.com
Michigan Hockey becomes the third team to withdraw from the NCAA Tournament due to COVID-19 protocol. Yesterday, Notre Dame revealed that they would leave the Tournament due to multiple positive tests while St. Lawrence University withdrew earlier in the week due to their head coach Brent Brekke testing positive for the virus.