Utah M2 earns birth to 2023 ACHA Regionals

Utah Hockey Posted On February 15, 2023

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February 15, 2023
Salt Lake City, Utah

The University of Utah Men’s Division 2 team has secured their spot in the 2023 American Collegiate Hockey Association Men’s Division 2 Western Regional Tournament.

The Utes finished the regular season with an 18-11 record and secured the #9 seed in the tournament. The tournament will be hosted by the University of Utah and the Salt Lake City Sports Complex in Salt Lake City, Utah from February 23-25, 2023.

Utah Captain Antonio Najera said, “Making it to Regionals is something we are very excited about and was one of our goals for the season. It is the first step to achieve our next goal of earning a spot at the National Tournament. We are very grateful for the opportunity to host Regionals and are looking forward to a great weekend. GO UTES!”

The 2023 ACHA Men’s Division 2 Regional Tournament format is unchanged from previous seasons. Each region (Central, Northeast, Southeast, West) sends four teams to the 2023 ACHA National Championships in Boston, Massachusetts.

Following the release of the final Men’s Division 2 regular season rankings listed below, the top two seeds from each region will receive an automatic berth to the 2023 ACHA National Championships and bypass the regional process. The remaining two teams per region going to the 2023 ACHA National Championships will be decided at the respective Regional Tournament.

“Our team is beyond excited to qualify for Regionals this season and be able to participate as the host of the tournament. When we laid out our team goals at the beginning of the year competing at Regionals was at the top of the list and to be able to make such big strides this season in just our second year at the M2 level is a massive step for our team and program going forward,” said Utah M2 Head Coach Nick Fornelius.

Final 2023 Western Rankings

1. University of Mary *
2. Montana State University *
3. Denver University
4. Utah State University
5. Weber State University
6. Dakota College at Bottineau
7. University of Washington
8. University of Northern Colorado
9. University of Utah
10. University of California Los Angeles
11. Grand Canyon University
12. Metro State University-Denver
13. University of California
14. East Texas Baptist

*Receives auto-bid to 2023 ACHA Nationals

Format

Each Regional Tournament will consist of 12 teams. Teams seeded #3 through #10 will receive an invitation to their respective Regional. Teams seeded #11 through #14 will be filled by conference auto bids. In the event that any of the conference auto bids are not filled (i.e., team has already qualified, unable to accept bid, less than four eligible conferences, etc.), the position(s) in the Regional will be filled by the next highest ranked team(s) within that Region as an At-Large bid.

Overtime format for all games (if necessary):
1. Intermission with an ice make
2. Teams will switch ends (long change)
3. 20 minute 5 on 5 sudden death overtime period
4. If no goal is scored, there will be an intermission with an ice make
5. Teams will switch ends (short change)
6. Another 20 minute 5 on 5 sudden death overtime period
7. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until a goal is score

Tournament Pass Information

The 2023 ACHA Regional Tournament Ticket package is only available online. Purchase today and get all 10 ACHA Regional Games for 50% off of retail. Individual game tickets will be available online and at the door.