College hockey bubble watch

With the NCAA regionals right around the corner, there are multiple teams that are looking to get the last spots in those regionals.

Some have been good all season, while others have turned it on as of late. The PairWise will determine who makes it to the regionals and will have a shot at the national championship.

Here are the teams that are on the bubble.

Michigan

Michigan currently finds itself sitting at the No. 11 spot in the PairWise and controls its fate. If they are able to pull out a series win on home ice this weekend against Penn State, they will find themselves securely in a regional.

They will have a chance if they lose the series but win one game, but if they want to secure it they need to beat Penn State.

Massachusetts (UMass)

UMass is currently sitting at the No. 12 spot in the rankings. They will play Maine this weekend and, with a sweep, will likely secure their sport. If they take one, they might need luck from other teams, but they will be in a good spot to make it.

Quinnipiac

It’s quite simple for Quinnipiac. If they want to continue playing hockey, they need to win the ECAC. The two likely to be playing in the final will be Quinnipiac and Clarkson. The winner of the ECAC will make it to the regionals, and that will likely be the only team from the conference to make it.

Penn State

Michigan and Penn State will be one of the biggest series of the weekend. Not only will the winner continue in the Big Ten tournament, but they will have a spot in one of the regionals. This means for Penn State, it’s simple: win this series and you're in.

UMass Lowell

UMass Lowell plays the University of New Hampshire this weekend. The matchup isn’t the greatest, as New Hampshire is 21 in the PairWise. They must sweep this weekend to keep their chances of making a regional alive.

Arizona State

Arizona State is on the outside looking in right now. They are getting ready to play in the NCHC tournament and will need to do good in it to make a regional. The best case for them is to win it and get the auto-bid.

Minnesota State

For Minnesota State, it's a lot like the other teams in this range. They need to win their conference tournament to make it into the tournament. Considering they are the highest-ranked team in the CCHA, it is likely they will make it in due to the auto-bid.

North Dakota

North Dakota will need to play great hockey to make it into the tournament; they need to win the NCHC tournament. They have a chance if they can get hot, but playing teams like Denver and Western Michigan will not make it easy.

Clarkson

The final team that we see on the bubble is Clarkson. Just like the other ones down here, if they win their conference tournament, they are in. It will likely be them and Quinnipiac playing for the championship, so whoever wins will find their way in.

There are so many teams sitting on the bubble that could make it in. With only 14 spots available, these teams will be playing their best so they continue to play hockey.

Andrew Matz is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email atm5759@psu.edu.