From The Standard

By Bailey Vassalli

The Missouri State Ice Bears sat at No. 17 going into this past weekend, but the Midland University Warriors sat just behind them at No. 18. Midland could have jumped back into the No. 17 spot, and knocked the Ice Bears out of a position they needed for the National Tournament.

But Midland failed to overtake the Ice Bears.

During their third season as a Division I team and first season under the direction of head coach Jeremy Law, the Ice Bears will be traveling to Ohio to compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament.

The last time the Ice Bears saw a postseason trip was as a Division II team in 2015.

“This was our goal from day one,” Law said. “Our goal was to make the National Tournament. To make a goal like this and to achieve it is such an amazing accomplishment.”

Law said, going into the weekend, they knew Midland could have passed them in the rankings.

During their last home series, the Ice Bears took a 3-1 win over McKendree University and dropped Saturday’s game 8-7 in overtime.

McKendree, a Division II team, had no impact on the rankings.

But, the games Midland played could have.

“Saturday was interesting because we played a D II team,” forward Brendan McClew said. “Our games didn’t count in the rankings, but the team right below us was winning their game 4-2 at the time. We were nervous that might bounce them in front of us since we weren’t playing any D I games.

“It was more emotional because we didn’t want to lose on our senior night.”

The National Tournament will take place in Columbus, Ohio on March 8-13.

The Ice Bears face off against University of Arizona in their first game.

“The one cool thing is that we’ve already faced them three times this year,” Law said. “We were fortunate enough to win two of those three games. They are a very good hockey team, and we know who their key players are.

“On the flip-side, they also know that about us. Coaching will play a huge factor into that game, as well as how bad the players want it.”

The team found out for sure at Monday’s practice they’d be going to Nationals.

“(There was) a round of applause and high fives all over the place,” McClew said. “Then we got back to work.”

Now, the team’s goal is to win once they’re at Nationals.

“It’s about winning every game,” McClew said. “It’s do-or-die.”

(Originally published at http://www.the-standard.org/sports/ice-bears-clinch-postseason-bid/article_b3d5acdc-1732-11e8-88d2-c3c205066663.html)