Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
There is no question, the 2021 season will go down as one of the strangest ever. However, barring all of the circumstances they faced, the D1 Hockey team was still able to make their way into the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's D1 National Tournament.
 
DU was able to keep alive a streak that dates back to their first season in D1 back in 2010-11, when they won the program's lone national title.
 
Despite having a 3-6 record, DU was able to clinch the no. 16 seed in the tournament.
 
This season, the Panthers were offensively by veteran leadership and newcomers alike. Captain Nathan Nickelson led DU with 13 points, scoring five goals and eight assists in his junior campaign. Next in line, and the only other Panther with 10 points, was rookie Jonathan Dubbink, who led Davenport with eight goals this season.
 
Seniors Jason Cohan and Luke Cowan, who finished with third and fourth on the team in scoring respectively, will also be looked upon to step up and help lead the DU attack in the tournament.
 
WHO ARE THEY UP AGAINST?
 
In the opening round of the tournament, the Panthers are set to take on the no. 2-seeded Robert Morris University.
 
The Colonials have only played five games this season, defeating Canisius twice, and defeating Ohio, Mercyhurst and West Virginia.
 
In the shortened season, Robert Morris' top guns were Steven Ralston and Joey Zottola. Ralston led the Colonials with six goals and six assists for 12 points. Right behind him with 11 points is Zottola, who led RMU with eight assists during the regular season.
 
This will be the first meeting ever between the two teams, and it will take place on Friday at the Maryville University Hockey Center, puck drop set for 4:45 p.m. CST.