Penn State men’s hockey will face a familiar foe in the first round of this year’s Big Ten Tournament.

Guy Gadowsky’s squad will open the postseason against Notre Dame at noon on Sunday, March 14. The Fighting Irish will have home ice advantage, as this year’s conference tournament will be held exclusively at the Compton Family Ice Arena on Notre Dame’s campus from March 14-16.

NBC Sports Network commentators confirmed on Saturday’s broadcast of Penn State-Notre Dame that Gadowsky’s group will be the No. 5 seed and the Fighting Irish No. 4. That seeding is based on win percentage rather than overall record.

The Nittany Lions’ postseason clash with Notre Dame is also officially slated on the team’s schedule.

Penn State is currently playing its regular-season finale against the Fighting Irish and holds a 1-0 lead at the first intermission. The group fell to Notre Dame 5-2 Friday night in its first game back out of a 34-day COVID-19 pause.

The two sides have played each other fairly evenly up to this point. Penn State won the first meeting between the two in a 2-1 overtime thriller, but Notre Dame has won the last two meetings. The Nittany Lions currently hold a 9-10 overall record and are 7-10 in Big Ten play.

Based on win percentage, other first round match ups include Minnesota vs. Michigan State, Michigan vs. Ohio State, and Wisconsin will have a bye.