The Ferris State University men's ice hockey squad will open its 40th all-time postseason playoff appearance this weekend as the Bulldogs visit Bemidji State for a Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) First-Round Playoff series March 8-10 in Bemidji, Minn.

The eighth-seeded Bulldogs and the top-seeded Beavers will battle at the Sanford Center on Friday and Saturday nights with the deciding game three set for Sunday, if necessary. Friday's opening game of the weekend will begin at 8:07 p.m. (ET) with Saturday's game two set for 7:07 p.m. (ET) and the deciding game three on Sunday at 6:07 p.m (ET), if necessary.

Tickets for the weekend playoff series can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com.

The 2024 CCHA Mason Cup Playoffs begin on Friday with the top four teams hosting a best-of-three, quarterfinal round series to start the CCHA Playoffs. From there, the two highest remaining seeds will host a single elimination semifinal game on Saturday, March 16. The tournament concludes with the single-game, 2024 CCHA Mason Cup Playoffs Championship, held at the home venue of the top remaining seed on Friday, March 22. The winner of the Mason Cup Championship will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey tournament with a goal to win a National Championship.

The famed Mason Cup is named after legendary Lake Superior State, Bowling Green State and Michigan State coach Ron Mason, whose name appeared on the trophy a league-high 13 times. Mason was instrumental in the establishment and success of the CCHA, helping it to grow into one of the most powerful college hockey conferences of all-time. The Mason Cup was first awarded 22 years ago in 2002 and is widely recognized as one of the most prized trophies in all of hockey.

All CCHA Mason Cup Playoff games will be streamed live via CCHA TV on FloHockey.tv.

This year will represent the Bulldogs' 25th postseason playoff appearance in the past 27 years, including the third-straight appearance in the new CCHA. It will also mark Ferris State's 40th trip to the postseason in program history. FSU has advanced past the quarterfinal round in four of its previous eight postseason appearances, including winning the program's first-ever conference postseason crown in 2016.

All Ferris State Hockey postseason contests can be heard live on local flagship station Sunny 97.3 FM and the Bulldog Sports Network with Brody Keiser calling the action. An online broadcast is available at FerrisStateBulldogs.com with pregame coverage starting a half-hour prior to puck drop.

Since 2012, the Bulldogs have made three NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to the NCAA Final Eight all three times. FSU has also won two conference regular-season championships along with capturing the WCHA's Broadmoor Trophy once as the league's Final Five Champion. Along with a Frozen Four berth and national title game showing in 2012, FSU also has reached the regional final and the final eight of the NCAA Tournament in both 2014 and 2016.

Pairings, locations and start times for the Friday-Sunday, March 8-10 best-of-three, quarterfinal round of the 2024 CCHA Mason Cup Playoffs:

No. 8 Ferris State at No. 1 Bemidji State
Game 1 - Friday, March 8 at 7:07pm CT
Game 2 - Saturday, March 9 at 6:07pm CT
Game 3 - Sunday, March 10 at 5:07 pm CT * (if neccesary)

No. 7 Lake Superior State at No. 2 St. Thomas
Game 1 - Friday, March 8 at 7:07pm CT
Game 2 - Saturday, March 9 at 6:07pm CT
Game 3 - Sunday, March 10 at 6:07 pm CT * (if neccesary)

No. 6 Bowling Green at No. 3 Michigan Tech
Game 1 - Friday, March 8 at 7:07pm ET
Game 2 - Saturday, March 9 at 6:07pm ET
Game 3 - Sunday, March 10 at 5:07 pm ET * (if neccesary)

No. 5 Northern Michigan at No. 4 Minnesota State
Game 1 - Friday, March 8 at 7:07pm CT
Game 2 - Saturday, March 9 at 6:07pm CT
Game 3 - Sunday, March 10 at 5:07 pm CT * (if neccesary)