GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence men's hockey team has officially clinched a trip to the ACHA National Tournament.

The Argos (22-6-2) ended the regular season as the #2 seed in the West Region behind the University of Mary. The top two seeds get an automatic bid to the National Tournament and get to forgo the Regional Tournament.

"It's incredible," head coach Jeff Heimel said. "I can't even describe it. It is so cool. The guys just deserve it. It couldn't be a better group of guys that are going to this tournament. It's really been a fun season."

The Argos spent a majority of the regular season at the #2 spot in the regional rankings. Heimel tried his best not to let the chance at an automatic bid distract from his team's efforts, which got harder as the year went on. 

Before the Mountain West Conference Tournament last weekend, five of the seven teams in the conference were ranked in the Top 7. The Argos had a slight lead over Metro State for the #2 seed and needed a good performance to hold their position.

That's exactly what the Argos did. They cruised past Utah Valley, defeated Montana State and then beat #1 seed University of Mary in overtime off a game-winning goal from Leo Felt.

"For the last six weeks we've been right at that two-spot," Heimel said. "We've been hoping and praying that we'd continue playing good hockey and be right at that spot. We try not to get too far ahead ourselves there, but at times it was hard not to think that we had a good chance of doing it. It started to become a reality as it got closer. After the tournament I was pretty sure we did it. Now it's official."

The Argos will forgo the Regional Tournament, which begins February 27. Once the Regional is complete they'll know their opponent in the National Tournament, which takes place March 20 – 24 in Plano, Texas.

The Argos have two games before then. They'll take on Montana State Friday night in Bozeman, Mont. before returning home to Great Falls on Saturday for Senior Night.