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VIDEO-Former Vees meet in NCAA playoffs

Close friends will become foes for a few hours Friday.
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Tyson Jost of the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks will face his former Penticton Vees teammate Dante Fabbro and the Boston University Terriers Friday in National Collegiate Athletic Association playoff action. Conor Knuteson/UND Athletics

Dante Fabbro is getting his wish.

Fabbro, a former Penticton Vee, will take on his close friend and former teammate Tyson Jost in the National Collegiate Athletic Association West Region in Fargo, N.D. on Friday. It’s the Boston University Terriers (Fabbro’s team) versus the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

“It’s definitely a unique situation with us being on opposing teams. It’s definitely a game I’ve always wanted to play, especially when we decided to go to different programs,” said Fabbro, who was drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2016 and has put up six goals and 17 points in 34 games. “I’m definitely looking forward to this. It’s going to be one heck of a game.”

Jost said as soon as Fabbro knew they were facing each other, he sent Jost a text message.

“It was more shock than anything. I wasn’t expecting us to face each other the first game,” said Fabbro, after practice Thursday morning.

“After that we kind of laughed about it and then went our separate ways,” said Jost. “It’s all business from now on.

“It will be a good game,” continued Jost. “I’m definitely excited for it. It’s going to be in Fargo so it will be a good atmosphere. BU is a good team, but I think we’re headed in the right direction right now with our team.”

The Terriers are sixth in USCHO.com rankings, while the Fighting Hawks are No. 10. Jost said the Fighting Hawks, the defending NCAA champions, are confident after a successful weekend in which they defeated the Denver University Pioneers 1-0, then lost 4-3 to the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, who had former Vee Hunter Miska in goal. Denver is the No.1 team in U.S. college hockey, while the Bulldogs are No. 3. Jost said the tough loss to Minnesota will fuel them.

“We’re going to be ready to go against BU. We know what type of team they are,” said Jost, who was named to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) All-Rookie Team. “They have a lot of similarities to Denver too. We’re really ready for that challenge. We’re gonna come out guns-a-blazing.”

The Terriers are coming off losing the Hockey East semifinal to the Boston College Eagles. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and streamed on WatchESPN. The Fighting Hawks also feature former Vees Dixon Bowen and Colton Poolman.

Ice chips: The BCHL has 62 alumni competing in the NCAA playoffs on the road to the Frozen Four. Below is a list of the other former Vees playing.

University of Denver Pioneers (NCHC) vs. Michigan Tech Huskies (WCHA)

Denver:

Adam Plant (Penticton), D, West Kelowna Warriors

Liam Finlay, F, Vernon Vipers, Vee

Michigan Tech:

Shane Hanna, D, Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Vee

Chris Gerrie, F,

University of Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Hockey East)

Minnesota:

Jack Ramsey, F, Penticton Vees (Chicago Blackhawks)

Connor Reilly, F, Penticton Vees

Notre Dame:

Chad Katunar, G, Penticton Vees

University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (NCHC) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (BIG 10)

Minnesota-Duluth:

Jarod Hilderman, D, Penticton Vees

Harvard University Crimson (ECAC Hockey) vs. Providence College Friars (Hockey East)

Harvard:

Lewis Zerter-Gossage, F, Penticton Vees

Providence:

Scott Conway, F, Penticton Vees

Western Michigan University Broncos (NCHC) vs. Air Force Academy Falcons (Atlantic Hockey)

Western Michigan:

Michael Rebry, F, Penticton Vees

Paul Stoykewych, D, Penticton Vees

Air Force:

Matt Serratore, F, Penticton Vees

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Former Penticton Vee Dante Fabbro of the Boston University Terriers in action versus Boston College during NCAA hockey in the semifinals of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament at TD Garden on Feb. 6 in Boston, Mass. Richard T Gagnon photo