WINONA, Minn. — For the first time in school history, the Saint Mary's University men's and women's hockey teams will be taking part in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoffs at the same time.

And, to make it even more historical, both teams will open the playoffs at home — on the same day.

The SMU women's hockey team, making its third straight MIAC post-season appearance — and fourth straight post-season appearance overall — earned the conference's No. 4 seed, and will play host to fifth-seeded Augsburg Tuesdasy, March 2, at 5 p.m. at the SMU Ice Arena. The winner of Tuesday's play-in game will travel to St. Paul, Minn., to face regular-season champion St. Thomas on Thursday.

The SMU men's team, qualifying for the post-season for the first time since the 1996-97 season, also placed fourth in the final regular-season standings, and will host No. 5 St. Olaf on Tuesday, March 2, at 8 p.m. at the SMU Ice Arena. The winner of Tuesday's play-in game will tavel to St. Cloud, Minn., to take on regular-season champion St. John's on Thursday.

Tickets for both games go on sale Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m. at the SMU Toner Student Center Information Desk. Tickets can also be purchased at the arena 45 minutes before the start of each game. Cost is $7 for adults and $3 for students. Because this is an MIAC sponored event, you must purchase a separate ticket for each game and no regular-season passes will be accepted.