By @MichaelCaples –

CINCINNATI – Fourteen Michigan natives skated in the Michigan vs. North Dakota NCAA Tournament game Saturday night in Cincinnati.

Only one left the rink with a smile on his face, however.

Troy native Cam Johnson, the starting goaltender for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, led his team to a 5-2 victory Saturday, beating his hometown team and earning a spot in the NCAA Frozen Four in the process.

The ND goaltender was named the tournament MVP for the Midwest Region after the victory. Johnson led the Fighting Hawks to a 6-2 victory over Northeastern Friday afternoon – making 24 saves – before Saturday’s game against Michigan, where he made 25.

“It felt nice,” Johnson said during North Dakota’s postgame press conference. “I was excited to play [Michigan] and have a lot of good buddies on that team. It’s always fun playing against your buddies that you grew up with. My best friend growing up from down that street was on that team, so it was pretty neat beating him. Overall, I’d say it was good. I’m glad the boys played well in front of them.”

That best friend is Michigan forward Alex Kile. Johnson faced Kile on four different scoring opportunities in the contest, and the netminder made four saves on his childhood friend during their Saturday night battle for a spot in the Frozen Four.

“That was really cool,” Johnson told MiHockey after the game. “You know, he’s my best friend from back home, so it was pretty neat meeting up against him. We had been talking all year about how much we would like to play against each other in the tournament, so it was a really cool experience. I was glad I got to play against him.”

Johnson said he knows a few other members of the Wolverines’ roster – he trains with Kyle Connor in the offseason, and has skated with or against other UM players. Playing against his neighbor and friend in Kile, however, was extra special. The Fighting Hawks’ goaltender said seeing Kile in the handshake line after the game wasn’t easy.

“It’s tough, because you never like to see your buddies down like that. It was a hard-fought game and he wished me the best of luck, and told me to bring it home. I’m going to try to listen to him and bring one home.”

Johnson said Saturday’s game was a difficult environment for a goaltender, considering how his team dominated in the shots department through the first two periods. North Dakota recorded 24 shots in the first period and 12 more in the second, while only allowing a total of 18 to get through to Johnson in the first 40 minutes of play. The third period was similar, as Johnson saw only nine shots on goal, though Michigan did generate more pressure for stretches of the game as they tried to tie the contest.

“Those are the toughest games to play in, when you’re not seeing a bunch of [shots on goal],” Johnson said, “then they come down and have a few good opportunities, especially when we have a lot of pressure on their guys, kicking them out. You have to stay mentally dialed in, and be ready for whatever comes my way.”

Johnson got the job done, and now, he and the Fighting Hawks will head to Tampa for the 2016 Frozen Four. It’s the third straight trip for North Dakota, and the second for Johnson. This time is different, however, because it’s the first time Johnson is ‘the guy’ for North Dakota between the pipes.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “Getting there last year was an experience, but this year, I’m actually playing, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

MORE: Wolverines fall to North Dakota in the NCAA Tournament