By Ryan Stieg
The long wait is over everyone. The men’s college hockey season returns this weekend and I’m just as excited as you are.
There’s a lot of questions going into this season. Can Western Michigan repeat? Will the Big Ten finally win a national title? Will the NCHC remain the strongest conference? What will the Frozen Four be like in Las Vegas? Will the programs that are at Division II schools be able to keep up? I’m especially intrigued about that last one.
There’s a lot of games this weekend, so let’s not mess around any longer. Here’s my picks for Week 1 in the CCHA.
Michigan Tech at No. 8 Minnesota
This one will have a lot of eyes on it. Tech had an off year after making the NCAA Tournament the previous three years in a row and got bounced in the first round of the CCHA playoffs. The Huskies also dismissed head coach Joe Shawhan in a surprise move and brought in Lindenwood head coach Bill Muckalt to lead the program in Houghton. On the other bench, there’s the Golden Gophers, who are ranked in the top 10 yet again. However, Minnesota’s loyal fans might be a bit frustrated at this point with the Gophers making five straight trips to the NCAAs without a national title. Minnesota has more talent, but it’s also opening weekend, and teams tend to not be at their best in early October. So, I’m picking a split here. Tech wins Friday 3-2, while the Gophers win Saturday 5-3.
Bemidji State at Alaska Anchorage
Last season was one the Beavers are probably hoping to put behind them. Bemidji struggled at times, but if it had upset Minnesota State in the CCHA semifinals, it would’ve made the NCAA Tournament thanks to St. Thomas being ineligible. So, it was a mixed bag for the Beavers. They start off their year with a trip to the Last Frontier, which normally is a grueling trip. The good thing for Bemidji is that it’s making this journey in early October and not at the height of winter in January. As is the case of the Tech-Gophers series, I think both teams will be a little rusty and it’ll result in a split. The Beavers win Friday 4-2, but the Seawolves gut out a win Saturday 5-2.
No. 19 St. Thomas at St. Cloud State (Sat.)
The expectations are high in St. Paul this year. The Tommies move to the sparkling new Lee & Penny Anderson Arena after four years in Mendota Heights and they’re predicted by many to win the CCHA during their last season as a league member before they head to the NCHC. They’ve got a star in captain Lucas Wahlin, a good freshmen class and a solid goaltending tandem in Aaron Trotter and Carsen Musser, so a conference title is a distinct possibility. First, they’ll have to deal with the Huskies though. Despite several years of consistent success, the Huskies have missed the NCAAs the past two seasons and are picked to finish eighth in the nine-team NCHC. Still, SCSU is a tough team to beat at home, so UST will have its hands full. However, I think the Tommies get it done. UST wins 4-2.
Northern Michigan at No. 15 Massachusetts (Sat.-Sun.)
Last season, the Wildcats had the worst year in program history, so the bar is very low this year in Marquette. Few people expect NMU to do much this year, but I think head coach Dave Shyiak will have a much-improved team and could surprise people. However, the ‘Cats have a tough first month and it starts with the Minutemen, who were one win away last year from the Frozen Four in St. Louis. I think NMU will compete hard, but the Minutemen take care of business at home. UMass sweeps the series, 4-1 and 5-2.
Ferris State at Miami (Sat.-Sun.)
These two teams frequently open the season against each other and it’s a good test for both. After Bob Daniels retired in March, Long Island head coach Brett Riley took over the bench at Ferris and considering he led a small independent program to 20 wins last year, it appears as if he’s the right guy to help the Bulldogs move up the CCHA standings. Then there’s the Redhawks, who have been the NCHC’s cellar dwellers for the past five seasons. Last year, Anthony Noreen took over for the fired Chris Bergeron, and it was a disastrous 3-28-3 season where Miami didn’t win a single conference game. However, the Redhawks should be better, just like Ferris. With both teams looking to turn things around this year, I think it’ll be a split. Miami wins Saturday 4-3, but the Bulldogs win Sunday 3-1.
Lake Superior State at Stonehill (Sat.-Sun.)
The Lakers are sort of flying under the radar this year. LSSU was swept in the first round of the CCHA playoffs last season by Mason Cup winner Minnesota State, so maybe that’s why it was picked to finish near the bottom of the league. However, I wouldn’t count out Damon Whitten’s bunch this year. I don’t think the Lakers will win the MacNaughton Cup this year, but I do think they’ll be in contention for home ice. LSSU opens the year out east against the Skyhawks, who have shown dramatic improvement in a short period of time. However, I think the Lakers get the job done and nab two wins. LSSU sweeps the series, 4-1 and 5-2.