By Ryan Stieg
The best part of the CCHA season has arrived. After a long and wild final two weeks, we finally know who everyone’s playing and where at.
I’m glad it’s finally arrived because I need a fresh start. Last weekend was rough as my technicalities had to come into play again, but at least I got my prizes, chocolate souffle and remembering why I love my home state of Minnesota.
Last week’s prizes were simple. This week’s prizes are wacky. I’ve got flapjacks, cereal, peanut clusters, meatballs, and crab meat to choose from. This might be the most unique feast I could ever have.
The question is will I get to partake in said feast and I’m honestly not sure. This conference is very unpredictable. Just when you think teams are playing well, they start to falter. Just when you think they’re on their way out, they somehow turn things around. However, that’s also what makes it the best league. The teams in it may not be national powerhouses or yearly national title contenders, but they always give you a fun ride.
Speaking of fun rides, let’s get started with my picks. Here’s my predictions for the CCHA Quarterfinals.
No. 8 seed Ferris State at No. 1 seed/No. 16-ranked Minnesota State
On paper, this looks like a mismatch. However, don’t be fooled. The Mavericks are good, but this isn’t your typical dominant Mankato squad. Mankato didn’t run away with the MacNaughton Cup like it sometimes do. This time, they needed to win their games and have a lot go their way. UST faltered in the last two weeks, Tech flopped against BG and then Augie was on a bye last week. A perfect storm occurred, and the Mavericks, who have only lost once since mid-January, climbed their way to the top. Then there’s the Bulldogs, who at one point appeared to be on the cusp of missing the playoffs and maybe Northern Michigan would end up getting the eighth seed. However, Ferris started to turn things around in February, and it got points in every game. The Bulldogs also swept NMU at home to lock down their playoff spot. After thinking it over, I think this series is going to go three games because the Bulldogs seem to play the Mavericks tight. The Mavericks win Friday 4-2, the Bulldogs win Saturday 4-3, and the Mavericks win Sunday 5-2.
No. 7 Lake Superior State at No. 2 seed/No. 19-ranked St. Thomas
Right now, the Tommies have to be wondering what if. UST got edged out by one point for the MacNaughton Cup. If it had hung on late against Augustana, it would’ve won it. If they had beaten BG in regulation, it would’ve won it. That game against the Vikings must be particularly painful. However, the Toms can’t dwell on those missed opportunities as they clearly have the talent to make a deep run and win the Mason Cup. It won’t be easy though. The Lakers are a tricky team and they tend to surprise the Tommies at times. They beat the Tommies back in December, but UST figured it out and won the other three games. I like LSSU and I think it’ll put up a good fight. However, I think UST has too many weapons to get bounced in the first round. The Tommies win Friday 5-2 and Saturday 4-1.
No. 6 Bemidji State at No. 3 seed/No. 15-ranked Augustana
Well, the Beavers appear to be moving in the right direction. For about two months, Bemidji went through a terrible stretch where it briefly looked like it could fall all the way to the eighth seed. However, in February, the Beavers did just enough to stay ahead of LSSU and earn the sixth seed. Meanwhile, the Vikings must be wishing they didn’t have a bye last week as if they had gotten some points, they could’ve won the MacNaughton. Now, they’re coming into the weekend cold when they were just heating up. This one is a tough one as the Beavers upset Augie in Sioux Falls during the playoffs last year. I think it’ll go three games, but Augie moves on. The Beavers win Friday 3-2, but the Vikings win Saturday 4-2 and Sunday 5-2.
No. 5 Bowling Green at No. 4 seed/No. 20-ranked Michigan Tech
This one is by far the toughest one to predict. If BG had beaten Mankato a couple weeks ago, or if had beaten Tech in regulation last week, it would’ve won the MacNaughton and earned home ice. Instead, the Falcons are playing the Huskies again in Houghton and it makes me wonder if they ever left the Upper Peninsula, or if they just hung out this week. Meanwhile, Tech also had a chance to finish with the top seed, but it didn’t get the job done either and it barely hung on to the last home ice spot. Now, both of them are bitter and frustrated, so I’m expecting a physical series. I think it’ll go three games, but I’m giving the edge to BG. The Falcons win Friday 2-1, the Huskies win Saturday 4-3, but the Falcons win Sunday 5-3.