By Ryan Stieg
Sometimes the unpredictable becomes predictable and that’s what happened in the CCHA Quarterfinals.
The CCHA is usually known for its wackiness, but last week, all of the higher seeds won their respective series. This was good for college hockey analysts like myself, but at the same time, it was a little disappointing because first round upsets are fun.
I earned my weekly prize last week, which included a wide variety of food. However, I kept it simple and had some of my favorite cereal and some peanut clusters. My all-time favorite cereal, Rice Krispies Treats, has vanished forever, so I had to substitute my second favorite, Reese’s Puffs. I enjoyed every bite.
This week’s prize is simple. It’s National Potato Chip Day on Sunday, so I’ll have to find some at the store and chow down. I don’t have a favorite chip, so I guess I’ll see what exotic flavor tempts me from the grocery aisle. If you have suggestions, feel free to shout them out.
Now we’ve reached the semifinals, which are one-and-dones. For two of the remaining teams, a loss ends their season. For the other two, there’s a slim chance they could still earn an at-large bid, but they would need some help. So, there’s a lot on the line.
Let’s get started. Here’s my picks for the CCHA semis. Both games should be fun.
No. 3 seed/No. 13-ranked Augustana at No. 2 seed/No. 18-ranked St. Thomas
Before I go into my analysis, this game has a puck drop time of 4 p.m., so keep that in mind if you plan on watching. Now, let’s start with the Vikings. They come to St. Paul after dispatching Bemdiji State. I picked Augie to win, but it didn’t think it’d do so that easily. Goaltending is the Vikings’ strength with Josh Kotai being named to the All-CCHA First Team, but don’t overlook Augie’s offense with freshman Leo Bulgakov leading the way with 15 goals and earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team. Then there’s the Tommies, who just swept Lake Superior State. They had a harder time putting away their opponent as they needed overtime to win Friday and then needed a late goal to get a victory Saturday. For the Tommies, offense is their strength. UST has five players who have reached double digits in goals and three that have crossed the 30-point total with Alex Gaffney and Lucas Wahlin having the potential of reaching the 40-point mark Saturday. Wahlin earned a spot on the All-First Team, while UST-assist leader Chase Cheslock and Lucas Van Vliet made the All-Second Team. Van Vliet, forward Nathan Pilling and defenseman Hayes Hundley made the All-Rookie Team, so yeah, the Tommies have a lot of weapons. So this game comes down to this, can a great offense beat one of the best goalies in the league? Kotai is a great goalie, but in one game, I’m giving the edge to UST. The Tommies win 4-3.
No. 4 seed/No. 19-ranked Michigan Tech at No. 1 seed/No. 16-ranked Minnesota State
Going into last week, I didn’t have much confidence in the Huskies as they had struggled against Bowling Green during the last weekend of the regular season and they’d have to face the Falcons again in the first round. Instead, Tech proved me wrong as it breezed past BG and off into the semifinals. The Huskies are balanced offensively with four double-digit scorers with Max Koskipirtti crossing the 30-point mark and Stiven Sardarian getting over the 40-point barrier. Sardarian and defenseman Jack Anderson made the All-First Team, while Koskipirtti got a spot on the All-Second Team. Their opponent is the MacNaughton Cup champion Mavericks, who were the only team that played a third game in the CCHA Quarterfinals as they got a good scare from eighth-seeded Ferris State. Like Augustana, goaltending is the Mavericks’ strength with Alex Tracy being one of the best in the country and earning All-Second Team honors. Evan Murr is also one of the best defensemen around too as he made the All-First Team. Mankato may not have the consistent firepower that some other teams have, but All-Second Teamer Tristan Lemyre and Luigi Benincasa are ones to watch. The Mavericks are at home, which definitely helps, but I just think Tech is playing better right now. The Huskies win 3-2.