Around The CCHA
Ohio State at LSSU. The Buckeyes come to East Lansing this weekend, but this past weekend they were at the Soo and earned a three point split. The Buckeyes controlled Friday's action 4-1, but the Lakers responded with a 3-2 victory the next night.
Alaska at Northern. The Nanooks made the long trip back to Michigan this week to take on the reeling Wildcats. Northern Michigan took five out of a possible six points this past weekend though winning 4-3 in overtime on Friday night and winning in a shoot-out on Saturday.
North Dakota at Notre Dame. The Irish split a big non-conference series this past weekend dropping a 2-1 contest on Friday and dominating Saturday night with a 5-2 victory.
Bowling Green at Michigan (Wednesday). Michigan ended their losing streak on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory over Bowling Green.
Michigan vs. Cornell (New York, NY). Cornell dominated Michigan 5-1 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
CCHA Standings
| GP | W | L | T | SOW | Points | Total Points Possible | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 76 |
| Notre Dame | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 81 |
| Ferris State | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 75 |
| Ohio State | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 75 |
| Alaska | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 68 |
| LSSU | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 72 |
| Western Michigan | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 77 |
| Michigan | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 68 |
| Michigan State | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 70 |
| Northern Michigan | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 64 |
| Bowling Green | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 63 |
Games This Week:
Friday:
Michigan at Ferris State
Ohio State at Michigan State
LSSU at Notre Dame
Miami at Alaska
Northern Michigan at Western Michigan
Saturday:
Michigan at Ferris State
Ohio State at Michigan State
LSSU at Notre Dame
Miami at Alaska
Northern Michigan at Western Michigan
Nothing but true home series this weekend (no home & home). Miami making the long trip west could be interesting, as Alaska has to be desperate for points after a poor showing in Marquette. Notre Dame is looking to get back to their winning ways in the CCHA - and potentially take over first place. Michigan is trying to find some answers as they play a team that they've historically done very well against - but it's on the road (Michigan has yet to win away from Yost). The Spartans host Big 10 rival Ohio State. Overall, Ohio State hasn't done well in East Lansing. Bowling Green is off this weekend - so they will remain in last place.
CCHA Power Rankings
1. Notre Dame (9-3-0, LW: 1). The Irish picked up a good split this week against North Dakota.
2. Miami (7-2-3, LW: 2). Miami enjoyed the weekend off - now they make the long trip out west.
3. Western Michigan (6-3-1, LW: 3). The Broncos welcome Northern Michigan to town.
4. Ferris State (6-4-2, LW: 4). The Bulldogs look to make a statement against Michigan.
5. Ohio State (5-4-3, LW: 5). The Buckeyes face a tough test in East Lansing this week.
6. Alaska (6-5-3, LW: 5). The Nanooks look to rebound against one of the league's best.
7. LSSU (7-7-0, LW: 7). Any takers on when LSSU sweeps their first weekend series? Or gets swept?
8. Northern Michigan (5-6-3, LW: 10). NMU basically got what they needed at home, but can they carry that over to Kalamazoo?
9. Michigan State (4-6-2, LW: 8). The Spartans look to get back on track this week.
10. Michigan (5-7-1, LW: 9). A much needed win against Bowling Green was followed up by one of their worst efforts of the season. Michigan's NCAA streak may be in jeopardy - but there is still time to turn things around.
11. BGSU (2-9-3, LW: 11). A much needed weekend off as the Falcons look to get something going in December.
Big Ten Power Rankings
1. Minnesota (9-2-2, LW: 1). The Golden Gophers dominated in Vermont over the holiday.
2. Ohio State (5-4-3, LW: 2). A Big 10 showdown this weekend.
3. Michigan State (4-6-2, LW: 4). Spartans only have 8 true road games left on the schedule.
4. Penn State (6-5-0, LW: 3). Reality check: Union sweeps Penn State 2-0, 4-1. An exhibition series against Arizona State (club) gives them a chance to fine tune some things.
5. Michigan (5-7-1, LW: 5). They might be better than the three teams in front of them in these rankings, but they aren't playing like it.
6. Wisconsin (1-7-2, LW: 6). Panic in Madison? Maybe if they get swept in Denver.
PairWise Rankings - It's Always Too Early
Yes, it's too early to look at these rankings, but we're going to anyways..... The only day these rankings matter is after the last conference tournament is played in March.
The Top 16
1. Boston College
2. New Hampshire
3. Dartmouth
4. Denver University
5. Yale
6. Union
7. Boston University
8. Notre Dame
9. Miami University
10. Minnesota
11. North Dakota
12. Quinnipiac
13. Harvard
14. Western Michigan
15. Niagara
16. St. Cloud State
Other CCHA Schools:
24. Ferris State
25. Alaska
27. Ohio State
The CCHA only has three schools (ND, Miami, WMU) in the top 16. That's not good for a conference expected to be one of the best. Though, one could point to all the conference splits as a potential reason. The conference needs to do a good job in its remaining non-conference games to really help out their own RPI and PWR. Keep in mind only teams with an RPI of .5000 or better are considered. Ohio State is right on the cliff at .5071 right now. On the flip side, Northern Michigan (.4936) and LSSU (.4909) aren't far behind. Michigan is 35th at .4887, and the Spartans are 39th at .4730. In case you're curious, Sacred Heart (0-10-2) at .3191 is the worst rated RPI D-I team. Bowling Green is 50th (out of 59) and the worst rated CCHA team. Wisconsin is tied for 55th - the worst rated Big Ten school.
Interesting to look at, but just to look. Don't touch. You'll have to wait for March for that.
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